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BOOK III.

ON THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES, THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PERSPICUITY, AND THE

HARMONY OF

PERIODS.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE NATURE OF SENTENCES AND PERIODS.

125. HITHERTO we have investigated the nature of words detached and unconnected, in the same manner as an architect selects and prepares the materials of an edifice. We are now, like the same artist, to delineate the plan of execution, or to point out the most proper conjunction and adaptation of the materials to accomplish the end

in view.

Obs. As the best materials for building will not form a convenient and elegant habitation, unless they are adjusted on a proper plan, so the purest and best chosen words will not constitute a perspicuous and beautiful sentence, unless they are properly arranged. But before we take up this branch of the subject, it is requisite to premise some observations on the nature of sentences and periods, and to unfold the principles which should regulate their composition. (§ IX. Cor. p. 69.)

126. The terms sentence and period are nearly synonymous, both denoting the quality of words or members comprehended between two full points, in writing or printing; and conveying a complete sense of themselves, independent of the words that either precede or follow them. (Illus. 2. Art. 130. and 139.)

Illus. 1. Both the sentence and the period may consist of subdivisions, clauses, or members; which are commonly separated from one another; those more closely connected, by commas, those more slightly, by semicolons.

2. In every sentence or period, there must be an agent, an action, and a subject on which the agent operates; that is, in the language of grammarians, there must be a nominative, a verb, and an accusative; as, "Cæsar amavit Juliam," """Alexander conquered Darius ;" unless the verb be of the class called instransitive, which requires no subject to act upon, the action being exhausted on the agent; as, "Cicero declaimed."

127. If there be two classes of agents, actions, and subjects in the sentence, one class depending on the other, the sentence will consist of two members, which are commonly separated from one another by a comma. (Illus. 3. Art. 130. and 137.)

Illus. 1. "If Julius Cæsar had employed as much policy and cruelty as Augustus, he might have prevented the conspiracy formed against

his life.'

128. If there be three classes of agents, actions, and subjects, the sentence will consist of three members, separated by semicolons.

Illus. "If Julius Cæsar had employed as much policy and cruelty as Augustus; if he had proscribed every suspicious person under his government; he might have prevented the conspiracy formed against his life."

129. If there be four classes of agents, actions, and subjects, the sentence will consist of four members, separated by semicolons.

Illus. "If Julius Cæsar had employed as much cruelty and policy as Augustus; if he had proscribed every suspicious person under his government; he might have prevented the conspiracy formed against his life; and he might have lived, like that Emperor, to old age, flattered, obeyed, and adored by the Roman people."

Corol. Hence it is apparent, that though the presence of an agent, an action, and a subject, be requisite to constitute a member, yet they do not prohibit the attendance of explanatory words, particularly of adjectives or participles, which denote some quality or property of the agent or the subject. Accordingly, in the last member of the last example," he might have lived, like that Emperor, to old age, flattered, obeyed, and adored by the Roman people;" the participles flattered, obeyed, adored, encroach not on the unity of the member, but tend merely to modify or illustrate its principal parts. (See Illus. 2. Art. 119.)

130. When a sentence contains one member only, it is called simple; when it contains more members than one, it is called complex; when it contains three, four, or more members, it generally takes the name of period. (Art. 139.)

Illus. 1. The ancient rhetoricians applied the name of period to all complex sentences, consisting of two or more members, but most frequently to those of four members. "Habet," says Quinctilian, " periodus membra minimum duo. Medius numerus videtur quatuor, sed recipit frequenter et plura."

2. To the period, according to Cicero, were given the different names of ambitus, circuitus, comprehensio, continuatio, circumscriptio, which seem all to have been derived from the Greek appellation, περίοδος.

3. To simple sentences were given the names of commata, articuli, incise; the same names by which were denoted the members of peri

ods; because, perhaps, they coincided with them, in containing an agent, an action, and a subject.

131. SIMPLE SENTENCES are best adapted to express the controversial and reprehensive parts of an oration. The period is adapted to the more splendid and pathetic parts, particularly the introduction and the peroration.

132. A sentence is the smallest quantity of words which can express one entire proposition; that is, which can exhibit an agent as performing some action, or which can convey the affirmation of some truth. (Illus. 3. Art. 130.)

Illus. If, for example, the verb be intransitive, and be preceded by its nominative, a proposition will be expressed and a sentence will be formed; because an agent will be represented as performing an action, and a complete meaning will be communicated. "The sun rises;" ;” “the morning lowers ;" "I eat, drink, walk," &c.

133. But if the verb be transitive, the nominative and the verb will not form a sentence, a proposition, or a complete sense; because a subject will be wanting, on which the action must be exerted.

Illus. 1. Thus the words, Cato killed, Cicero banished, exhibit inefficient actions, and incomplete senses. They leave the mind totally in suspense, till the subjects are subjoined on which the actions, killed, and banished, are exerted.

2. But if we say, Cato killed himself, Cicero banished Catiline, we present entire sentences, and communicate knowledge and information.

3. Again, if I assert, "that the three angles of a triangle are equal to," I exhibit an incomplete proposition, or an imperfect affirmation, till I add the words," two right angles," which furnish an entire affirmation, and a perfect proposition.

Corol. Hence it appears that the essence of a sentence is, to convey one proposition, and one only; that it generally contains an agent, an action, and a subject, and must contain an agent, and an action. This constitutes what is called the unity of a sentence. (Art. 149.)

