allusions to the attainments of a schoolboy belong to the same class. His mode of saying that certain things are well known is, "Every schoolboy knows it." Dickens frequently repeats some pet epithet or phrase. Carlyle loves to reiterate favorite terms, names, and sayings-" the eternities," "the infinities," "sublime," "king of men;" indeed, he surpasses all other writers in this respect; and his very style, so elliptical and abrupt, is of itself considered by some as a mannerism, but from such a reproach its great eloquence and vigor must fully redeem it. Emerson uses 66 shall" where other writers put "will," "may," or "might;" he is fond of remote allusions, and mentions the Vedas or Brahma where other writers would be content with more familiar documents and deities. The term mannerism has been applied to Byron's misanthropical expressions; to Poe's incessant repetitions and echoes of words; to Wordsworth's affectation of bald literalness; to Browning's rough, abrupt pauses and elaborate obscurities. Bulwer, especially in his earlier novels, delighted in ringing the changes on the "real" and the "ideal," and Disraeli filled his fictions with pomp and splendor; and, like the exhaustless East, with richest hand, showered on his kings barbaric pearl and gold.

By mannerism is not meant the peculiar dialect or form of expression which a writer may adopt, but the excessive use of favorite forms. These, though excellent when used moderately, become a blemish when used too frequently.

§ 270. COLLOQUIALISMS.

3. Colloquialisms have a place in certain departments of literature, namely, familiar and humorous writing; but in grave composition they are objectionable. They consist of the following:

Ist. Contractions generally, which form so striking a distinction between conversational and literary English; as, "I'm," for "I am;" "I'm not," "he's going," "he isn't," "we're," "you're," "they're," "didn't," "hasn't," "wouldn't."

2d. Various expressions, especially vulgarisms such as "most," for "almost ;" "likely," for "perhaps ;" as, "If the farmer has likely only a few books he is content."

3d. The omission of the relative pronouns, and of the con

junction "that." In grave composition it is generally more elegant to express these. In oratory, however, they are often omitted, especially during the heat of debate. The speeches of Burke and Fox show many instances of this: as

"Whether he really believes the return of the high-bailiff is an act of conscience."-Fox.

"This very person, insensible of the rank he maintains."-Fox. "The honorable gentleman knows full well that all I am saying is strictly true."-BURke.

§ 271. SLANG.

4. Slang is closely associated with the colloquialism. In its origin this is low and vulgar, the name having been first given to the jargon of gypsies and thieves. Its meaning is now very widely extended, and it is applied to all words peculiar to any set, clique, or society of men. Thus we hear of the slang of artists, of lawyers, of newspapers, and of colleges.

The language of slang has become indefinitely enlarged, and extends to all degrees of respectability, as well as of vulgarity. Slang dictionaries are published, containing hundreds of closely printed pages. The slang of the upper classes is as well defined and as pronounced as that of the lower. In the former case they are almost the same as colloquialisms. Such are-"to feel quite upset," ""to feel hipped," 99 66 no end of fun," "no end of a row,' 99 66 a sell," "to be sold," "to chaff," "to bore," "to look seedy," "feel seedy," "an old bloke,” “a brick."

Slang words may be used in certain kinds of composition:

Ist. Humorous Writing.-This field is large, from the most delicate raillery to the broadest ridicule; so that it is difficult to say what is not allowable here. The farce, the satire, and the comic paper, all deal freely in slang. The only guide is good taste. Wit and humor are never so effective as when refined, and the low slang of coarse writers is fit only for the coarse-minded and vulgar.

2d. Familiar Essays.-This is a branch of literature which has risen to great prominence, and in which men of great genius have given forth their sentiments to the world. It is a departure from the gravity of serious and formal composition. It admits of greater ease and playfulness, with something of

the freedom of conversation. Sterne and Thackeray have indulged in this style, and are the most successful of those who have attempted it. Here that kind of slang is allowable which is used in good society, and which ranks with colloquialisms; as, "to come to grief," "to go to the dogs," "to go to grass,” "to be used up," ""to be knocked on the head."

