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 I 
 
ENGLISH SINONYMES. 
 
London : ' 
 Spottiswoodes and Shaw, 
 . New-Street-Square. 
 
fCC^^rr/- '^y^/^^^-^. 
 
 ENGLISH SYNONYMES 
 
 CLASSIFIED AND EXPLAINED; . 
 
 WITH 
 
 PEACTIOAL EXERCISES, 
 
 DESIGNED FOR 
 
 SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE TUITION. 
 
 BY a. F. GRAHAM, 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 "ENGLISH, OH THR ART OF COMPOSITION,** "HELPS TO ENGLISH 
 
 GRAMMAR,*' "STUDIES FROM THE ENGLISH POETS,** 
 
 ETC. ETC. 
 
 Fades non omnibus una. 
 Nee diversa tamen, qualem decet esse sororum. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, 
 
 WITH COBKECTION$ i|ND ADDITIONS BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS. 
 
 1853. 
 
 
IS5'3 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction ------ 1 
 
 Section I. (Generic and Specific Synonymes) 30 
 
 Section II. (Active and Passive Synonymes) 116 
 
 Section HE. (Synonymes of Intensity) - 201 
 
 Section IV. (Positive and Negative Syno- 
 nymes) 281 
 
 Section V. (Miscellaneous Synonymes) - 338 
 
 Index to Synonymes - - . - 415 
 
 204 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 Dr. Blair, in his " Lectures upon the Eng- 
 lish Language," says : — ^' The great source 
 of a loose style is the injudicious use of 
 synonymous terms." If we examine the 
 style of most of the periodical and light 
 literature of the day, we shall soon be con- 
 vinced 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. But 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. 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 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 Ele- 
 mentary Education; and though he is far 
 from intending it should be regarded as com- 
 plete, 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. 
 
 NOTICE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 In this Edition, the work has undergone a 
 thorough revision by the author, and the 
 number of Synonymes in Section TV. has been 
 considerably increased. 
 
 Bayswater, 1853. 
 
PEACTICAL EXEECISES 
 
 ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It 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 quali- 
 ties, 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 
 
 B 
 
2 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 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 ut- 
 most 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 va- 
 riety, in shape, form, colour, or weight, will be 
 discovered, sufficient to distinguish the copy from 
 tbe original. It may, indeed, be more difficult to 
 distinguish between 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 in- 
 difference 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 
 
INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 education, and the extraordinary influence it lias 
 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 exer- 
 cises a most pernicious influence upon the intellec- 
 tual character of the man. 
 
 If an infinite variety in the appearance of external 
 things be admitted, 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 
 of those qualifying terms which serve to modify 
 their signification, and give them a more definite 
 meaning. 
 
 But words, though they do not express individual 
 
 B 2 
 
4 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 things, actions, or qualities, are found to approxi- 
 mate so closely in meaning, that it is no easy matter, 
 in many cases, to distinguish them from each other. 
 The leading idea contained in several belonging to 
 the same class of meaning is so prominent, that the 
 mind, in endeavouring to discover their differences, 
 becomes dazzled by the more intensive property of 
 the words, and neglects to examine the attendant 
 shades by which the one may be distinguished from 
 the other. It is not asserting too much to declare, 
 that scarcely any give themselves trouble to search 
 for those nice distinctions of meaning by which 
 words are characterized ; nay, we are certain there 
 are few candid persons not ready to admit that they 
 have hitherto contented themselves with feeling the 
 difference between the signification of two words of 
 a similar meaning, without having directed the least 
 attention to the cause of that difference, or to any 
 philosophical principle by which a distinction may 
 be established between them. 
 
 It is of no weight to argue, that there is no neces- 
 sity for the study of verbal distinctions, because many 
 writers have composed with accuracy and elegance, 
 who have never bestowed any attention on the 
 philosophy of synonymy. Some are naturally en- 
 dowed with a more delicate faculty of distinction 
 than others ; and such persons, from an almost in- 
 tuitive sense of the exact meaning and application 
 of words, are seldom likely to use them incorrectly ; 
 but it would be utterly absurd to infer from this 
 
INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 fact, that some general rules to guide the student in 
 his choice and distinction of words, and in a proper 
 use of them, would not be acceptable to those who 
 are desirous of improving their style in elegance 
 and precision. For, the habit of taking things for 
 granted is not only highly unsatisfactory to an 
 inquiring mind engaged in honestly searching for 
 truth, but it is also replete with danger, and cannot 
 but continually lead us into error. He who always 
 places dependence on appearances, and never appeals 
 to his own powers of reasoning or investigation^ is 
 sure to be constantly involved in difficulties ; and 
 though he may possibly be sometimes right, he never 
 can explain why he is so, or guard against the re- 
 currence of perplexities. 
 