134. In constructing COMPLEX SENTENCES, which consist of different classes of agents, actions, and subjects, the unity will be preserved, and only one proposition, with all its circumstances, will be expressed, if such sentences, however complex, be properly composed. To accomplish this end, the different members of a simple sentence, or the dif ferent classes of agents, actions, and subjects, so depend on one another, that the sense is not fully communicated, till they are all properly arranged and conjoined. (Art. 133. Illus. 3.)

Illus. 1. The following member, for instance, " If virtue constitutes the supreme good," conveys no complete sense, and the hearer continues in suspense, till it is added, "all wise men will prefer it to

every other acquisition;" when the sentence, thus completed, exhibits two classes of agents, actions, and subjects, but contains only one full meaning, or one proposition.

2. Again," If virtue constitutes the supreme good; if it can communicate the most substantial comfort and support;" still these two members leave the sense imperfect, and the mind hesitates, till it is added, "all wise men will prefer it to every other acquisition;" this completes both the proposition and the meaning.

3. The inconclusive members may be farther augmented: "If virtue constitutes the supreme good; if it can communicate the most substantial comfort and support; if it can procure the approbation of all good men in this world, and the favour of heaven hereafter;" still the sense is incomplete, till the efficient member is subjoined, "all wise men will prefer it to every other acquisition;" which produces an entire proposition, fully satisfies the mind, and preserves the unity of the period. (Corol. Art. 133.)

Corol. From these observations it is apparent, that the unity of a sentence is not impaired by its length, and that it will naturally be longer or shorter as the leading agent or member is attended with more or fewer dependent or explanatory agents, or members. No more members must ever be accumulated than are consistent with unity and perspicuity; but neither should the meaning nor the cadence be interrupted by a frequent recurrence of abrupt sentences of one or two members. The sense is the main regulating principle of the length; the sound is only a secondary consideration; if, however, the former be preserved, the latter may be consulted, by a variety of modulation as great as possible. (Scholium, Art. 138.)

135. SHORT SENTENCES impart animation and energy to style. They are contrasts to periods, they are simple and perspicuous, and the ideas which they convey are usually lively, forcible, or dignified. They are also employed chiefly to deliver maxims of wisdom and sublime sentiments, which, supported by their natural importance and elevation, spurn the pomp and ornaments of language. (Art. 142.)

Obs. The intermediate sentences of two or three members participate the vivacity of short sentences, or the force and cadence of periods, according as they approach nearer to the one or the other. Their business is to convey the greater part of the sentiments which occur in the course of a long work, and which can be neither very lively nor very forcible.

136. All complex sentences are not equally connected, nor are their members equally dependent on one another. The members are often conjoined by a simple copulation, and the relation, in respect of meaning, amounts to little more than juxta-position. They contain different views of the same thought; or the succeeding members explain, illustrate, extend, or restrict the preceding. (Art. 134.)

Illus. The following example will elucidate these remarks.

"Eve

ry one is in some measure master of the art which is generally distinguished by the name of physiognomy, and naturally forms to himself the character or fortune of a stranger, from the features and lineaments of his face."* Expunge the copulative, resume the agent every one, and two complete sentences will appear; so loose is the connexion. (See Art. 121.)

137. Sentences, also, which contain the correspondent conjunctions, seldom admit more than two members. (See Art. 127.)

Example. "As the secrets of the Ugly Club were exposed to the public, that men might see there were some noble spirits in the world, who were not displeased with themselves upon considerations they had no choice in; so the discourse concerning idols tended to lessen the value which people put upon themselves for personal accomplishments, and gifts of nature." The reader need not be told, that the conjunc

tions here are, as and so.

138. THE FULL PERIOD of several members possesses most dignity and modulation, and conveys also the greatest degree of force, by admitting the closest compression of thought. The members are generally conditional, and denote supposition or contrast.

Illus. 1. By supposition is understood, that the preceding members furnish a foundation, on which the conclusion is built; or that they operate as a climax, by which it is raised to the highest elevation.

2. By contrast is understood, that the preceding members are opposed to the concluding member, which, notwithstanding, possesses such energy, that the contrast takes place with irresistible effect.

3. If, besides, such periods are properly constructed; if the memhers are so formed, as to swell one above another in sound, as well as in sentiment; the impression will become so exceedingly powerful, as not to escape the most inattentive observer.

Example 1. Cicero supplies a beautiful period of the former species, in his oration for the Manilian law. "Quare cum et bellum ita necessarium sit, ut neglegi non possit; ita magnum, ut accuratissime sit administrandum; et cum si imperatorem præficere possitis, in quo sit eximia belli scientia, singularis virtus, clarissima auctoritas, egregia fortuna; dubitabitis, Quirites, quin hoc tantum boni, quod vobis a diis immortalibus oblatum et datum est, in rempublicam conservandam atque amplificandam conferatis."

Illus. The members present a striking gradation in the sentiment. The war is absolutely necessary, and of great magnitude; Pompey is the greatest, the bravest, the most successful general; he must therefore be preferred, to secure the favour of the gods, and the safety of the empire. An analogous elevation is discernible in the sound. The members rise above one another, both in length and modulation. The pleasure of the ear powerfully concurs to recommend and impress the

sense.

Example 2. The subsequent period will supply an example of the latter species. Though the people should riot, and project insur

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