2. Of synecdoche. "A hundred hands were busy then." The word hands is used for the whole person, because this was the part of the person with which the activity was associated; the hands were the effective part.

65. For illustrative value, use simile.

It is of great aid to the clear conception of any object or idea to say it is like something else, something better known or more vividly realized in mind. This is the simplest and most direct way of connoting an idea with something else.

EXAMPLE. -"We may liken the precipitation of the northern barbarians upon the expiring Roman Empire to the heaping of fresh fuel upon a dying fire; for a time it burns lower, and seems almost extinguished, but soon it bursts through the added fuel, and flames up with redoubled energy and ardor."

66. For trenchant assertion, use interro · gation.

It gives much strength to an assertion, when its truth is perfectly certain, to put it in the form of a question; it is as if the reader were challenged to gainsay it. Interrogation, as a figure of speech, asks a question not in order to get an answer, but as implying strongly the opposite of what is asked.

EXAMPLES. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Implication, too strong to put in simple assertion- He shall.)— "Your fathers, where are they? (implication - no traceable where) and the prophets, do they live for ever?" (implication-no.) Note that any answer that can be supplied seems weak, the implication having so much more life.

67. For lively realization, use exclamation.

It connotes active and vivid feeling if, instead of saying tamely "It is a fine morning," we hold it up to contemplate, as it were, and say, "What a morning!" or if instead of saying, "This is indeed a beautiful view," we

say, "Beautiful!" It is the feeling, therefore, that produces the exclamation, not the exclamation that produces the feeling; hence in using this figure the writer needs to be sure there is emotion enough to justify and impel it.

NOTE.

For this reason it is in hazardous taste to begin a piece, as some do, with exclamation; the reader is not worked up to the emotion yet, and the effect on him is liable to be either of bombast or of sentimentalism. To be natural, exclamation must seem to come

unsought.

68. For vigor of conception, know the value of hyperbole.

Hyperbole consists in overstating some quality or characteristic of an object, the reader understanding that

it is the lively vigor of realization that gives rise to the exaggeration. The figure is much used in description of things or acts, and not infrequently has a humorous effect.

EXAMPLES. "He was the ugliest of the sons of men.' "The coat was a mile too large for him.". "His portly form displays an acre of glossy shirt front, with a diamond as large as a goose egg." Nobody is misled by such exaggerations as these; and, tastefully used, they vivify the descriptive effect as hardly anything else could.

69. To make one idea set off another, use antithesis.

When one idea is contrasted to another both are brought out into greater prominence; they enliven each other. Antithesis, or contrast, like climax (compare Rule 54), is one of the great constructive principles of literature; it is produced not only in the structure of phrases and sentences but also in larger ways, in contrasted moods, characters, and scenes.

EXAMPLES. "I thought this man had been a lord among wits, but I find he is only a wit among lords.". "Better to reign in hell (says Satan in Paradise Lost) than serve in heaven."

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When the contrast consists in giving very briefly the opposite of what the reader would expect, it is called. Epigram.

"You are not

EXAMPLES. "Verbosity is cured by a wide vocabulary" (not by a small one, as you would naturally think). To say, vicious, you are virtuous," is antithesis; to say, "You are not vicious, you are vice" is epigram. The unexpected turn gives its character.

II.

Exercises in giving Life to Style. -Life in style is so eminently a quality of the person that no one can say another must write in figures, or use any particular device to enliven what he writes. All that can be attempted here is to show by means of exercises how a figurative manner of expression may improve one's style.

1. Amend the following sentences as directed:

There has been a slow rain all day, and the streets are full of thin mire. (More descriptive effect.)

As feudal lord he could muster fifteen hundred men armed with spears. (Utilize serviceable part of the term.)

Truly, it is great folly to trust such extravagant professions. (More lively realization.)

A young chaplain had preached a sermon of great length. Lord Mulgrave, bowing to him, said there were some things in the sermon that he had never heard before. The flattered chaplain remarked that it was a common text and that he could not hope to have said anything new on the subject. At which Lord Mulgrave said that he heard the clock strike twice. (Give more life to the discourse.)

With eyes and faculties for working in the light, he chooses rather to indulge in evil. (Make one member set off the other.)

A varnish of morality makes his actions palatable, (Examine the figure.)

The noises of the city, voices, bells, and marching feet, fall together in my ears like (Complete the expression.) This is an event of great importance to all the country. (More descriptive effect.)

You are a veritable

for ferreting out the secret happen

ings of the neighborhood. (Supply descriptive name.)

The whole poorly constructed building came falling down, and several persons were deprived of life in the ruins. (More descriptive effect.)

As he reached the deserted house he saw unmistakable signs that some one had just preceded him. Here at last is the person he had so long been tracking. He peeped cautiously through the uncurtained window. There sits the man now, before a dimly smoking fire, panting, and drenched with rain. His clothes were torn and muddy, and he himself is a melancholy object as he sat there so lonely. (Examine tenses.)

His voice, naturally good, had contracted itself into a plaintive nasal tone and intonation. (More descriptive effect.) The moonlight sleeps indeed sweetly upon this bank. (More lively realization.)

Certainly I have never wronged you, nor have I ever grudged you your rightful due. (Make assertion more trenchant.)

It is indeed difficult for a man to be true, when all his associations have been with companions who are wicked. (More lively realization, and better setting off of members.)

The odious fellow had a large amount of dirt on his hands and face. (More vigor of conception.)

A gentleman said to his butler that he expected six clergymen to dine with him on such a day. The butler asked whether they were High Church or Low Church. The astonished master asked what on earth that could signify to the butler. The butler replied that it signified everything, because if they were High Church they would drink, and if they

were Low Church they would eat. (Give more life to the discourse.)

Channing's mind was planted as thick with thoughts as a backwood of his own magnificent land. (How complete the idea?) I come for shelter into your house. (Use serviceable part of idea.)

It is a favorite habit of his to go investigating about all the undesirable marshes and ponds of the region, looking for insects and small reptiles. (More descriptive effect.)

Rain possesses in liquid form the power of producing forests, wheatfields, flowers. (Condense for vividness and iterate for distinction. Rule 55.)

You will surely not refuse to support a measure so reasonable and beneficent as this. (Make assertion more trenchant.)

An immense man with a back two feet and three inches broad. (Livelier realization.)

He was the forerunner prophet of the new dispensation. (Use descriptive name.)

I thought a multitude of swords must have been drawn from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. (More descriptive effect and force.)

A fleet of eighteen sailing vessels has just come to anchor in the harbor. (Use serviceable part of term.)

In a moment the thunderbolt was upon them deluging the country with invaders. (Examine figure.)

If you desire the true profit of intercourse, speak to a man who possesses character, not to the man who possesses wealth, or costly clothes, or a handsome, empty face. (Use serviceable part.)

He imagines himself to be a successor of the most eminent man who ever lived, for wisdom. (Descriptive name.)

In the repair of the sewers the city employed thirty men continually. (Use serviceable part.)

He was calling out in a great voice and a rough tone that he would never submit to be imposed upon. (More descriptive effect.)