Elements of Criticism, Volume II.Kames, Henry Home, Lord
Philosophy
Elements of Criticism, Volume II.
Kames, Henry Home, Lord
Criticism; Literary style
For as no mortal author, in the ordinary fate and vicissitude of
things, knows to what use his works may, some time or other, be
applied, _&c._
_Spectator_, Nº 85.
Better thus:
For as, in the ordinary fate and vicissitude of things, no mortal
author knows to what use, some time or other, his works may be
apply’d.
From whence we may date likewise the rivalship of the house of
France, for we may reckon that of the Valois and that of Bourbon as
one upon this occasion, and the house of Austria, that continues at
this day, and has oft cost so much blood and so much treasure in
the course of it.
_Letters on history, vol. 1. letter 6. Bolingbroke._
It cannot be impertinent or ridiculous therefore in such a country,
whatever it might be in the Abbot of St Real’s, which was Savoy I
think; or in Peru, under the Incas, where Garcilasso de la Vega
says it was lawful for none but the nobility to study--for men of
all degrees to instruct themselves in those affairs wherein they
may be actors, or judges of those that act, or controllers of those
that judge.
_Letters on history, vol. 1. letter 5. Bolingbroke._
If Scipio, who was naturally given to women, for which anecdote we
have, if I mistake not, the authority of Polybius, as well as some
verses of Nevius preserved by Aulus Gellius, had been educated by
Olympias at the court of Philip, it is improbable that he would
have restored the beautiful Spaniard.
_Ibid. letter 3._
If any one have a curiosity for more specimens of this kind, they will
be found without number in the works of the same author.
A pronoun, which saves the naming a person or thing a second time, ought
to be placed as near as possible to the name of that person or thing.
This is a branch of the foregoing rule; and with the reason there
given, another concurs, _viz._ That if other ideas intervene, it is
difficult to recal the person or thing by reference.
If I had leave to print the Latin letters transmitted to me from
foreign parts, they would fill a volume, and be a full defence
against all that Mr. Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal
inquisition, will be ever able to object; _who_, by the way, are
the only enemies my predictions have ever met with at home or
abroad.
Better thus:
---- and be a full defence against all that can be objected by Mr.
Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquisition; who, by
the way, are, _&c._
There being a round million of creatures in human figure,
throughout this kingdom, _whose_ whole subsistence, _&c._
_A modest proposal_, &c. _Swift._
Better:
There being, throughout this kingdom, a round million of creatures
in human figure, whose whole subsistence, _&c._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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