Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

It is of the utmost importance to mankind, that positions of this tendency should be laid open and confuted ; for while men consider good and evil as springing from the same road, they will spare the one for the sake of the other; and in judging, if not of others, at least of themselves, will be apt to estimate their virtues by their vices. To this fatal error, all those will contribute, who confound the colours of right and wrong, and instead of helping to settle their boundaries, mix them with so much art, that no common mind is capable to disunite them.

'In narratives where historical veracity has no place, I cannot discover why there should not be exhibited the most perfect idea of virtue; of virtue not angelical, nor above probability; for what we cannot credit we shall never imitate; but of the highest and purest kind that humanity can reach ; which, when exercised in such trials as the various revolutions of things shall bring upon it, may, by conquering some calamities, and enduring others, teach us what we may hope, and what we can perform. Vice, for vice is necessary to be shewn, should always disgust, nor should the graces of gaiety, or the dignity of courage, be so united with it, as to reconcile it to the mind. Wherever it appears, it should raise hatred by the malignity of its practices, and contempt by the meanness of its stratagems: for while it is supported by either parts or spirit, it will be seldom heartily abhored. The Roman tyrant was content to be hated, if he was but feared; and there are thousands of the readers of romances willing to be thought wicked, if they may be al.

lowed to be wits. It is therefore to be always inculcated, that virtue is the highest proof of a superior understanding, and the only solid basis of greatness; and that vice is the natural consequence of narrow thoughts; that it begins in mistake, and ends in ignominy?

Dr. Blair has also expressed an opinion of the utility which may be derived from this mode of writing, though he does not, perhaps, discover altogether the same discrimination as to the manner in which this may be effected.

'Fictitious histories might be employed for very use. ful purposes. They furnish one of the best channels for conveying instruction, for painting human life and manners, for shewing the errors into which we are betrayed by our passions, for rendering virtue amiable, and vice odious. The effect of well-contrived stories towards accomplishing these purposes, is stronger than any effect that can be produced by simple and naked instruction; and hence we find, that the wisest men in all ages have more or less employed fables and fictions, as the vehicles of knowledge. These have ever been the basis of Epic and Dramatic poetry. It is not, therefore, the nature of this sort of writing considered in it. self, but the faulty manner of its execution that can ex pose it to any contempt.'

Note [c] referred to in page 59.

The great actions performed by the heroes of the Iliad are generally by means of extraordinary assistance from some of the powers above. A striking instance of the same thing occurs at the close of the eighth book of the Æneid, where Virgil gives a description of the battle of Actium. This, we may observe, was designed as a direct piece of flattery to Augustus. By what means then does he obtain this victory, and with it the empire of the word? Is it by some splendid and unparalleled display of wisdom and valour? No: It is Apollo, who bends his bow from on high.

Omnis eo terrore Egyptus ct Indi,

Omnis Arabs, omnes vertere terga Sabei..

ON CERTAIN EFFECTS OF RHYME IN

POETICAL COMPOSITION.

RHYME is a practice which has at once been very generally adopted by the poets, and condemned by the critics, of modern times. By its enemies it has been loaded with every kind of abuse, and but feebly defended even by its warmest advocates. It is not meant to enter here into any discussion of its general merits. I shall confine myself to one charge which has been generally con-sidered as wholly unanswerable. Rhyme is supposed to be altogether unmeaning, and to afford no pleasure but that which arises. from the mere jingle of similar endings. Upon closer examination, however, we shall perhaps find, that this charge is unfounded;

and that rhyme possesses, in fact, a great variety of expression.

Lord Kaimes, so far as I know, was the first writer who took notice of the expression of rhyme. After treating, at some length, on this subject, he concludes its natural effect to be that of giving to the verse a moderate degree of liveliness and gaiety. Mr. Stewart, on the other hand, has observed, that it sometimes tends to produce a melancholy impression. These remarks, however opposite, appear to me to be both wellfounded, and applicable to different circumstances, according to the following general

law.

Rhymes which follow each other in quick succession, inspire cheerfulness and gaiety: a great interval between them, on the contrary, tends to produce a sedate, serious, and even melancholy impression. The degree in which these effects are produced, is in proportion to the greatness or smallness of the interval.'

* Elements of Criticism, Vol. II. p. 169–176.

Philosophy of the Human Mind, Note, p. 301. 4to edit.

« PredošláPokračovať »