 Accuracy of expression will naturally lead to 
 accuracy of thought ; for the practice of carefully 
 examining the shades of difference between words 
 is not only useful in regard to writing, but also 
 exercises a most salutary influence upon the think- 
 ing power. Now, there are grounds to fear that 
 language is, by many, considered as something exist- 
 ing of itself, and independent, rather than connected 
 with its proper origin, or to be referred to a higher 
 principle. In studying language we should never 
 lose sight of the fact, that it is the visible and 
 audible expression of the mind, and that, therefore, 
 all the phenomena of language are to be referred, for 
 their source, to the intellectual powers. It is, then, 
 only by investigating the modes in which Nature 
 
 B 3 
 
b EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 works in the human mind, and by patiently observ- 
 ing her operations, that we can expect to arrive at 
 an accurate knowledge of the philosophy of expres- 
 sion. In these researches, the study of metaphysics 
 is our only way to arrive at any satisfactory result ; 
 for from no other source can we acquire any solid 
 information on this subject, nor upon any other 
 principles can we safely proceed in our investiga- 
 tions. Though many scholars have displayed won- 
 derful ingenuity and sagacity in philological re- 
 search, which cannot fail to command the admira- 
 tion of all who make this subject their study ; no 
 one has yet set forth a system of language refer- 
 able to the human mind^ and applicable to human 
 expression ; no one has yet tested the significations 
 of words, their differences, their various classes of 
 differences, and the causes of those differences, in 
 such a manner as to reduce them to a system ; or 
 has laid down principles to serve as a basis upon 
 which to ground a general and comprehensive classi- 
 fication of our language. 
 
 Though the author of the present work is far from 
 pretending to supply this desideratum, he thinks it 
 may be not wholly useless to mention some opinions 
 he has long entertained on the subject, and to ex- 
 plain some principles to assist in forming a plan by 
 which the unpractised writer may be enabled to 
 avoid the looseness of expression so common with 
 the majority of writers, and to compose in a clear 
 and intelligible style. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 It is to be observed, that in every department of 
 science, a classification of its materials is one of the 
 leading principles upon which philosophers have 
 founded their systems. This is a natural and uni- 
 versal principle, drawn from our observation of 
 external objects, and found not in one only, but in 
 every department of natural science. An attempt 
 to acquire solid information upon any other method 
 of instruction will infallibly fill the mind with crude 
 and confused ideas, and impart no sound or lasting 
 knowledge. Hence the maxim "Divide et impera" 
 (divide and conquer) has been successfully applied 
 to every object of human knowledge, and hence it is 
 generally received as the only safe road in which to 
 proceed in every description of study. 
 
 Language, as well as other objects of study, has 
 been subjected to the application of this principle. 
 Grammarians have, accordingly, classified words 
 under the various heads of nouns, verbs, particles, 
 &c., as they observed their signification to possess 
 certain properties. Thus names of things were 
 classed as nouns, names of qualities as adjectives, and 
 names of actions as verbs, &c. But though these 
 classes may be sufficient for grammatical purposes, 
 and though they are sufficient to distinguish the more 
 striking differences of words, they are wholly useless 
 when we wish to distinguish more nicely among those 
 of each class, and between the exact shades of mean- 
 ing in those more closely related to each other ; that 
 is, though there may be no difficulty in determining 
 
 B 4 
 
8 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 between a verb and a noun, or between an adjective 
 and a conjunction, we have no unerring principle 
 upon which to found a difference between two nouns 
 or two verbs which approximate closely in significa- 
 tion. Thus the difference between an answer and to 
 answer presents no difficulty as to the grammatical 
 distinction of their two natures ; but if we wish to 
 distinguish between to answ er and tor eplj/, we slyq im- 
 mediatelyataloss to determine their respective mean- 
 ings, because we. have no fixed principle upon which 
 to proceed in our investigation of their difference. 
 
