ploying a word in a fenfe different from "what is proper to it ;" and the new or uncommon fenfe of the word is termed the figurative fenfe. The figurative fenfe must have a relation to that which is proper; and the more intimate the relation is, the figure is the more happy. How ornamental this figure is to language, will not be readily imagined by any one who hath not given peculiar attention. I fhall endeavour to difplay its capital beauties and advantages. In the first place, a word used figuratively, together with its new fenfe, fuggefts what it commonly bears: and thus it has the effect to present two objects; one fignified by the figurative fenfe, which may be termed the principal object; and one fignified by the proper fenfe, which may be termed acceffory. The principal makes a part of the thought; the acceffory is merely ornamental. In this refpect, a figure of speech is precisely fimilar to concordant founds in mufic, which, without contributing to the melody, make it harmonious. I explain myself by examples. Youth, by a figure of fpeech, is termed the morning of life. This expreffion VOL. III. S expreffion fignifies youth, the principal object, which enters into the thought: but it fuggefts, at the fame time, the proper fenfe of morning; and this acceffory object being in itself beautiful and connected by resemblance to the principal object, is not a little ornamental. I give another example, of a different kind, where an attribute is expreffed figuratively, Imperious ocean. Together with the figurative meaning of the epithet imperious, there is fuggefted its proper meaning, viz. the ftern authority of a defpotic prince. Upon this figurative power of words, Vida defcants with great elegance : Nonne vides, verbis ut veris fæpe relictis Nec Nec turbato oritur quondam minor æquore pugna: In the next place, this figure poffeffes a fignal power of aggrandising an object, by the following means. Words, which have no original beauty but what arifes from their found, acquire an adventitious beauty from their meaning. A word fignifying any thing that is agreeable, becomes by that means agreeable; for the agreeablenefs of the object is communicated to its name *. This acquired beauty, by the force of cuftom, adheres to the word even when used figuratively; and the beauty received from the thing it properly fignifies, is communicated to the thing which it is made to fig See chap. 2. part 1. fe&t. 4. S 2 nify nify figuratively, Confider the foregoing expreffion Imperious ocean, how much more elevated it is than Stormy ocean. Thirdly, this figure hath a happy effect in preventing the familiarity of proper names. The familiarity of a proper name, is communicated to the thing it fignifies by means of their intimate connection; and the thing is thereby brought down in our feeling *. This bad effect is prevented by using a figurative word instead of one that is proper; as, for example, when we express the sky bý terming it the blue vault of heaven. For though no work made with hands can compare with the sky in magnificence, the expreffion however is good, by preventing the object from being brought down by the familiarity of its proper name. With refpect to the degrading familiarity of pro per names, Vida has the following paffage, Hinc fi dura mihi paffus dicendus Ulyffes, * I have often regretted, that a factious fpirit of oppofition to the reigning family made it necessary in public worship to diftinguith the King by his proper name. One will fcarce imagine, who has not made the trial, how much better it founds to pray for our Sovereign Lord the King, without any addition. Non 1 Non illum vero memorabo nomine, fed qui Laftly, by this figure language is enriched and rendered more copious. In that respect, were there no other, a figure of speech is a happy invention. This property is finely touched by Vida : Quinetiam agricolas ea fandi nota voluptas The beauties I have mentioned belong to every figure of speech. Several other beauties peculiar to one or other fort, I fhall have occafion to remark afterward. Not only fubjects, but qualities, actions, effects, may be expreffed figuratively. Thus as |