Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, Volumen2

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T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1809
 

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Términos y frases comunes

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Página 132 - I do not know whether I am singular in my opinion, but, for my own part, I would rather look upon a tree in all its luxuriancy and diffusion of boughs and branches, than when it is thus cut and trimmed into a mathematical figure ; and cannot but fancy that an orchard in flower looks infinitely more delightful than all the little labyrinths of the most finished parterre.
Página 130 - A marsh overgrown with willows, or a mountain shaded with oaks, are not only more beautiful, but more beneficial, than when they lie bare and unadorned. Fields of corn make a pleasant prospect ; and if the walks were a little taken care of that lie between...
Página 25 - In a word, an elegant writer is one who pleases the fancy and the ear, while he informs the understanding ; and who gives us his ideas clothed with all the beauty of expression, but not overcharged with any of its misplaced finery.
Página 97 - Thus any continued sound, as the music of birds, or a fall of water, awakens every moment the mind of the beholder, and makes him more attentive to the several beauties of the place that lie before him. Thus if there arises a fragrancy of smells or perfumes, they heighten the pleasures of the imagination...
Página 144 - My lord, I do here, in the name of all the learned and polite persons of the nation, complain to your lordship, as first minister, that our language is extremely imperfect ; that its daily improvements are by no means in proportion to its daily corruptions ; that the pretenders to polish and refine it, have chiefly multiplied abuses and absurdities ; and that in many instances it offends against every part of grammar.
Página 398 - The signification of our sentiments, made by tones and gestures, has this advantage above that made by words, "that it is the language of nature. It is that method of interpreting our mind, which nature has dictated to all, and which is understood by all ; whereas, words are only arbitrary, conventional symbols of our ideas ; and, by consequence, must make a more feeble impression.
Página 49 - In the third place, with respect to the assistance that is to be gained from the writings of others, it is obvious, that we ought to render ourselves well acquainted with the style of the best authors. This is requisite both...
Página 88 - It is this that bestows charms on a monster, and makes even the imperfections of nature please us. It is this that recommends variety, where the mind is every instant called off to something new, and the attention not suffered to dwell too long, and waste itself on any particular object; it is this, likewise, that improves what is great or beautiful, and makes it afford the mind a double entertainment.
Página 374 - The mode of reasoning most generally used, and most suited to the train of Popular Speaking, is what is called the Synthetic ; when the point to be proved is fairly laid down, and one Argument after another is made to bear upon it, till the hearers be fully convinced.
Página 33 - Simplicity of manners, it shews us a man's sentiments and turn of mind laid open without disguise. More studied and artificial manners of writing, however beautiful, have always this disadvantage, that they exhibit an author in form, like a man at court, where the splendour of dress, and the ceremonial of behaviour, conceal those peculiarities which distinguish one man from another.

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