"To write a book or an article in either country (England or America) likely to injure the feelings of people in the other, is now considered a rather disreputable thing to do. In England it is not considered 'in good form;' in America it is not considered as either 'a smart thing' or 'the straight thing.' The literary Bedouin, seeing this state of things at home, is reduced to the painful alternative of being either good-natured or silent." -Pall Mall Gazette.

§ 272. CANT.

5. Cant was originally applied to religious subjects; but, like slang, it has attained a more extended signification. There is now not only religious cant, but also cant political and professional, temperance cant, and the cant of the newspapers. Of these, religious cant is the most familiar. It consists of the use of the language of Scripture, or the phrases and formulas of religion, in connection with the affairs of every-day life. It implies hypocrisy, or at least insincerity, on the part of the speaker.

Other kinds of cant consist of the irreverent application of lofty phrases, the familiar use of high-sounding maxims, and the like. Thus, political cant is illustrated by such expressions as "free and enlightened citizen;" "great and glorious country;" "truly loyal;" "liberty, fraternity, and equality;" "a man and a brother;" "glorious constitution;" "the birthright of an Englishman;""the free and enlightened American ;" temperance cant, by "the glorious cause;" "king alcohol;" "the poisonous cup;" "the accursed traffic;" newspaper cant, by "the free and patriotic press;" "able editor;" "enlightened correspondent;" here the reporters are "active;" the hotel clerks "obliging;" a concert comes off with great "éclat;" a lecture, if stupid, is "chaste ;" and if pretentious, is "eloquent."

Cant and slang are often confounded; but there is an essential difference between the two, which can be very simply set forth. Slang is the elevation of what is low; cant, the degradation of what is high.

Cant is always offensive, but especially religious cant. This offends more than the taste, for it shocks the religious sensibility and the sense of true veneration. Sometimes a preacher may be found who, instead of bringing cant into common life, introduces slang into the sacred desk: as

"Give me two live men, and I'll run this church."

“The question of the day, my brethren, is not 'How are your poor feet?' but How are your poor souls ?'”

§ 273. VULGARISMS.

6. Vulgarisms of all kinds, including provincialisms and solecisms, are gross offences. Most of these need not be named; but a certain class of affectations come under this head, and deserve a brief notice. The use of pretentious words is vulgar; as, While these events were "transpiring," for " occurring;” “demise,” for "death;" " eventuate;" "inaugurate;" "reliable," for "trustworthy;" "this section;" "endorse," for approve."

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Sometimes low and degrading expressions are used even by the best writers. Burke never shrank from saying anything. For example, he says:

"They are not repelled, through a fastidious delicacy, at the stench of their arrogance and presumption, from a medicinal attention to their mental blotches and running sores."

This might have been less disgusting and equally strong. Of the same nature is the image of Lord Chatham's administration, "pigging together in the same truckle-bed ;" and that still more famous one of Mr. Dundas, with his East India bills, "exposed like the imperial sow of augury."

CHAPTER III.

THE HARMONIOUS ARRANGEMENT OF WORDS.

$274. HARMONY IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF WORDS REQUIRES

BOTH EUPHONY AND ELEGANCE.

We have next to consider harmony in the arrangement of words.

The words must not only be well chosen, but they must also be well arranged; otherwise the most musical collection may be inharmonious in the general effect.

Hence euphony and elegance must both be sought after. Elegance in sentences exists where the words are well chosen, and so arranged as to gratify the taste.

Euphony in sentences exists where the general arrangement of the words is such as will give pleasure to the ear, and will serve to adorn the sentiment.

In the following passage from Kinglake's Eothen the words are all euphonious, and the arrangement is full of harmony:

"The mystery of holy shrines lies deep in human nature. For however the more spiritual minds may be able to rise and soar, the common man during his mortal career is tethered to the globe that is his appointed dwelling-place; and the more his affections are pure and holy, the more they seem to blend with the outward and visible world. For men strongly moved by the Christian faith it was natural to yearn after the scenes of the Gospel narrative. In old times this feeling had strength to impel the chivalry of Europe to undertake the conquest of a barren and distant land; and although in later days the aggregate faith of the nations grew chill, and Christendom no longer claimed with the sword, still there were always many who were willing to brave toil and danger for the sake of attaining to the actual and visible Zion."

There are several topics arising out of this subject which are worthy of attention. These refer to the arrangement of words and of clauses, and will be considered in order.