706. CAN (ma) ADVERTISEMENT. THE want of a system of rhetoric, upon a concise plan, and at an easy price, will, it is presumed, render this little volume acceptable to the public. To collect knowledge, which is scattered over a wide extent, into a small compass, if it has not the merit of originality, has at least the advantage of being useful. Many, who are terrified at the idea of travelling over a ponderous volume in search of information, will yet set out on `a short journey in pursuit of science with alacrity and profit. Those for whom the following essays are principally intended, will derive peculiar benefit from the brevity with which they are conveyed. To youth, who are engaged in the rudiments of learning; whose time and attention must be occupied by a variety of sub. jects; ; every branch of science should be rendered as concise as possible. Hence the attention is not fatigued, nor the memory overloaded. That a knowledge of rhetoric forms a very material part of the education of a polite scholar, must be uni. versally allowed. Any attempt, therefore, however imperfect, to make so useful an art more generally known, has claim to that praise which is the reward of good intention. With this the editor will be sufficiently satisfied; since being serviceable to others is the most agreeable method of becoming contented with ourselves, ty in Objects Sublimity in Writing Beauty and other Pleasures of Taste Origin and Progress of Language Rise and Progress of Language and of Writing Structure of Language. English Tongue Structure of Sentences The same subject Structure of Sentences. Harmony Origin and Nature of Figurative Language Metaphor Hyperbole Personification and Apostrophe Comparison, Antithesis, Interrogation, Exclamation, and other Figures of Speech Antithesis PAGE. 101 107 108 113 116 117 118 119 General Characters of Style. Diffuse, Concise, Feeble, Nervous, Dry, Plain, Neat, Elegant, Flowery 120 Style. Simple, Affected, Vehement. Directions for forming a proper Style Critical Examination of Mr. Addison's Style in No. 411 of the Spectator Eloquence. Origin of Eloquence. Grecian Elo 126 133 144 Roman Eloquence. Cicero. Modern Eloquence 150 quence. Demosthenes Eloquence of Popular Assemblies 156 Eloquence of the Bar Eloquence of the Pulpit Conduct of a Discourse in all its Parts. Introduction, Division, Narration, and Explication PAGE. 160 166 172 179 184 195 The Argumentative Part of a Discourse, the Pathetic Part, and the Peroration Comparative Merit of the Ancients and Moderns 202 Pronunciation or Delivery Means of Improving in Eloquence Historical Writing Philosophical Writing and Dialogue Epistolary writing Fictitious History 205 210 211 212 Nature of Poetry. Its Origin and Progress. Ver INTRODUCTION. A PROPER acquaintance with the circle of liberal arts is requisite to the study of rhetoric and belles lettres. To extend the knowledge of them must be the first care of those who wish either to write with reputation, or so to express themselves in public, as to command attention. Among the ancients it was an essential principle, that the orator ought to be conversant in every department of learning. No art indeed can be contrived which can stamp merit on a composition, rich or splendid in expression, but barren or erroneous in sentiment. Oratory, it is true, has often been disgraced by attempts to establish a false criterion of its value. Writers have endeavoured to supply want of matter by graces of composition; and courted the temporary applause of the ignorant instead of the lasting approbation of the discerning. But such imposture must be short and transitory. The body and substance of any valuable composition must be formed of knowledge and science.-Rhetoric completes the structure, and adds the polish; but firm and solid bodies only are able to receive it. Among the learned it has long been a contested, and remains still an undecided question, whether nature or art contribute most toward excellence in writing and discourse. Various may be the opinions with respect to the manner in which art can most effectually furnish aid for such a purpose; and it were presumption to assert, that rhetorical rules, how just soever, are sufficient to form an orator. Private application and study, supposing natural genius to be favourable, are certain ly superior to any system of public instruction. But though rules and instructions cannot effect every thing which is requisite, they may be of considerable use. |