EMOTIONAL MEANINGS OF WORDS.

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serpent,' 'lamb,' 'eagle,' 'lark,' 'rose,' 'violet,'‘oak'. Each of these terms has a certain signification as knowledge: to which is added a group of associated feelings. The sun has a definition in Astronomy, which is purely intellectual; for poetry, it has farther meanings: power,' 'sublimity of vastness,' 'mighty influence,' 'beneficent' and maleficent' by turns.

It has also to be observed that emotional associations of opposite character sometimes attach to the same word. Thus, "night" is a gladsome term, when we think of night as the season of rest and repose; it has terrifying or repulsive associations, when it calls up darkness and evil deeds. So, "rock" raises agreeable feelings, when we view it as the emblem of stability or of security and protection; it is otherwise when we regard it as the instrument of destruction. Again, "death" has both pleasant and painful associations attaching to it, and which of the two will be suggested on any particular occasion, depends entirely on the context.

Hence in Poetry, in order to harmonize, we need to be aware of the emotional meanings of the terms that are brought together; and if necessary, to state these meanings in justification, or in condemnation, of any one grouping. So, in Oratory; where the public speaker, whose object is to persuade, has to calculate what is likely to be the emotional effect of his language on the audience.

REVIEW OF THE VOCABULARY OF STRENGTH.

I. NAMES OF SUBJECTS OR CLASSES.

Beginning with Subjects of Strength-as already divided into Physical, Moral, Intellectual and Collective-we may exemplify as follows:

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Physical, Personal (in connection with Man).-' Giant,' Samson,' Goliath,' 'Hercules,' 'athlete,' 'wrestler,' 'prizefighter,' conqueror,' Olympian victor,' 'tamer of steeds,' 'lion-slayer,' 'wielder of the axe,' 'thrower of the javelin,' 'strong of arm,' fleet of foot,' brawny figure,' muscular proportions'.

(Animals).- Lion,' tiger,' 'bull,' 'ox,' 'king of the forest,' eagle,' vulture,' 'whale,'' cobra'.

elephant,' war-horse,' monster of the deep,'

Moral.-1. 'Hero,' victor,' champion,' combatant,' 'fortitude,' 'manliness,' 'hardihood,'' courage,' 'endurance'; 'bold,' 'brave,' 'courageous,' 'fearless,' 'dauntless,' 'magna

nimous,' resolute,' 'determined,' 'with face set like a flint,' 'patriotic,' 'chivalrous,' 'just,' 'upright,' 'dutiful,' 'truthful'. 2. Names of the amiable virtues that may become sublime by implying unusual self-restraint: humility,' 'meekness,' 'gentleness,' 'humanity,' 'generosity,' 'philanthropy'.

Intellectual. Wise man,' 'scholar,' 'philosopher.' 'dungeon of learning,' 'Coryphaeus,' 'facile princeps, poet,' 'scientist,' " man of parts,' commanding intellect,' 'towering ability,' intellectual giant,'' oracle,' 'luminary,' Solomon,' Daniel,' 'star'; 'talent,' 'genius,' 'inspiration,' 'wit,' 'erudition,' 'invention,' ingenuity,' 'fame,' 'celebrity,' renown'; 'long-headed,' 'far-seeing,' thoughtful,' 'meditative,'' acute,' critical,' 'reflective,' 'deep'.

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Moral and Intellectual.-'Commander,' 'general,' 'director,' 'leader,' ' adviser,' 'guide,' 'monitor,' 'councillor,' 'statesman,' 'diplomatist,' 'Nestor,' 'sage,' 'man of sagacity,' 'reformer,' 'lawgiver,''preacher,' 'peace-maker,' arbitrator,' 'orator,' 'teacher'; 'shrewdness,' 'prudence,' discretion'.

Collective. 'People,' nation,' kingdom,' 'state,' 'realm,' 'commonwealth,' 'body politic,' community,' 'city,' 'town,' 'province,' 'population, multitude,' 'mass,' 'horde,' 'crowd,' host,' army,' fleet,' 'battalion,' 'regiment,' 'squadron,' 'church,' 'school,' 'fourth estate' (press), 'the world,' the human race'. 'Throne,' 'dominion,' 'empire,' sway,'' authority'; 'king,' ' prince of the earth,' 'despot,' 'tyrant'.

