SKELETONS.-Art of Printing- Agriculture - Newspapers- BOOK I. ON FIGURES. SECTION I. EXPLANATION OF FIGURES. Figures are certain modes of expression different from those of ordinary speech. They have been divided into two Classes, viz., 1. Figures of Arrangement; 2. Figures of Con version. In Figures of Arrangement, the words or members of a sentence are placed in a more lively and emphatic form than that of ordinary discourse; as, "Sweet is the breath of morn," for "The breath of morn is sweet;" "How brightly shines the sun!" for "The sun shines very brightly." In Figures of Conversion, words are turned from their original signification, in order to render a discourse more forcible and attractive. In the expression, "All nature smiles," the word "smiles," which originally applies to the human countenance, is beautifully turned, so as to describe a pleasing appearance in nature. Figures of Conversion have also been named Tropes. The use of figures is universal, being in a greater or less degree as natural to man as the ordinary forms of speech. A poetical and luxuriant fancy especially delights in figures. Judgment and aptitude in their use are most likely to be attained by an assiduous study of the most eminent poets and rhetorical writers. FIGURES OF ARRANGEMENT. The principal Figures of Arrangement are Interrogation, Exclamation, Hyperbaton or Transposition, Pleonasm, Antithesis, and Climax. 1. Interrogation introduces a question without requiring an answer, in order to render the subject more striking or convincing; as, Who can by searching find out God? If God be for us, who can be against us ? 2. Exclamation expresses emotion in a more animated form than ordinary speech; as, How are the mighty fallen! What an endless variety in the works of nature! 3. Hyperbaton or Transposition changes the natural order of words, for the purpose of making the subject more emphatic; as, Fallen is thy throne, O Israel! Great is Diana of the Ephesians! 4. Pleonasm employs a redundancy of words, to add force to the expression; as, I cried unto the Lord with my voice. Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom! 5. Antithesis contrasts words and sentiments, in order to render them more clear and striking; as, Virtue ennobles the mind; vice degrades it. The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righte ous are as bold as a lion. |