L.ECT U RE XV.

I E C

XV.

META P H O R.

AF' TER the preliminary observations I havemade, relating to Figurative Language in ge-neral , I come now to treat Separately of fuchFigures of Speech, as occur moft frequently,and require particular attention: and I beginwith Metaphor . This is a figure founded en-tirely on the refemblance which one object bearsto another. Hence , it is much allied to Simile,or Companion; and is indeed no other than acomparifon, expreffed in an abridged form.When I fay of fome great miniPcer, “that he“ upholds the fhite, like a pillar which Supports“ the weight of a whole edifice,” Tfairly makea comparifon; but when I fay of Such a minifter,“ that he is the Pillar of the Rate,” it is nowbecome a Metaphor . The comparifon betwixtthe Minifler and a Pillar, is made in the mind;but is expreffed without any of the words thatdenote comparifon. The comparifon is onlyinlxnuated, not expreffed: the one objeff is