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we find this operation, even where the objects are not otherwife related than by juxtapofition of the words that exprefs them. Hence, to elevate or deprefs an object, one method is, to join it in the expreffion with another that is naturally high or low: witnefs the following speech of Eumenes to the Roman fenate.

Caufam veniendi fibi Roman fuiffe, præter cupiditatem vifendi deos hominefque, quorum beneficio in ea fortuna effet, fupra quam ne optare quidem auderet, etiam ut coram moneret fenatum ut Perfei conatus obviam iret.

Livy, 1. 42. cap. 11.

To join the Romans with the gods in the fame enunciation, is an artful ftroke of flattery, because it tacitly puts them on a level. On the other hand, the degrading or vilifying an object, is done fuccefsfully by ranking it with one that is really low:

I hope to have this entertainment in a readiness for the next winter; and doubt not but it will please more than the opera or puppet-fhow. Spectator, No. 28.

Manifold have been the judgments which Heaven from time to time, for the chaftifement of a finful people, has inflicted upon whole nations. For when the degeneracy becomes common, 'tis but juft the punishment fhould be general. Of this kind, in our own unfortunate country, was that destructive peftilence, whofe mortality was fo fatal as to fweep away, if Sir William Fetty may be believed, five millions of Chriftian fouls, befides women and Jews. Ged's revenge against punning. Arbuthnot.

Such alfo was that dreadful conflagration enfuing in this famous metropolis of London, which confumed, according to the computation of Sir Samuel Moreland, 100,000 houfes, not to mention churches and tables. Ibid.

Put on condition it might pals into a law, I would gladly exempt both lawyers of all ages, fubaltern and field

officers,

officers, young heirs, dancing mafters, pickpockets, and players.

An infallible fcheme to pay the public debts. Swift.

Sooner let earth, air, fea, to chaos fall,
Men, monkeys, lap-dogs, parrots, perish all.
Rape of the Lock.

Circumftances in a period resemble fmall ftones in a building, employed to fill up vacuities among thofe of a larger fize. In the arrangement of a period, fuch under-parts crowded together make a poor figure; and never are graceful but when interfperfed among the capital parts. I illuftrate this rule by the following example.

It is likewife urged, that there are, by computation, in this kingdom, above 10,000 parfons, whefe revenues, added to thofe of my Lords the Bishops, would fuffice to maintain, &c.

Argument against abclishing Christianity. Swift.

Here two circumftances, viz. by computation and in this kingdom, are crowded together unneceffarily: they make a better appearance feparated in the following manner:

It is likewife urged, that in this kingdom, there are, by computation, above 10,000 parfons, &c.

If there be room for a choice, the fooner a circumstance is introduced, the better; becaufe circumftances are proper for that coolnefs of mind, with which we begin a period as well as a volume : in the progrefs, the mind warms, and has a greater relifh for matters of importance. When a circumstance is placed at the beginning of the period, or near the beginning, the tranfition from it to the prine

D4

cipal

cipal fubject is agreeable it is like afcending, or going upward. On the other hand, to place it late in the period has a bad effect; for after being engaged in the principal fubject, one is with reluctance brought down to give attention to a circumftance. Hence evidently the preference of the following arrangement :

Whether in any country a choice altogether unexception able has been made, feems doubtful.

Before this other :

Whether a choice altogether unexceptionable has in any country been made, &c.

For this reafon the following period is exceptionable in point of arrangement.

I have confidered formerly, with a good deal of attention, the fubject upon which you command me to communicate my thoughts to you.

Bolingbroke of the fludy of hiftory, letter 1.

which, with a flight alteration, may be improved

thus:

I have formerly, with a good deal of attention, confidered the fubject, &c.

Swift speaking of a virtuous and learned educa

tion:

And although they may be, and too often are drawn, by the temptations of youth, and the opportunities of a large fortune, into fome irregularities, when they come forward into the great world; it is ever with reluctance and compunction of mind, because their bias to virtue ftill continues.

The Intelligencer, No. 9.
Better:

Better:

And although, when they come forward into the great world, they may be, and too often, &c.

The bad effect of placing a circumftance laft or late in a period, will appear from the following examples.

Let us endeavour to eflablish to ourselves an interest in him who holds the reins of the whole creation in his hand. Spectator, No. 12.

Better thus:

Let us endeavour to establish to ourfelves an intereft in him, who, in his hand, holds the reins of the whole creation.

Virgil, who has caft the whole fyftem of Platonic philofophy, fo far as it relates to the foul of man, into beautiful allegories, in the fixth book of his Eneid, gives us the punishment, &c.

Better thus:

Spectator, No. 90.

Virgil, who in the fixth book of his Eneid, has caft, &c.

And Philip the Fourth was obliged at laft to conclude a peace on terms repugnant to his inclination, to that of his people, to the intereft of Spain, and to that of all Europe, in the Pyrenean treaty.

Letters on hiftory, vol. 1. let. 6. Bolingbroke.

Better thus:

And at last, in the Pyrenean treaty, Philip the Fourth was obliged to conclude a peace, c

In arranging a period, it is of importance to determine in what part of it a word makes the greatest figure; whether at the beginning, during the courfe, or at the clofe. The breaking filence roufes the attention, and prepares for a deep impreffion at the beginning the beginning, however, must yield to the clofe; which being fucceeded by a paufe, affords time for a word to make its deepeft impreffion." Hence the following rule, That to give the utmost force to a period, it ought, if poffible, to be closed with that word which makes the greatest figure. The opportunity of a paufe fhould not be thrown away upon acceffories, but referved for the principal object, in order that it may make a full impreffion which is an additional reafon against clofing a period with a circumftance. There are however periods that admit not fuch a ftructure; and in that cafe, the capital word ought, if poffible, to be placed in the front, which next to the clofe is the most advantageous for making an impreffion. Hence, in directing our difcourfe to a man of figure, we ought to begin with his name; and one will be fenfible of a degradation, when this rule is neglected, as it fre quently is for the fake of verfe. I give the following examples.

Integer vitæ, fcelerifque purus,
Non eget Mauri jaculis, neque arcu,
Nec venenatis gravidâ fagittis,

Fufce, pharetrâ,

Horat. Carm. 1. 1. ode 22.

Je

*To give force or elevation to a period, it ought to begin and end with a long fyllable. For a long fyllable makes naturally the fliongeft impreffion; and of all the fyllables in a period, we are chiefly moved with the first and laft.

Demetrius Phalereus of Elocution, fe&t. 39.

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