SECOND TABLE. Attributes expressed figuratively." When two attributes are connected, the name of the one may be employed figuratively to express the other. Purity and virginity are attributes of the same person: hence the expression, Virgin snow, for pure snow. 2. A word signifying properly an attribute of one subject, employed figuratively to express a resembling attribute of another subject. Tottering state. Imperious ocean. Angry flood. Raging tempest. Shallow fears. My sure divinity shall bear the shield, And edge thy sword to reap the glorious field. Odyssey, xx. 61. Black omen, for an omen that portends bad fortune. Ater odor. Virgil. The peculiar beauty of this figure arises from suggesting a comparison. 3. A word proper to the subject, employed to express one of its attributes. Mens for intellectus. Mens for a resolution: Istam, oro, exue mentem. 4. When two subjects have a resemblance by a common quality, the name of the one subject may be employed figuratively to denote that quality in the other. Summer life for agreeable life. 5. The name of the instrument made to signify the power of employing it. -Melpomene, cui liquidam pater Vocem cum cithara, dedit. The ample field of figurative expression displayed in these tables, affords great scope for reasoning. Several of the observations relating to metaphor, are applicable to figures of speech: these I shall slightly retouch, with some additions peculiarly adapted to the present subject, In the first place, as the figure under consideration is built upon relation, we find from experience, and it must be obvious from reason, that the beauty of the figure depends on the intimacy of the relation between the figurative and proper sense of the word. A slight resemblance, in particular, will never make this figure agreeable; the expression, for example, Drink down a secret, for listening to a secret with attention, is harsh and uncouth, because there is scarce any resemblance between listening and drinking. The expression weighty crack, used by Ben Johnson for loud crack, is worse if possible: a loud sound has not the slightest resemblance to a piece of matter that is weighty. The following expression of Lucretius is not less faulty. "Et "lepido quæ sunt fucata sonore." i. 645. SECOND TABLE. Attributes expressed figuratively. When two attributes are connected, the name of the one may be employed figuratively to express the other. Purity and virginity are attributes of the same person: hence the expression, Virgin snow, for pure snow. 2. A word signifying properly an attribute of one subject, employed figuratively to express a resembling attribute of another subject. Tottering state. Imperious ocean. Angry flood. Raging tempest. Shallow fears. My sure divinity shall bear the shield, And edge thy sword to reap the glorious field. Odyssey, xx. 61. Black omen, for an omen that portends bad for tune. Ater odor. Virgil. The peculiar beauty of this figure arises from suggesting a comparison. 3. A word proper to the subject, employed to express one of its atributes. Mens for intellectus. Mens for a resolution: Istam, oro, exue mentem. 4. When two subjects have a resemblance by a common quality, the name of the one subject may be employed figuratively to denote that quality in the other. Summer life for agreeable life. 5. The name of the instrument made to signify the power of employing it. -Melpomene, cui liquidam pater Vocem cum cithara, dedit. The ample field of figurative expression displayed in these tables, affords great scope for reasoning. Several of the observations relating to metaphor, are applicable to figures of speech: these I shall slightly retouch, with some additions peculiarly adapted to the present subject, In the first place, as the figure under consideration is built upon relation, we find from experience, and it must be obvious from reason, that the beauty of the figure depends on the intimacy of the relation between the figurative and proper sense of the word. A slight resemblance, in particular, will never make this figure agreeable; the expression, for example, Drink down a secret, for listening to a secret with attention, is harsh and uncouth, because there is scarce any resemblance between listening and drinking. The expression weighty crack, used by Ben Johnson for loud crack, is worse if possible: a loud sound has not the slightest resemblance to a piece of matter that is weighty. The following expression of Lucretius is not less faulty. "Et "lepido quæ sunt fucata sonore.” i. 645. Sed magis Pugnas et exactos tyrannos Densum humeris bibit aure vulgus. Horat. Carm. I. ii. ode 13. Phemius ! let acts of gods and heroes old, Strepitumque exteritus hausit. -Write, my Queen, Odyssey, i. 433. Eneid, vi. 559. And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send. Cymbeline, Act I. Sc. 2, Summer, l. 1684. As thus th' effulgence tremulous I drink. Neque audit currus habenas. Georg. i, 514. O Prince! (Lycaon's valiant son reply'd,) Iliad, v. 288. The following figures of speech seem altogether wild and extravagant, the figurative and proper meaning having no connexion whatever. Moving softness, Freshness breathes, Breathing prospect, Flowing spring, Dewy light, Lucid coolness, and many others of this false coin, may be found in Thomson's Seasons. Secondly, The proper sense of the word ought to bear some proportion to the figurative sense, and not soar much above it, nor sink much below it. This rule, as well as the foregoing, is finely illustrated by Vida : Hæc adeo cum sint, cum fas audere poetis Multa modis multis; tamen observare memento |