Also the names of the nationalities that have attained historic greatness: Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, Arabia, Turkey, Germany, France, Britain.

II. NAMES OF CONSTITUENTS.

MALEFICENT STRENGTH.

Pure Maleficence without pretext or justification.—‘Injure,' hurt, persecute,' 'trample,' destroy,' 'tear to pieces'; 'blood-shedding,' 'hate,' 'hell-hound,' 'fiend,' 'torment,' torture,' 'rob,' wound,' 'murder,' 'destroy,' 'vandals,' tease,' 'irritate,' annoy,' harass,' 'vex,' molest, 'cruelty,' 'diabolical malice,' 'spite,' ill-will,' 'venom,' 'bile,'gall,' 'persecute,' 'grind,' 'tyrannize,' 'oppress,' 'mutilate,'' maim,' 'torture,' maim,' torture,' rack,' make mischief,'

NAMES OF CONSTITUENTS OF STRENGTH.

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'truculent,' 'detract,' 'calumniate,' 'disparage,' 'depreciate,' 'slander,' 'libel,' misrepresent,' 'garble,' 'backbite,' 'defame,' 'vindictiveness,' 'malignant chuckle,' 'punishment,' 'wrath,' 'rancour,' 'condemnation,' 'glut your ire,' 'make to smart,' rebel,' 'conspire,' 'plot,' 'intrigue,' 'assassin,' 'rise,' 'pitiless,' 'ruthless,' 'inexorable'.

With pretext, and by way of retribution.-'Anger,' · revenge,retaliation'.

Righteous Indignation.

The same vocabulary qualified by just cause shown; also more special terminology.-' Avenge,' 'punish,'' recompense,' chastise,' correct,' 'reprove,' 'rebuke,' thwart'; retribution,' 'penalty,' castigation,' brought through the furnace,'humiliation,'' affliction'.

Destructive Energy.

Motive not specially expressed. 'Break,' 'crush,' 'shatter,' ruin,' ruin,' 'overturn,' throw down,' 'hammer,' 'explode,'' blow up,' 'flood,' 'burst,' 'blast,' 'shiver in pieces,' choke,' 'swallow up,' 'uproot,' apply the axe,' ' scourge,' 'smite,' 'fell,' 'abase'.

War and Conflict.

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Attack,' 'vanquish,' 'capture,' 'rout,'scatter,' 'devastate,' 'slaughter'; fury,' ferocity; shot,' broadside,' 'cannonade,' 'level to the ground,' 'pillage,' 'plunder,' 'rout,' fire and sword,' siege,' 'storm,' 'massacre,' ' ravage,' 'carnage'; 'victory,' trophy,'' triumph,' 'ovation'.

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stricken,' aghast,' 'put to flight'; 'shock,' 'quake,' 'crouch,' 'daunt,' 'dismay,' 'petrify,' 'panic,' 'consternation'.

BENEFICENT STRENGTH.

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'Create,'' produce,' 'plan,' 'build,' 'sustain,' ' renovate,' 'construct,' 'erect,' rear,' 'fabricate,'' organize,'' establish,' 'uphold,' 'stimulate,' 'cherish,' 'revive,' 'quicken'; 'benefactor,'' author,' 'restorer,'' liberator'.

Some of these may come under the head following.

NEUTRAL STRENGTH.

Power, as such, with maleficent or beneficent possibility. -'Force,' 'energy,' 'activity,' 'might,' 'cause,' 'origina

tion,' 'movement,' motive power,' 'vigour,' 'propulsion 'powerful,'' effective,'' efficacious,' 'energetic,' 'influential,' 'vivacious,' 'vehement,' 'impetuous,' 'impulsive'; 'convulsion,'' shock,' 'strain'.

As resistance.-' Rock,' 'iron,'' adamant'; 'stubborn,' 'unflinching,' 'irresistible,' 'insuperable,' 'invincible,' 'unyielding,' 'inexpugnable,' 'impregnable '.

