"She wants no prayers of mine. But I do here pour forth my humble supplications at the Throne of Mercy that that mercy may be poured down upon the people in a larger measure than the merits of their rulers may deserve, and that your hearts may be turned to justice."

4th. Adoration. This belongs to the religious emotions, and is generally confined to their expression. In all religious literature, in hymns, sermons, and narrative writings, the language of praise arises naturally and spontaneously. It may also be found in works that belong to general literature, when the theme is closely connected with religion. The hymn of Adam and Eve in Paradise Lost is an example:

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of good!
Almighty, this thy universal frame."

In Thomson's Seasons, the concluding hymn affords another example of the same kind :

"These, as they change, Almighty Father, these

Are but the varied God. The rolling year

Is full of thee."

5th. Desire. In this class may be included expressions of desire, wishes, aspirations, which form some of the noblest passages of literature. All men feel the pathos of David's exclamation :

"Oh! that I had wings like a dove,

For then would I fly away and be at rest;

I would hasten my escape

From the windy storm and tempest."

The choral song in the Edipus Tyrannus of Sophocles affords a sublime example:

"O that it were my lot

To attain to perfect holiness in every word and deed,

For which there are laid down laws sublime

Which have their origin in highest heaven,

Of which God is the father only,

Which perishable human nature has not produced.
Great is the Divinity within them,

Nor ever waxeth old."

6th. Adjuration-oath. Under this head may also be included all forms of oath and adjuration. These are associated with strong emotion, and are not uncommon in poetry and

oratory. The most famous example is the Oath of Demosthenes by those who fought at Marathon, quoted elsewhere.

§ 487. WHERE EQUALITY IS IMPLIED BETWEEN SPEAKER AND

HEARER.

3. Where equality is implied between speaker and hearer. This class includes: 1st, exhortation; 2d, assertion; 3d, denial; 4th, remonstrance; 5th, protest.

Ist. Exhortation. This is common in oratory, particularly in sermons. In general literature it is also found, but especially in poetry. Of this kind are many lyrical poems, among which may be mentioned the thrilling song of Burns, "Scots wha hae." It is common in dramatic literature, of which Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth may afford an example:

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

Or close the wall up with our English dead!"

2d. Assertion. This is an accompaniment of emotion, and assumes many forms, among which the general character is the same. An example of this may be found in Patrick Henry's emphatic words:

"We must fight-I repeat it, sir, we must fight! This war is inevitable, and let it come. I repeat it, sir-let it come."

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3d. Denial is another form of assertion :

Sir, we are not weak," cries Patrick Henry, "if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power."

Another example may be found in a speech of Kossuth on the Hungarian Revolution:

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'They say it is I who have inspired them. No! a thousand times no! It is they who have inspired me."

"Talk not of the property of the planter in his slaves," says Lord Brougham, "I deny his right, I acknowledge not the property."

4th. Remonstrance :

"Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty Power !"-PATRICK HENRY.

5th. Protest:

"Against the bill I protest in the name of the Irish people and in the face of heaven. I protest against the power granted to the Lord-lieutenant to prevent meetings, no matter for what purpose they might be convened. All I ask for my country is justice."-DANIEL O'Connell.

§ 488. WHERE A REFERENCE IS MADE BY THE SPEAKER TO

HIMSELF.

4. Where a reference is made by a speaker to himself.

In writing or speaking, additional force is often given by unusual and emphatic assertion of personal belief, opinion, or feeling.

1st. Direct assertion. This is the plainest form of personal reference, and abounds in oratory. A well-known example may be found in Chatham's fine outburst of feeling:

"If I were an American as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I would never lay down my arms-never! never! never!"

"As for me," cries Patrick Henry, "give me liberty or give me death!" "As for myself," says Kossuth, "it was my duty to speak, but the grandeur of the moment and the rushing waves of sentiment benumbed my tongue."

2d. Excuse-vindication. When a writer or speaker is in any way set on his defence, a personal allusion takes this form. A passage of this character is found in St. Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians:

"Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. . . . Are they ministers of Christ? ... I am more; in labors more abundant."

Byron also gives utterance to the same in passionate lines:

"Hear me, my mother earth, behold me, heaven,
Have I not had to wrestle with my lot?

Have I not suffered things to be forgiven?

Have I not had my brain seared, my heart riven?
Hopes sapped, name blighted, life's life lied away ?”

3d. Apology. This is closely associated with the preceding. It is often used for the sake of giving emphasis. Thus, in Kossuth's speech on the Hungarian Revolution, he says:

"Pardon me my emotion-the shadows of our martyrs passed before my eyes; I heard the millions of my native land once more shouting-liberty or death!"

4th. Disclaimer. Another form of reference to one's self is in disclaimer:

"Perhaps," says Kossuth, "there might be some glory in inspiring such a nation, and to such a degree. But I cannot accept the praise. No; it is not I who inspired the Hungarian people; it was the Hungarian people who inspired me."

PART VI.

THE GENERAL DEPARTMENTS

OF LITERATURE.

CHAPTER I.

DESCRIPTION.

§ 489. LITERATURE DEFINED AND CLASSIFIED. LITERATURE in its most general signification means all the written productions of a nation; but in its stricter sense it comprehends only those writings which come within the sphere of rhetoric, excluding works devoted to learning and science. It is sometimes specified by the terms "elegant" or "polite" literature, or "letters."

A fully equipped literature has various departments, which differ from each other in important respects, and are marked by distinct peculiarities of form and treatment. These will now be considered in the following order: 1. Description; 2. Narration; 3. Exposition; 4. Oratory; 5. Dialogue; 6. Drama; 7. Poetry.

$490. OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION.

Description is of two kinds, referring, first, to objects perceptible to the senses; and, secondly, to subjects cognizable by the mind. To these the names objective and subjective have respectively been given. Although such an application of these terms may be regarded as not philosophically accurate, yet it may be defended, first, because it is sanctioned by the best authority; and, secondly, because there is no other way by which the two kinds of description can be so well designated.