Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume N . 15, a - 1; Or a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Miscellaneous Litterature (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810 Excerpt: ...of sound as well as of harmony of meaning, be framed after that model of ideal perfec-"iUIler tion, which the variety and energy of the human articulate voiee render probable. This is the more easily accomplished, because in every language there is between the found and fense of certain words a perceptible analogy;. which, though not so accurate ay to lead a foreigner from the sound to the signriicatiou, is yet accurate enough to show, that, in forming such words, regard has been had to the imitative qualities of vocal found. Such, in English, arc the woids yell, crash, crack, hiss, roar, murmur, and many others. All the particular laws that regulate this fort of imitation, as tar as they are founded in nature, and liable to the cognizance of plulolophy, depend on the general law of style above mentioned. Together with the other circumstances of the supposed speaker, the poet takesinto consideration the tone of voice suitable to the idea thai occupy hi mind, and thereto adapts the found of his language, if it can be done consistently with ease and elegance of expression. But when this imitative harw mony is too much sought after, or words appear to be chosen for sound rattier than sense, the veric become finical and ridiculous. Such is Konfard's affected imitation of tile song of the sky-lark:, / Elle quindee du aephire Sublime eh Pair vire et revire, Et y declique un joli cris, Qui rit, guerit, et tire l'ire Des esprit mieux que je n'ccris. This is as ridiculous as that line of Eunius, Turn tuba terribili sonitu taratantara dixit i Or as the following veises of.Swift; The man with the kettle-drum enters the gate, Dub dub a dub dub: the trumpeters follow, Tantara tantara; while all the boys hollow. Worda by their found may imitate found; and quick vtT...