Special examples applicable to Space and to Time.-'Expanse,' 'vastness,' 'extension,' 'range,' 'scope,' 'ubiquity,' 'diffusion,' 'immensity,' 'height,' 'loftiness,' 'depth,' 'abysm,' 'sweep,'' scope'; ample,' capacious,' 'unbounded,' 'immeasurable,' 'infinite,' infinite, inconceivable,' 'distant,' far,' ' remote,'' afar off'.

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'Time,'' duration,' 'persistence,' 'perpetuity,' 'years,' 'century,' 'millennium,' aeon'; 'unceasing,' 'endless,' 'immortal, everlasting,' 'enduring,'' perennial,' 'imperishable,' 'eternal,' ' for ever and ever'.

Inanimate Things (the great objects and powers of Nature).-Star,' 'firmament,' 'constellation,' galaxy'; 'ocean,' 'tide,' river,' torrent,' cataract'; 'mountain, 'rock,' 'desert,' 'waste,' forest'; storm,' 'tempest,' 'hurricane,' 'whirlwind,' 'tornado,' 'cyclone,' 'blizzard,' thunder,' ' volcano,' 'hail,' 'rain’.

(Artificial structures on the great scale).-'Castle,''tower, 'palace,' 'mansion,' church,' cathedral,' 'spire'; 'fort,' 'stockade,' 'rampart,' 'battery,' 'barricade,' 'ship of war,' 'steam-engine,' bridge, viaduct,' harbour,' colossus'; 'cyclopean'.

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Abstract Names (Personal and Impersonal).-Night,' 'chaos,' 'nature,' ' law,' 'force,' 'power,' 'splendour,' 'glory,' 'majesty,' effulgence,' 'greatness,' space,' time,' deep,' 'tower of strength,' 'heaven's concave'; 'life,' 'death,' 'humanity,' divinity,' excellence,' 'perfectibility,' superhuman might,' 'thought,' 'imagination, contemplation, memory,' oblivion,' choice,' 'freedom,' 'liberty," 'will,' 'fear,' 'courage,' love,'' hate,' 'endurance,' 'ferocity unparalleled,' 'friendship,' 'truth,' 'justice,' 'veracity,' virtue,' 'faith,' 'hope,' 'fortune,' 'chance,' 'prosperity,' 'calamity,' necessity,' 'destruction,' ruin'.

Negative Terms used for Strength.—The form of negation

NEGATIVE AND NUMERICAL TERMS.

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is favourable to strength, as involving opposition, resistance, denial, refusal, defiance: qualities that by their very nature demand a surplus of energy. As-'infinite,' 'illimitable,' 'immeasurable,' unceasing'. Some are adapted to signify the mysteriousness of the world:-‘unknown,' 'unknowable,' 'inconceivable,' 'incomprehensible,' 'ineffable,' 'inexhaustible,'' the uncreated night'. Of promiscuous signification are unendurable,' 'incorruptible," unfading,' 'undecaying,' 'inopportune,' 'nonentity'

The negative prefixes mis' and 'dis,' and the suffix 'less,' impart a similar energy. So with the employment of 'no' and 'not': no second place' is stronger than the

first'.

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Numerical terms, when in large aggregate numbers, contribute to energy. Homer attributes to Stentor the

shout of 'fifty' men. 'Thousands' and 'tens of thousands' enter into the phraseology of vastness.

Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships?

For exercise in discriminating the terms and phraseology of strength, reference may be made to Milton anywhere. Gray's Progress of Poesy' and 'The Bard' offer a wide field of choice.

CONDITIONS OF STRENGTH.

1. The Aids to Qualities in general being presupposed, there are certain conditions of STRENGTH in particular, common to all its various forms.

It is not enough for Strength simply to name one or more objects of the class that yield the emotion. All the requirements already enumerated-Representative force, Combination and Concreteness, Originality or Variety, Personality, Harmony, Ideality-must further be complied with. There is also involved the employment of the energetic Figures of Speech-Similitudes, Contrast, Epigram, Hyperbole, Climax.

In laying down the conditions more expressly belonging to the quality, we cannot help involving applications of the foregoing.

(1) Adequate delineation of the subject, with due regard to the points of interest.