6

GEN. CHARACTERS OF STYLE

L e c t. and ufeful obfervations, I have no more to add*XVIII. on this fubject, except this admonition.

In the fourth place , that without a geniusfor Figurative Language , none fhould attemptit. Imagination is a power not to- be acquired ;it muft be derived from nature. Its redundancieswe may prune, its deviations we may correct, itsfphere we way enlarge; but the faculty itfelf wccannot create: and all efforts towards a metapho-rical ornamented ftyle, if we are deftitute of the-proper genius for it, will prove awkward anddifgufting. Let us fatisfy ourfelves, however, byconfidering, that without this talent, or at leaftwith a very fmall meafure of it, we may bothwrite and fpeak to advantage. Good fenfe,clear ideas, perfpicuity of language, and properarrangement of words and thoughts, will alwayscommand attention. Thefe are indeed the founda-

“ and therefore continually firing together fucli ornaments;

“ which is juft as ridiculous, where -there is no fentiment“ to fupport them , as to contrive geftures and dreffes for“ what wants a body. Even thofe figures which a fubject“ admits, muft not come too thick. "We muft begin,u with confidering what the occafion, the time ., and theu perfon who fpeaks, render proper. t For the object aimed“ at by the greater part of thefe figures, is entertainment.

“ But when the fubject becomes deeply ferious and ftrong“ paflions are to be moved , who can bear the orator,“ who, in affected language and balanced phrafes, en-“ deavours to exprefs wrath, commiferation ,. or eame.fl ;“ intreaty ? On all fuch occafions , a folicitous attention to“ \vords weakens paffion ; and when fo. much art is“ lb own, there is fufpefted to be little iincerity.”