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"The muscles of his brawny arm
Are strong as iron bands."

This is readily understood, for every one knows that iron bands are very strong, and from this comparison one can understand the strength of the blacksmith's arm.

Types for Comparisons. All conversation abounds in comparison, for in speaking of anything about which the person to whom we are talking may know but little, it is natural for us to compare it with something with which he is known to be familiar, and say it is like this, or it resembles that. It may be the size, form, color, taste, smell, or any other characteristic that we may wish to make known; and we seek for some more familiar object that may have this characteristic, in order that we may explain it by means of a comparison with this object. Many well-known objects which possess some quality or characteristic in a marked degree have become common or typical objects of comparison. We every day hear such expressions as, 'strong as a lion," "timid as a mouse," "gentle as a lamb," and these expressions are readily understood because the animals mentioned are known to possess these characteristics in such a marked degree that they have come to be regarded as types of strength, timidity, and gentleness, respectively. The greater the number of these types for comparison with which a person may be familiar, the more clearly, accurately, and emphatically he will be able to present thought by means of suggested resemblances.

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Exercises

1. A list of names of objects and animals that are commonly used in making comparisons is given below. Name

the characteristics of which these are types, and make a sen

tence, using each in a comparison.

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2. Make a list of the names of things that may be used as types of strength, of weakness, of courage, of timidity, of slowness, of industry, of sloth or laziness, of agility or quickness, and compare in class with those prepared by other pupils.

3. Make a list of the names of things that are used as types of color and state the color which each is used to typify.

4. Make a list of the names of things used to typify different qualities of taste, and state what taste each typifies.

5. Make sentences, illustrating the use of each of these types.

NOTE. - These exercises may be continued at the discretion of the teacher by asking for lists of objects to typify odors, sounds, and other qualities.

6. Complete the comparisons in the following sentences by filling the blank spaces with appropriate words:

(1) When he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, the listener ran like a in the opposite direction. (2) In this quiet spot men's lives glide on like a toward the ocean.

(3)

(4)

The rain clatters along the roofs, like the tramp of

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(5) The leafless trees were clothed with ice that was as clear and as bright as

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in the April sun.

by which I

quiet as the

(9) The warrior lay, pale and white, and cold as

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And Buddha answered; in a tone
Soft as a

at twilight blown."

(11) The white carded wool lay in a pile at her feet like

of

(12) The red harvest moon hung like a in the cloudless sky.

7. Read a page from the writings of Irving, Hawthorne, Ruskin, Macaulay, Scott, Stevenson, and other standard authors, and count the number of comparisons each uses.

8. Read one of the themes you wrote several weeks ago, and count the comparisons it contains. If you can improve any of them, do so.

CHAPTER VIII

THE WRITER'S POINT OF VIEW

SECTION XXXIII

Point of View determined by Personal Interest

DIFFERENT persons viewing an object or a scene may have widely different thoughts concerning it. This may be because their interests or their tastes are unlike, and therefore they are not affected in the same way and the same thoughts are not suggested by what they see. For example, two men may be standing together on the bank of a stream of water near a waterfall, and although they are looking at the same things, the objects which they see may not suggest the same thoughts to them. The one may see in the waterfall valuable water-power which, if properly utilized, will yield great financial gain. In imagination he may see mills and factories springing up along the banks of the river, may, perhaps, even see busy men at work in them, and may hear the hum and buzz of machinery. The other man, who may be less practical and commercial, though of a more poetic temperament, may see nothing of the things that are suggested to the fancy of his companion; but will note the beauty rather than the commercial possibilities which the scene suggests. He sees the water flashing and sparkling in the sunshine, and hears its splash and roar as it rushes over rocks and down swift descents. The moss

grown rocks along the margin of the stream, the overhanging trees, the flowers blooming on the banks, all help to make up a picture which delights him.

If these two men were to write of the things which the river suggests to them, their accounts would be as widely different as their thoughts. The speculator or manufacturer in describing the river and its surroundings would speak of the commercial possibilities which were suggested to him. He would refer to the falls only as furnishing water-power, and he would perhaps explain how in this particular case it could be best utilized; might specify the spot at which a dam could be built, and state the manner in which water could be diverted into a canal. He would speak of the locality in its relation to the markets, and mention the facilities for reaching them most cheaply and easily. These and similar matters pertaining to the commercial interest which the place suggested to him would be mentioned.

The poet, the artist, or any lover of nature would give but little thought to the practical business possibilities which were suggested to the manufacturer, unless it were to feel regret at the suggestion that the beauty of the scene should be marred by an ugly though profitable manufacturing plant. He would consider only the beauty of the place, and if he were writing about it this would receive particular notice. If he were an artist, he would note and put into his picture only those features which actually contribute to the interest of the place from an artistic standpoint.

Poetical Treatment of "Waterfalls."-The following selections show what was suggested to the authors quoted by scenes similar to the one imagined, and illustrate the manner in which poets may speak of such places and what is suggested by them.

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