92 
Proceedings of Eoyal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. 
Stanza XI. A eulogy of these noble spirits. 
Stanza XII. The army of mankind — necessity of leaders. 
Stanza XIII. Leaders, such as the dead man, are sure to be 
forthcoming. 
Stanzas IX., X., XI. are intellectual and reflective, rather than 
emotional ; hence, though not sad and almost despairing, like VI., 
they are sober and serious, approaching the iambic treatment. 
In The Sick Stock-Rider the writer has chosen an iambic measure, 
heptameters and pentameters alternating, with alternate rhyme. 
The measure is used with much skill, especially in respect to the 
caesura, which is used to break the mechanical beat of the iambs, 
and bring in anapaestic effects ; but this is beside our present 
treatment. The element of expansion for emotional effect is 
found in the catch, which is remarkably frequent when the subject 
is exhilarating, while it sinks to zero where there is no liveliness. 
The points on the curve are obtained by estimating in fractions of 
16 the ratio of the number of catches in each stanza to the number 
of lines composing it. In the case of the second stanza, which has 
16 lines, the number 13 represents the real number of catches as 
well as the ratio yf ths. On the other hand, in Stanza VII, which 
has only 8 lines, the real number of catches is 3, giving for ratio 
T 6 g-ths. Similarly with the others. The following is a theme 
analysis : — 
I. Overture. Weariness, brightening into cheerfulness. 
II. Exhilarating reminiscences — “ glorious gallops ” and feats of 
derring-do. 
III. Less exhilarating reminiscences. 
IV. Loneliness. 
V. Less exhilarating reminiscences. 
VI. The philosophy of life — resignation. 
VII. A pleasant grave. 
