Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

X.

compofition, the different parts of it may de- LECT. mand a proper variation of manner.

But we

must study never to facrifice, totally, any one of these qualities to the other; and, by a proper management, both of them may be made fully confiftent, if our own ideas be precife, and our knowledge and stock of words be, at the fame time, extenfive.

LECTURE XI.

LECT.
XI.

STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES.

HA

AVING begun to treat of Style, in the laft Lecture I confidered its fundamental quality, Perfpicuity. What I have faid of this, relates chiefly to the choice of Words. From Words I proceed to Sentences; and as, in all writing and difcourse, the proper compofition and ftructure of Sentences is of the highest importance, I fhall treat of this fully. Though Perfpicuity be the general head under which I, at prefent, confider Language, I fhall not confine myself to this quality alone, in Sentences, but fhall enquire alfo, what is requifite for their Grace and Beauty: that I may bring together, under one view, all that feems neceffary to be attended to in the conftruction and arrangement of words in a Sentence.

It is not easy to give an exact definition of a Sentence, or Period, farther, than as it always implies fome one complete propofition

or enunciation of thought. Ariftotle's defini- LECT. tion is, in the main, a good one: "AS EX Λέξις έχεσα

αρχην και τελευτην καθ' αυτην, και μεγεθος ευσινοπτον:” A form of Speech which hath a beginning "and an end within itself, and is of fuch a "length as to be easily comprehended at

once." This, however, admits of great latitude. For a Sentence, or Period, confifts always of component parts, which are called its members; and as thefe members may be either few or many, and may be connected in feveral different ways, the fame thought, or mental propofition, may often be either brought into one Sentence, or split into two or three, without the material breach of any rule.

THE first variety that occurs in the confideration of Sentences, is, the diftinction of long and fhort ones. The precife length of Sentences, as to the number of words, or the number of members, which may enter into them, cannot be ascertained by any definite measure. At the fame time, it is obvious, there may be an extreme on either fide. Sentences, immoderately long, and confifting of too many members, always tranfgrefs fome one or other of the rules which I fhall mention foon, as neceffary to be observed in every good Sentence. In difcourfes that are to be spoken, regard must be had to the eafinefs of pronun* S 2 ciation,

XI.

LFC T. ciation, which is not confiftent with too long

XI.

periods. In compofitions where pronunciation has no place, ftill, however, by using long Periods too frequently, an author overloads the reader's ear, and fatigues his attention. For long Periods require, evidently, more attention than fhort ones, in order to perceive clearly the connexion of the several parts, and to take in the whole at one view. At the fame time, there may be an excess in too many fhort Sentences alfo; by which the fenfe is fplit and broken, the connexion of thought weakened, and the memory burdened, by prefenting to it a long fucceffion of minute objects.

WITH regard to the length and construction of Sentences, the French critics make a very just diftinction of Style, into Style Periodique, and Style Coupé. The Style Periodique is, where the Sentences are compofed of feveral members linked together, and hanging upon one another, fo that the fenfe of the whole is not brought out till the close. This is the moft pompous, mufical, and oratorical manner of compofing; as in the following fentence of Sir William Temple: "If you look "about you, and confider the lives of others "as well as your own; if you think how few "are born with honour, and how many die "without name or children; how little beauty

we

XI.

"we fee, and how few friends we hear of; how LE C T. many diseases, and how much poverty there

" is in the world; you will fall down upon

[ocr errors]

your knees, and, inftead of repining at "one affliction, will admire fo many bleff

ings which you have received from the hand " of God." (Letter to Lady Effex.) Cicero abounds with Sentences conftructed after this

manner.

THE Style Coupé is, where the fenfe is formed into fhort independent propofitions, each complete within itself; as in the following of Mr. Pope: "I confefs, it was want " of confideration that made me an author. "I writ, because it amused me. I corrected, "because it was as pleasant to me to correct "as to write. I publifhed, becaufe, I was "told, I might please fuch as it was a credit "to please." (Preface to his works.) This is very much the French method of writing; and always fuits gay and easy fubjects. The Style Periodique, gives an air of gravity and dignity to compofition. The Style Coupé, is more lively and striking. According to the nature of the compofition, therefore, and the general character it ought to bear, the one or other may be predominant. But, in almost every kind of compofition, the great rule is to intermix them. For the ear tires of either of them when too long continued: Whereas,

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »