emotion thus acquired, by the successive examination of other subjects. Each subject is, in its turn, hyperbolically presented.

53. Prevalence of Hyperbole, and Examples.-From this fact, hyperbole abounds in sermons, orations, and eloquent addresses of every kind. The eccentric orator Randolph, in one of his speeches in Congress, exclaimed: "And what, sir, is debt? In an individual it is slavery. It is slavery of the worst sort, surpassing that of the West India Islands." Could he have meant to be understood literally?

Hon. Rufus Choate, describing what he conceived to be the evils of electing judges by a popular vote, exclaimed: "So nominated, the candidate is put through a violent election, abused by the press, abused on the stump, accused a thousand times over with being very little of a lawyer, and a good deal of a knave and a boor: and, after being tossed on this kind of a blanket for some uneasy months, is chosen by a majority of ten votes out of a hundred thousand, and comes into court breathless, terrified, with perspiration in drops on his brow, wondering how he ever got there, to take his seat on the bench."

However unbecoming the excessive use of Hyperbole may be regarded, it is evident that many of the best creations of ancient and modern times would be sadly mutilated and emasculated, were all hyperbolical expressions and sentiments expunged.

Often writers and speakers assume a style of extravagant expression which is evidently not intended to be understood literally, but nevertheless is felt to be

WHEN HYPERBOLE IS USED.

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much more convincing and forcible than an exact statement of what they really do believe would be. Thus an English writer describes the north-east wind:

"Boreas is a ruffian and a bully, but the north-east is a rascal. It withers like an evil eye; it blights like a parent's curse; unkinder than ingratitude; more biting than forgotten benefits. It comes with sickness on its wings, and rejoices only the doctor and the sexton. While it reigns, no fire heats, no raiment comforts, no walls protect. It deflowers the earth, and it wans the sky. The ghastliest of hues overspreads the face of things, and collapsing Nature seems expiring of cholera."

Undoubtedly many critics would pronounce the above extravagant, as indeed we have seen in some treatises on Rhetoric some of the most impressive hyperboles of Shakspeare and other writers torn out of their connections, and after the life-blood has run out of them, pronounced extravagant and ugly! The merit of such expressions depends much upon the ability and mood of the hearer.

54. Much used in Poetry, Wit, Argument, etc.-Poetry of every kind abounds in Hyperbole, as we shall show when we come to treat of it. Wit also uses it as its most efficient aid, and it is not wanting, though it is generally out of place, in treatises on science.

Hyperbole is often employed in argument, to show the inconsistency of an opponent's position, by imagining it to be carried out into extreme results: the ef fects of alcoholic drinks, for instance, if all should drink; the effects of infidelity, if mothers and children and all others were to have no faith in God. Such a use of Hyperbole, though it leads to the most extrava

gant conceptions, is justifiable, if kept within the limits of a correct logic.

Poetical Hyperbole is an exaggeration indulged in simply for the pleasure of exercising the imagination, and is as proper and healthful as any other mental ex. ercise, confined to its own legitimate territory.

55. Cautions upon the Use of Hyperbole.—Several cautions, however, should be observed in its employ

ment.

(1.) Let it be used sparingly. Like other spice, if excessive, it becomes disagreeable.

(2.) Let it never be employed when a person of ordinary discrimination would not be able to understand its real meaning, or when the language would be liable to be literally construed, and if so, would convey injurious or pernicious sentiment.

(3.) Let it not be used in any production where scientific precision might justly be expected, or upon any subject in which extravagance would properly be considered incongruous and offensive.

(4.) Let it not be sought, but be employed only when strong feeling naturally prompts it.

(5.) Finally, let it not be forgotten that the common and coarser kinds of Hyperbole are characteristics of ignorance, and are more and more discarded as the mind becomes disciplined by careful thought and to accurate expression. It is only the undiscriminating who pronounce some day in every successive summer the hottest they ever knew, and some day in every winter the coldest, the last good sermon they heard the best, and who are constantly using the superlative

degree. Conversationists of this kind soon cease to be credited by their intelligent friends; and speakers and writers who abound in hyperboles are seldom popular long, or if so, are not fully believed even when they tell the truth. Hyperbole, extravagantly used, degenerates into Bombast.

56. Litotes. This is precisely the reverse of Hyperbole. It is a form of thought by which, in seeming to lessen, we actually increase the force of an expression. Thus, when we say, "These are not the words of a child," we mean "These are the words of a wise man." "I can not eulogize such a man," means, perhaps, I despise him.

57. Definition.-IRONY is such a use of language as will convey to an intelligent hearer a meaning precisely opposite to what the language, literally understood, would express.

When the prophets of Baal were striving in vain by cries to induce some demonstrations of the presence and power of their god, Elijah, the prophet of Jehovah, tauntingly said to them, "Cry aloud: for he is a god! Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked!"

58. How Indicated. Of course, in the use of Irony the intonation of the voice must be such as will indicate the speaker's real meaning. In writing, the punctuation should, as far as possible, be made to aid the perception of the reader. Sometimes the intention of a writer to be ironical is not perceived by the reader, and unfortunately the author is understood to affirm just what he meant to make appear so ridiculous that no one would believe it. Some have thought, that the expression of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians xii. 16, is ironical, and should be printed in this way: "Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you