The kind of period that has most vivacity is where there is antithesis in the members-i. e., where the words stand in contrast to each other, the opposite members being similarly constructed. This form is not only the most effective, but also, in general, the most perspicuous; for the relation of the parts to each other is here so strongly marked, that it is next to impossible to mistake the meaning. For example:

'If you seek to make anyone rich, study not to increase his stores, but to diminish his desires.'

The following is a specimen of double antithesis:— 'If Cato may be censured, severely indeed, but justly, for abandoning the cause of liberty, which he would not, however, survive, what shall we say of those who embrace it faintly, pursue it irresolutely, grow tired of it when they have much to hope, and give it up when they have nothing to fear? '

Here follows another specimen of this figure, in which the author, in his anxiety to construct the clauses alike, has fallen into a strange error:—

'Eloquence, that leads mankind by the ears, gives a nobler superiority than power, that every dunce may use, or fraud, that every knave may employ, to lead them by the nose.'

On this antithetical period, a critic remarks: 'Here the two intermediate clauses are contrasted, so are also the first and last. But there is this difference. In the intermediate members there is a justness in the thought as well as in the expression - an essential requisite in this figure. In the other two members, the antithesis is merely verbal, and is therefore, at best, but a trifling play upon the words. We see the connection which eloquence has with the ears, but

it would puzzle Edipus himself to discover the connection which either power or fraud has with the nose. The author, to make out the contrast, is in this instance obliged to betake himself to low and senseless cant.'

Sometimes the antithesis is not found in the different clauses of the same sentence, but in consecutive sentences; as, 'He can bribe, but he cannot seduce;' 'He can buy, but he cannot gain;' 'He can lie, but he cannot deceive.'

This figure may be found in loose sentences, as well as in periods; as:

'They are designed to assert and vindicate the honour of the Revolution-of the principles established, of the means employed, and of the ends obtained by it. They are designed to explode our former distinctions, and to unite men of all denominations in the support of these principles, in the defence of these means, and in the pursuit of these ends.'

Here a varied opposition in the words principles, means, and ends may be observed.

In the next extract, we find an antithesis on the words true and just running through three successive

sentences:

The

6 The anecdotes here related were true, and the reflections made upon them were just, many years ago. former would not have been related, if he who related them had not known them to be true; nor the latter have been made, if he who made them had not thought them just; and if they were true and just then, they must be true and just now, and always.'

In some cases, the words contrasted in the second clause are the same as those used in the first; only,

the construction and arrangement are inverted; as, The old may inform the young, and the young may animate the old.'

Whatever may be said of the artificial construction of which the antithesis bears internal evidence, it is undoubtedly favourable both to strength and perspicuity; and though this figure is not equally well adapted to every style, it is successfully used in many forms of composition.

Antithesis is applied with great effect in delineating character. But an immoderate use of this figure is a serious fault in style. It has a studied and laboured effect, and gives us the idea that the writer pays more attention to his manner of expression than to the subject. This observation will apply to the following passages:

'Homer was the greater genius, Virgil the better artist; in the one we most admire the man, in the other the work. Homer hurries us with a commanding impetuosity; Virgil leads us with an attractive majesty. Homer scatters with a generous profusion; Virgil bestows with a careful magnificence. Homer, like the Nile, pours out his riches with a sudden overflow; Virgil, like a river in its banks, with a constant stream. And when we look upon their machines, Homer seems like his own Jupiter in his terrors, shaking Olympus, scattering the lightnings, and firing the heavens; Virgil like the same power in his benevolence, counselling with the gods, laying plans for empires, and ordering his whole creation.'

Though, according to some critics, this picture would have been more finished had some particular river been opposed to the Nile, no one can fail to

whole passage.

perceive the consummate art displayed throughout the But Pope has not here exemplified the principle, that 'The highest art is to conceal art.' The chief objection to the passage is, that we have in it too much of the same figure; the continual repetition of the same construction becomes at length wearisome, and its very artificiality makes it fail to produce the intended effect.

Lastly, a resemblance in language and construction should be maintained between the constructive members of an antithetical sentence. Errors in this particular are found, first, in words; as:

'I have observed, of late, the style of some great ministers very much to exceed that of any other productions' (authors).

'I cannot but fancy, however, that this imitation, which passes so currently with other judgments, must, at some time or other, have stuck a little with your lordship.' (Say, passes so currently with others.) Secondly, it is a still greater fault to change the construction in such cases; as:

'There may remain a suspicion that we overrate the greatness of his (Shakspere's) genius, in the same manner as bodies appear more gigantic on account of their being disproportioned and misshapen.'

Thirdly, the corresponding parts should be of nearly the same length, and not as in the following passage: 'As the performance of all other religious duties will not avail in the sight of God without charity; so neither will the discharge of all other ministerial duties avail in the sight of men, without a faithful discharge of this principal duty.'

It will be for the learner to point out the errors of

this description which may be found in the following

sentence:

'Ministers are answerable for everything done to the prejudice of the Constitution, in the same proportion as the preservation of the Constitution in its purity and vigour, or the perverting and weakening it, are of greater consequence to the nation than any other instances of good or bad government.'

Examples of Antithetical Sentences.

1. 'If we must needs compare Cicero, therefore, with Cato, as some writers affect to do, it is certain that if Cato's virtue seem more splendid in theory, Cicero's will be found superior in practice: the one was romantic, the other rational; the one drawn from the refinements of schools, the other from nature and social life; the one always unsuccessful, often hurtful-the other always beneficial, often salutary to the republic.'

2. 'A cultivated taste, combined with a creative imagination, constitutes genius in the Fine Arts. Without taste, imagination could only produce a random analysis and combination of our conceptions: and without imagination, taste would be destitute of the faculty of invention.'

3. 'He [Cassius] was brave, witty, learned, yet passionate, fierce, and cruel; so that Brutus was the more amiable friend, he the more dangerous enemy.'

4. It would appear that there are two opposite extremes, into which men are apt to fall in preparing themselves for the duties of active life. The one arises from habits of abstraction and generalisation