PART II.

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OF STYLE-DEFINITION OF STYLE.

1. The word style is from the Latin stylus, a pointed instrument like a pen, used by the ⚫ ancients in writing on tablets covered with wax. Hence, it originally meant a peculiar mode of writing, and subsequently, a peculiar mode of conceiving and expressing ideas in language. Style, therefore, may be well defined "a certain peculiarity of thought and language of a writer or speaker."

2. We shall expound this subject in two chapters. In the first, we will treat of the different kinds of style, and their rules. In the second, we will examine the National, Laconic and English style and language, together with other subjects relating thereto.

(1.) What is the derivation of the word style? Give the definition of style.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF STYLE, AND THEIR RULES.

1. Like the subject of composition, so also the style may be divided into three classes: First, high or sublime; second, low or familiar; third, middle or intermediate. Again, style may be

divided into National and Individual.

2. In this chapter, we shall consider in six articles, the Sublime, Low, Middle, Good and Vicious style; also, the rules for the proper selection of style in accordance with the subject of composition.

ARTICLE I.

OF THE SUBLIME STYLE.

1. Sublime style is "that which contains lofty ideas and words." The following reply of Alexander the Great, to Darius' embassadors, although proud in sentiment, is an example of the sublime style:

(1.) How may style be divided?

(1.) What is the sublime style?

Give one or two examples of the sublime style.

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Relate ye to Darius, that to tender thanks to an enemy is superfluous; that what I have done, is due to my nature, not to his friendship; it is not my custom to wage war with captives, or women. He, whom I hate, must be well armed."

Also the following poetical address to Columbia, on account of its lofty ideas and language, is an illustration of the sublime style:

"Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise!

The queen of the world, and the child of the skies:
Thy genius commands thee; with rapture behold,
While ages on ages thy splendors unfold.
Thy reign is the last and noblest of time,

Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime,
Let the crimes of the East ne'er encrimson thy name,
Be freedom and science and virtue thy fame."

2. All dignified language which inspires respect and veneration, properly belongs to the sublime style. Such is that of President Lincoln's last inaugural address, which well deserves to be engraved in living characters of love and gratitude in the heart of every American citizen, being the farewell words of a dear father who died for the preservation of his country :

"It may seem strange that any men could dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread

(2.) To what style does language which inspires respect and veneration belong?

Have you any special example for the illustration of this?

If we shall supof those offenses

from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered-that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' pose that American slavery is one which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass. away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid with another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations."-Swett's Common School Readings.

3. The sublime style may be acquired, first, by conceiving noble and lofty ideas; second, by using dignified words which inspire respect and veneration; third, by using figures of speech and metaphors in particular; thus, Cicero to Cæsar :

"There is no fountain of eloquence, no power of speaking or writing ever so great, O, Cæsar, that can, I shall not say commend, but relate even thy great exploits."

Fourth, by the frequent and careful reading of authors who excel in the sublime style.

NOTE. In all the following exercises the praxis of analysis must be observed as given in Part 1, Article 1, No. 3, et seq. The analysis and criticism made by the student must be general and particular, and the examples for illustrating the rules must be two at least-a right and wrong one; the former for the positive, and the latter for the negative illustration. How these examples may be obtained, and what system should be followed by the teacher and pupil for a successful analysis and criticism, has been clearly shown in the cited place.

I.-EXERCISE.

In the above examples, show, first, the ideas that are noble and lofty; second, those that in

(3.) How may the sublime style be acquired?