RHETORIC. 71 



branch of knowledge. Demosthenes, the greatest of ancient orators, 

 taught much in his dictum, or saying, that action, meaning energy 

 and earnestness, is the essence of Eloquence. Cicero, was a grace- 

 ful, rather than energetic speaker ; but his writings are fine illustra- 

 tions of Rhetoric. Quintilian (or Quinctillian), in his Institutes, 

 (Institutiones Oratorise), gave many excellent precepts*; but he 

 encumbered the subject with treatises on Morals and Education, Law 

 and Politics ; which, however valuable to the Orator, are beyond 

 the legitimate limits of Rhetoric. Longinus, in his Treatise on the 

 Sublime, has well treated a noble topic, which we think belongs to 

 Rhetoric ; and one which has been amplified upon, in modern times. 

 Of modern works on Rhetoric, Dr. Blair's is probably the most 

 popular; but Dr. Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, and Abp. 

 Whately's Elements, are considered the most profound. So much 

 of the latter work as treats of Conviction, we think, with great 

 deference, belongs more properly to Logic. 



We proceed to give a general view of Rhetoric under the heads 

 of Qualities of Style ; Figures of Speech ; Principles of Taste ; 

 Objects of Composition ; Management of a Discourse ; and Princi- 

 ples of Elocution. 



1. Style, in literary compositions, is the manner in which ideas 

 are expressed ; and it refers to the writer's modes or habits of 

 thought, as well as to the choice of words, in which his thoughts 

 are embodied or clothed. All the qualities of style, may be included 

 under the three topics of perspicuity, energy, and elegance. A 

 perspicuous style, is one which expresses ideas clearly and distinctly, 

 and without any ambiguity, or uncertainty, concerning the author's 

 meaning. Perspicuity requires that we should conceive of things 

 distinctly in their nature ; completely in their parts ; comprehensively 

 in their relations; and methodically in their order or place. In 

 regard to individual words, it requires propriety and precision; or 

 the selection of those words that convey the sense intended, and 

 nothing more nor less. Purity of language is often classed with 

 propriety and precision ; but it belongs rather to elegance of style 

 than to perspicuity ; for language may he perspicuous, without being 

 pure ; though such language can hardly be termed proper ; and cer- 

 tainly not elegant. In regard to sentences, perspicuity requires that 

 they should not be too long, or involved ; and that they should suc- 

 ceed each other in proper order and relation. 



An energetic style, expresses ideas forcibly and vividly, so as to 

 stimulate the attention, impress the judgment, excite the imagination, 

 and arouse the feelings, of the reader or hearer. It requires, for the 

 most part, brevity or conciseness, and particularity or specificness 

 of thought and diction. It selects the most prominent points of 

 description or argument, presents them in the strongest light, and 

 with the most striking colors ; using but few words, and those the 

 most distinct and expressive. Energy of style is most forcibly illus- 

 trated, not by a single sentence, but by a train of ideas, rolling on 

 like a mountain torrent, and bearing away with them the judgment 

 and the feelings of those who read or listen. An elegant style, is 

 one that pleases the ear and the taste, by a natural and easy flow of 



