few can have any distinct conception what their meaning really is, or how they came by it. Having neither taproots, nor lateral roots, they are easily shaken and driven out of line; and one gust may blow them on one side, another on another side. Hence arises a confusion of tongues, even within the pale of the same language; and this breeds a confusion of thoughts. Of all classes of paralogisms the most copious is that in which a word, used in one sense in the premises, slips another sense into the conclusion. 66 They who feel an inward call to teach and enlighten their countrymen, should deem it an important part of their duty to draw out the stores of thought which are already latent in their native language, to purify it from the corruptions which Time brings upon all things, and from which language has no exemption, and to endeavour to give distinctness and precision to whatever in it is confused, or obscure, or dimly seen. "A man should love and venerate his native language, as the first of his benefactors, as the awakener and stirrer of all his thoughts, the frame and mould and rule of his spiritual being, as the great bond and medium of intercourse with his fellows, as the mirror in which he sees his own nature, and without which he could not even commune with himself, as the image in which the wisdom of God has chosen to reveal itself to him. He who thus thinks of his native language will never approach it without reverence. Yet his reverence will not withhold, but rather encourage him, to do what he can to purify and improve it."-JULIUS HARE. Guesses at Truth. And last, it is COLERIDGE, who says "Reflect on your own thoughts, actions, circumstances, and-which will be of especial aid to you in forming a habit of reflection,-accustom your self to reflect on the words you use, hear, or read, their birth, derivation and history. For if words are not things, they are living powers, by which the things of most importance to mankind are actuated, combined, and humanized."— Aids to Reflection.'-Preface. Philadelphia, October 23, 1846. H. R. NOTE. The references for the illustrative authorities under each title are made to the poems, which are respectively quoted, the references to 'Paradise Lost Paradise Regained,' and 'Samson Agonistes' being given with only the initials of the titles of those poems. use of PREFACE. DR. BLAIR, in his "Lectures upon the English Language,' says :- -"The great source of a loose style is the injudicious synonymous terms." If we examine the style of most of the periodical and light literature of the day, we shall soon be convinced of the truth of this assertion. For one fault in construction or idiom, we shall find at least twenty incorrect applications of words. The want of a critical knowledge of verbal distinctions is obviously the cause of these errors. though the foundation of this knowledge should undoubtedly be laid at an early stage of the study of language, and before the habit of using words in a loose way has become inveterate, it appears to be generally considered unnecessary for the young student, and is either neglected for other pursuits, or else is wholly excluded from systematic education. But The pernicious result of this neglect is found in the inaccuracy and looseness of style so generally prevalent. The present work has been written with a view to supply what the author believes to be a desideratum in Elementary Education; and though he is far from intending it should be regarded as complete, he hopes it will be found to contain principles sufficiently suggestive to enable those who use it to continue the study to any extent for themselves. CONTENTS. SECTION I. (Generic and Specific Synonymes) SECTION II. (Active and Passive Synonymes) SECTION III. (Synonymes of Intensity) ..... PRACTICAL EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. INTRODUCTION. Ir is a common observation, that there are no two objects in nature exactly alike: that however close their apparent resemblance to each other may be, the one will be found, upon examination, to possess some shade, some almost imperceptible tinge of difference by which it may be distinguished from the other. But it is not to the superficial observer that these nice varieties are evident. He who contents himself with a general or casual view of things must remain in ignorance of all those nicely distinctive properties of substances which render them, in certain respects, independent of each other. He can have no knowledge of their peculiar qualities, but must look upon them as belonging to the general mass of natural matter; and though the most indifferent spectator cannot fail to be struck with their more prominent properties, he can have no information respecting their distinctive character or uses. This observation is quite as true of art as of nature. Here, though the artisan exert his utmost skill to make one object exactly like another, we shall find, upon a close inspection, that he never wholly succeeds in his attempt. Some slight variety, either in shape, or form, or color, or weight, will be discovered, sufficient to distinguish the copy from the original. It may, indeed, be more difficult to distinguish be tween objects purposely constructed alike; still, however, the truth will remain, that a close examination will not fail to detect a peculiarity in substance, construction, dimension, or some other quality, sufficient to mark a difference between the two objects. Of Nature's intention in making this wonderful variety in her works, it is not necessary here to speak, nor indeed is the present work suited for such a discussion. One reflection, however, which the consideration of this variety will naturally suggest to our minds, bears more directly upon the subject before us. It is this that the very habit of indifference to an exact knowledge of distinguishing qualities, even in apparently trivial or insignificant objects, is the main cause of all that vague idea and indefinite conception, which is so common even among those who pass with the world for well-informed and well-instructed men. The extent to which this habit often prevails during our years of education, and the extraordinary influence it has upon us throughout life, are scarcely to be credited. It is this almost inveterate indifference, acquired in early life, which causes us to rest satisfied with general rather than particular knowledge, originates so many indistinct conceptions, produces a positive and violent aversion from thinking, and thus exercises a most pernicious influence upon the intellectual character of the man. If an infinite variety in the appearance of external things be an admitted fact, it will follow that there must be, in like manner, a great variety in the meaning of those words which are their conventional signs. We must not, however, expect to find the same extent of variety in words as in things, because the system of generalization applied to language does not admit of the same extension. Thus, though the word table will represent, generally, a flat substance supported by legs, it will not stand for the many varieties of this piece of furniture which might be presented to the eye. In this respect, single words are imperfect; for, though some have undoubtedly a more specific meaning than others, they cannot express all the varieties of every species of things: all they can do is to supply us with general signs, which must be rendered specific by the addition |