(2.) Autonomasia (a trope of the same kind), using the Name of an Individual for the Class to which he belongs." He is the second Washington;" "A Daniel, a second Daniel, come to judgment." How much more forcible than "A wise interpreter of law come to judgment!" Thus a traitor may be called a Catiline or a Benedict Arnold. A mere stickler for polite forms is, in the following sentence from Lord Brougham, called a Chesterfield:

"Should you feel much soothed by hearing that some opposition Chesterfield had taken alarm at the want of politeness among his brethren, and altered the words, retaining their offensive sense?"

When a sharp impression is to be made, use the most definite terms possible. Instead of war or contention, use battle or fight; instead of passion, use anger, fear, covetousness-as the case may be. This principle is involved in such tropes as the following: "All hands take hold," instead of "All men take hold;""Least among the hundreds of Judah," instead of "The small villages of Judah;" "A fleet of fifty sail," instead of "fifty ships;" "The debt was paid in green-backs," instead of "in paper-money, consisting of notes with green backs." The Divine One is, on this principle, designated by one of his attributes, "the Almighty," "the All-seeing," "the Judge." Man may be called "the erect animal," "the governor of the world;" the lion, "the king of beasts;" the ocean, "the great deep." That which inspires passion may be called by the name of the passion, as, "my love,” "my defense."

(3.) Using the Genus for the Species.-Of course,

when the object is to soften an impression, a precisely opposite figure may be employed: naming a broader class, or genus, for the narrower class, or species.

Instead of saying that a man was executed, we may say that he "lost his life," or "expiated his crime on the gallows." Instead of death, we may use the word sleep. "He rewarded his officers with honors," instead of "He made his generals princes and kings." This is often called Euphemism.

(4.) Using the Concrete for the Abstract.-As in the following instance: "When the magistrate was compelled to pronounce condemnation upon his own son, the father was subordinated to the judge, and the culprit found no mercy." Here "the father" is put for parental affection, and "the judge" for the duty of a judge.

The philosophy of this figure is, that definite expressions are more forcible than indefinite. It is more impressive to say, "Three-fourths or nine-tenths of the people demand this change," than to say, "A large majority desire it." Even in instances where enumeration is impossible similar terms are employed for the sake of a vivid impression. "Ninety-nine hundredths of the prosperity of this people is due to their religion."

METONYMIES also may be classified as follows:

(1.) The Sign for the Thing signified.-Sword, for war; the White House, for the office of President of the United States; the epaulets, for military office; red tape, for the difficulties in obtaining the completion of a work that must pass the inspection of sever

al officers; a pen, for literature. "The pen is mightier

than the sword."

like west opened fire

(2) (uv 2 (2.) The Container for the Thing contained.-"The country is jealous of the city." "The army yielded, but the navy resisted." "The mountains may fail, but the prairies will pour out their wealth."

(3.) A Cause may be put for an Effect, and an Effect for a Cause." The savage desolation of war." The cause of the desolation is a savage spirit: here it is transferred to the effect.he heye

In an opposite transference, we may speak of palette death, joyful health, a proud testimony. This is some-v times called the transferred epithet.

(4.) A Man may be named for his Works.-Thus we speak of "Shakspeare," meaning his writings," Blackstone," meaning his work on law. This is akin to personification, to be described hereafter.

Notice the tropes italicized in the following sen

tences:

"Ye grand inventions of ancient bards! ye gay creations of modern fancy! ye bright visions! ye fervid and impassioned thoughts! serve ye all for no better purpose than the pastime of a single hour? Ah! not so; not so. It is yours to stir to the bottom the dull and stagnant soul. Ye can carry man out of himself, and make him feel his kindred with his whole race. Ye can teach him to look beyond external nature for enjoyment. Ye rouse him from the deep lethargy of sense, raise him above the worthless thing we are, and reveal to him his capacity for purer purposes, and a nobler state of being."

Comparisons and Metaphors are nearly akin to Tropes, and, after their examination, further directions upon the use of them all will be given.

COMPARISONS.

87

CHAPTER II.

COMPARISONS.

13. The Foundation of Comparisons.—THE first result of careful thought is the classification of objects according to their common nature, and learning the meaning of those words called common nouns. The child arrives at this knowledge gradually, and for a time is inclined to call all men "father," and if he happens to have become acquainted first with a horse, to call all quadrupeds "horse." As knowledge increases, classification becomes more minute. Thus man is divided into Caucasian, Malayan, African.

By an exercise of the same kind, the mind takes notice of the differences of individuals that can not be classified together, and of the similarities of individuals in some respects, that are yet so different in other respects that they can not be classified together. When the attention is called to two objects that are both alike in some particular, and unlike in others, and the likeness is pointed out, a comparison is made.

14. Definition.-Comparison is the likening of one object to another, from which it also differs in so many other qualities to which the attention is not directed, that it can not properly be said to belong to the same class.

15. Comparisons used to convey Information.-The first object of comparisons is to convey information. Thus: "Aluminum is a metal with a lustre like that of silver and platinum." This describes the appearance of aluminum to one who knows the appearance of silver and platinum. "The soldiers stood like statues, unmoved by the cannons' roar." This simply describes the steady, unmoved position of the soldiers. Nearly all speakers whose object is to impart information make frequent use of comparisons.

This figure of speech, as it is sometimes called, though in reality it is not a figure, but a simple statement of a similarity, is the most common of all modes of illustration, and every writer and speaker should study its nature and power. We give a few specimens of illustrative comparisons, to show the beauty and impressiveness of this kind of illustration.

How sublime the thought in Derzhavin's address to the Deity:

"Yes, in my spirit doth thy Spirit shine,

As shines the sunbeam in a drop of dew."

oth

It will be observed that comparisons are often made without the use of such terms as like, so, as, or any er terms to call attention to them as comparisons. It is easy, however, to see that a comparison of two or more objects is made.

"Before the curing of a strong disease,

Even in the instance of repair and health,

The fit is strongest; *** Evils that take leave,

On their departure most of all show evil."

"As seeds lie dormant in the earth for hundreds of years, and then when brought to the influence of air and light, exhibit their vitality,