 It so happens that, in respect of synonymy, the 
 English language presents the student with greater 
 difficulties than any other language of Europe. This 
 peculiarity may be accounted for by its structure, 
 and by the circumstances which led to its formation. 
 The difference of its materials, and the great variety 
 of the respective modes of feeling and expression in 
 those nations which contributed to its formation, are 
 sufficient in themselves to explain the cause of this 
 difficulty. In connection with this remark, it may 
 be observed, that there are many words in our 
 language which, on a superficial view, appear to 
 convey precisely the same signification, and present, 
 even to the scholar, no other than an etymological 
 difierence. This is the case with many pairs of 
 words, one of which is of Saxon, and the other of 
 Latin origin, such as '.freedom — liberty/; happiness 
 — felicity ; help — assistance ; and many others. 
 The notion which many entertain of such words is 
 
INTRODUCTION. V 
 
 that as tliey were respectively drawn from different 
 sources, and as each word stood in its original 
 language for the same idea, they have no difference 
 of meaning in English. But this must be the no- 
 tion of those who probably do not bestow much 
 attention on the subject ; for it requires but little 
 reflection to convince us that such a fact would be 
 an anomaly in the history of language, and strongly 
 opposed to a first principle of nature. For even 
 supposing that two words could have precisely the 
 same meaning in the same language for a short space 
 of time^ it is altogether contrary to every law of 
 language that they should continue in that state for 
 any lengthened period. The intensity with which 
 Nature is said to abhor a vacuum can only be 
 equalled by her abhorrence of identity; an exact 
 sameness is nowhere to be found among her works, 
 and she seems to take delight in baflling every 
 attempt to interfere with her dominion or oppose 
 her laws. It cannot, however, be denied (in apply- 
 ing this law to our own case), that at the Norman 
 conquest in 1066, many words were introduced by 
 the conquerors into England "which were identical in 
 meaning with others in common use among the 
 people of the country before the invasion. In fact, 
 at that time, and during a considerable period after, 
 two distinct languages existed in this island : one 
 used by the lord, and the other by the tiller of the 
 soil. But this state of things could not continue 
 veVy long; for, by a natural law, as soon as the two 
 
10 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3IES. 
 
 dialects amalgamated, and became one language, one 
 of two terms which had till then identically corre- 
 sponded, either lost a portion of its original mean- 
 ing, or suffered some alteration in use ; or, if this 
 did not happen, it met with the common fate of all 
 words so situated — it disappeared from the lan- 
 guage. In this we see the direct effect of a uni- 
 versal law of nature, viz. the necessity for one of 
 two identical things becoming altered, or else the 
 impossibility of its remaining in existence. 
 
 There can be little doubt that the same principles 
 of difference which our senses discover in the exter- 
 nal world operate in the very constitution of the 
 human mind ; and that properties belonging to the 
 nature of material bodies and external action find 
 corresponding conceptions in the mind, and con- 
 sequently, corresponding expressions in language. 
 Thus, many words may be observed to differ from 
 each other, as the species from the genuSy as we may 
 perceive between to do and to make ; a very large 
 class of words may be distinguished under the heads 
 of active and passive, as between ability and capa- 
 city ; the principle of intensity may be observed to 
 operate in the difference between the words to see 
 and to look; others have a positive and negative 
 difference, as between to shun and to avoid, and 
 many, which do not appear to depend on any uni- 
 formly acting principle, may be ranged under the 
 head of miscellaneous. 
 
 The heads, then, under which the words explained 
 
INTRODUCTION. 1 1 
 
 in the body of this work are arranged in their re- 
 spective sections are: — 1. Generic and Specific; 
 2. Active and Passive; 3. Intensity; 4. Posi- 
 tive and Negative; and 5. Miscellaneous. It 
 is not pretended that this classification is perfect 
 complete ; but, in the absence of any other, it is 
 hoped it may prove useful to the student, not only 
 in supplying him with the information required 
 concerning the words here treated, but in furnishing 
 him with principles applicable to other pairs of 
 words, not here explained, which may present him 
 with any difficulty. 
 
