DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48955#0129
Ch. XXL DESCRIPTION. saS
time is far from being gross .• The journal os a
modernlady is composedin astyle blending spright-
liness with familiarity, perfectly suited to the sub-
je<ft : in one passage, however, the poet deviating
from that style, takes a tone above his subjcfi.
The passage I have in view begins, I. 116. But kt
me now a while Jurvey, ire. and ends at I. 135.
It is proper to be observed upon this bead , that
writers of inferior rank are continually upon the
stretch to enliven and enforce their subjeftby ex-
aggeration and superlatives. This unluckily has
an esfect contrary to what is intended; the reader,
disgusted with language that swells above the sub-
jefft, is led by contrast to think more meanly of
the subjeeft than it may postibly deserve. A man
of prudence, beside, will be no less careful to
husband his strength in writing than in walking:
a writer too liberal of superlatives , exhausts his
whole stock upon ordinary incidents, and reserves
no stiare to express , with greater energy, matters
of importance 7.
t Montaigne, resseding upon the then present modes, ob~
serves, that there never was at any other time so abjedl and
servile prostitution of words in the addresses madeby people
of fassrion tp one ano ther; the humblelt tenders of life and
soul, no prosessions under that of devotion and adoration ; the
writer constantly declaring himself a vassal, nay a Have : so
that when any more serious occalion ol friendflrip or gratitude
requires more genuine professions, words are wanting to ex-
press them.
time is far from being gross .• The journal os a
modernlady is composedin astyle blending spright-
liness with familiarity, perfectly suited to the sub-
je<ft : in one passage, however, the poet deviating
from that style, takes a tone above his subjcfi.
The passage I have in view begins, I. 116. But kt
me now a while Jurvey, ire. and ends at I. 135.
It is proper to be observed upon this bead , that
writers of inferior rank are continually upon the
stretch to enliven and enforce their subjeftby ex-
aggeration and superlatives. This unluckily has
an esfect contrary to what is intended; the reader,
disgusted with language that swells above the sub-
jefft, is led by contrast to think more meanly of
the subjeeft than it may postibly deserve. A man
of prudence, beside, will be no less careful to
husband his strength in writing than in walking:
a writer too liberal of superlatives , exhausts his
whole stock upon ordinary incidents, and reserves
no stiare to express , with greater energy, matters
of importance 7.
t Montaigne, resseding upon the then present modes, ob~
serves, that there never was at any other time so abjedl and
servile prostitution of words in the addresses madeby people
of fassrion tp one ano ther; the humblelt tenders of life and
soul, no prosessions under that of devotion and adoration ; the
writer constantly declaring himself a vassal, nay a Have : so
that when any more serious occalion ol friendflrip or gratitude
requires more genuine professions, words are wanting to ex-
press them.