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PART II. SUBJECTIVE PROPERTIES.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL VIEW.

§ 293. THE SUBJECTIVE PROPERTIES of style are those which are determined to discourse by the mental condition of the speaker. § 244.

Speech is the expression of thought, not as abstract and, so to speak, separate from the thinking mind, not of mere truth or of ideas, but rather of the thinking states of the living speaker. Just so far as it becomes the mere representative of abstract propositions, it sinks from its proper character and elevation. On the other hand, just so far as it is an expression of the thinking mind itself, partaking of its individual life and glow, it fulfills more perfectly its proper object, and consequently is more pleasing and more impressive.

§ 294. The mental condition of the speaker is determined by different conspiring influences; as,

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1. By the natural and acquired characteristics of his own mind, whether common to all mind or peculiar to himself;

2. By his physical structure and habits;

3. By the relations which he sustains to those whom he addresses; and,

4. By the particular subject and occasion of his dis

course.

Mind has properties as mind; and discourse as the expression of mind must exhibit, more or less, these properties. There are only two, however, which demand particular consideration here. They are these, that mind is a thinking

activity; and that it thinks continuously.

The analogies of external Nature, which is ever multifarious and diverse, lead us at once to the conjecture that there are also native idiosyncrasies of mind; that each thinking, like each material existence, has peculiarities of its own. At all events, in the development of mind under diverse influences, there arises a great diversity of mental habits.

The physical structure has its influence, not only in determining the mental habits and modes of thought generally, but, also, particularly in the framing of thought for expression. A narrow chest and weak lungs reject long periods and vehement harangue.

Further, the professional standing and official character of the speaker should be regarded in style. There is a proper dignity belonging to the pulpit; and the elevated and commanding tones of the general would be ludicrous in the familiar discourse of colloquial equality.

The subject, likewise, and the occasion generally of the discourse naturally impress themselves on the mind of the speaker and leave on it their own peculiar characters. The style, consequently, ever shaping itself by the state of the speaker's mind at the time, should be modified by these outward circumstances.

§ 295. The Subjective Properties of style include those of SIGNIFICANCE, CONTINUOUSNESS, and NAT

URALNESS.

The first two of these properties are founded on the nature of mind itself. So far as discourse is an expression of mind, it must be significant or expressive of thought.

Thought, moreover, is continuous. The mind, and more especially when cultivated and disciplined, does not act by

sudden impulses in irregular, disconnected thoughts: the unity of its aim imposes on its movements the character of progressiveness and consecutiveness.

The property of naturalness is founded on the individuality of thought as the product of one distinct mind peculiar in its native structure and its acquired habits, and influenced in its action by peculiar circumstances of place and time..

CHAPTER II.

OF SIGNIFICANCE IN STYLE.

§ 296. SIGNIFICANCE in style implies two things: First, That the speaker have some thought to communicate; and,

Secondly, That the words employed actually express some meaning.

Sometimes a speaker has no desire to communicate any thought; but speaks for some other object, as to occupy time, or to amuse or astonish his audience. This kind of discourse has been denominated spurious oratory.

It sometimes happens, moreover, that through mere vagueness or vacuity of thought a speaker or writer will use the forms of speech with no thought or sentiment expressed in them. This kind of style is termed the nonsensical.

§ 297. SPURIOUS ORATORY, or discourse in which the speaker does not design to communicate any thought, is either,

For the purpose of appearing to say something;
For occupying time; or

For entertaining his audience with words of lofty pretensions, but of no significance.

The first species named is a kind of verbal or rhetorical sophistry, in which want of argument is disguised under the mere dress of words.

The second is very common in deliberative bodies where,

to prevent immediate action and delay a decision, a speaker occupies the attention of the assembly with the show of dis

cussion.

The third is a species of rhetorical jugglery, and sometimes appears even in parts of grave and serious discourse, when vanity and love of applause, or perhaps a worse principle, lead to a sacrifice of the high end of speaking to the gratification of a low personal feeling.

§ 298. THE NONSENSICAL in style proceeds from vacuity of thought. The various species of it are the puerile, the learned, the profound, and the marvelous.

Dr. Campbell, in his "Philosophy of Rhetoric," has ably treated of this part of style; and has indicated at length the causes of it. The species enumerated are those described in his work. The following extracts will exemplify them:

1. The Puerile. "If 't is asked whence arises this harmony or beauty of language? The answer is obvious. Whatever renders a period sweet and pleasant makes it also graceful: a good ear is the gift of Nature; it may be much improved but not acquired by art. Whoever is possessed of it will scarcely need dry critical precepts to enable him to judge of a true rhythmus, and melody of composition. Just numbers, accurate proportions, a musical symphony, magnificent figures, and that decorum which is the result of all these, are unison to the human mind; we are so framed by Nature, that their charm is irresistible. Hence all ages and nations have been smit with the love of the muses." Geddes on the Composition of the Ancients.

"The cadence comprehends that poetical style which animates every line, that propriety which gives strength and expression, that numerosity which renders the verse smooth, flowing, and harmonious, that significancy which marks the passions, and in many cases makes the sound an echo to the Goldsmith.

sense."

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2. The Learned. Although we read of several properties attributed to God in Scripture, as wisdom, goodness, justice, etc., we must not apprehend them to be several powers, habits, or qualities, as they are in us; for as they are in God, they are neither distinguished from one another, nor from his nature or essence in whom they are said to be. In whom they are said to be; for, to speak properly, they are not in him, but are his very essence or nature itself; which acting severally upon several objects, seems to us to

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