 A very large class of synonymes may be ranged 
 under the heads of Generic and Specific ; that is, 
 the one word will be found to differ from the other, 
 as the species from the genus : as in such words as 
 to do and to make ; to clothe and to dress ; praise 
 and applause^ ^c. But as these terms, generic and 
 specific, may not be familiar to the generality of 
 young students, it may be useful here to explain 
 them. In their classification of natural objects, 
 philosophers have divided them under three grand 
 heads, or, as they are termed in scientific language, 
 kingdoms. These kingdoms are divided into classes 
 and orders. The orders again are subdivided into 
 genera, and the genera into species. This system 
 of classification, though it may not be applied so 
 extensively to language as in natural philosophy, 
 will in many cases assist in discovering differences 
 not so easily perceived by the application of any 
 
12 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Other principle. Rejecting the terms kingdom and 
 class, we may consider the part of speech, as noun 
 or verb, to represent the order; then the genera 
 may be classed under each order as expressing some 
 general or leading principle, and the species under 
 the genus, as describing the latter more particu- 
 larly. Let it be required to discover the difference 
 between to do and to make : — Applying the prin- 
 ciple above explained, both words will fall under 
 the order verb : — as to do expresses general action, 
 it will be the generic ; and as to make describes a 
 more specific mode of doing, it will be the specific 
 term. By the same principle, applause will be a spe- 
 cies of the genus praise, both belonging to the order 
 noun. Again, robust will be a species of the genus 
 strong, and belonging to the order adjective. In 
 the exercises under this head, we have to do only 
 with the genus and species, for the order, or part of 
 speech, is equally applicable to both words, and 
 will be of no assistance in our endeavour to deter- 
 mine their respective meanings. 
 
 It will be also necessary to explain the signifi- 
 cation of the terms active and passive as applied 
 to the philosophy of synonymy, and under which 
 head the words in the second section of this work 
 are arranged. Many words possess an active or 
 passive meaning, wholly independent of the gram- 
 matical sense of these two terms. A word that 
 expresses a passive or recipient state may thus 
 often be distinguished from one that contains the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 same idea in an active state. Between many ab- 
 stract nouns we shall find this principle to operate. 
 This may be illustrated by the respective meanings 
 of the two words ability and capacity. The idea 
 of power is here common to both words, but the 
 latter expresses a power of receiving, and has a 
 recipient or passive meaning ; whereas the former 
 expresses a power to execute, and consequently has 
 an active signification. Again, the idea of reason 
 enters into the meaning of both the adjectives 
 reasonable and rational ; but the former qualifies a 
 being who exercises reason, and the latter, one who 
 possesses reason, and consequently, the difference 
 between them is to be found in the active and pas- 
 sive meaning of each respectively. Lastly, even in 
 the case of verbs, into which the idea of action more 
 fully enters, we may frequently observe a difference 
 in meaning dependent upon this principle. This 
 may be exemplified by the two verbs to keep and 
 to retain. We keep, by the exertion of our own 
 power ; we retain, from the want of power or will 
 in others. We keep what we prevent others from 
 taking, we retain what is not taken from us. In 
 the first, we are in an active, in the second, in a 
 passive state. It is undeniable that attention to 
 this phenomenon would, in many cases, solve a doubt 
 which might exist as to the exact difference in the 
 meaning of words. 
 
 Another extensively prevalent principle in nature 
 is that of Intensity. In the material world, its 
 
14 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 effects meet us at every turn. Scarcely at any two 
 moments does fire burn with exactly the same 
 degree of heat, or does the sun shine with the 
 same brilliancy without some intervening circum- 
 stance which modifies or increases its degree of 
 brightness. We may then confidently look for the 
 same principle in words which is applied so exten- 
 sively to objects of sense. It must here again be 
 remembered that this principle of intensity has no 
 reference to comparison, as applied to a grammati- 
 cal class of words, but imports a higher degree, as 
 marked by the difference of meaning between two 
 words in another respect similar. We find it not • 
 only in adjectives, but also in nouns and verbs, and 
 indeed, in some cases, in prepositions. The distinc- 
 tion between the two adjectives bright and brilliant 
 is marked by the intensive degree expressed in the 
 latter word. Brilliant is bright and something more, 
 or it expresses a higher and more intensive degree 
 of bright. A difference of degree will also mark 
 the distinction between the words breeze and gale ; 
 a breeze signifies a gentle wind ; a gale, a stronger 
 wind. Again, the difference between to see and to 
 look, or to hear and to listen, will depend upon the 
 same principle, the latter expressing a more inten- 
 sive degree of the former. Whenever the differ- 
 ences between two words may be accounted for on 
 this principle, such words may be termed synonymes 
 of intensity. 
 
 A fourth class of differences may be formed 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 Tinder the head of Positive and Negative. Here 
 also we find the same idea common to both words ; 
 but in the one it appears in a positive or independent 
 form, whilst in the other it has a negative meaning. 
 The two verbs to shun and to avoid will come 
 under this head of differences. To shun means 
 positively to turn from ; whereas to avoid is merely 
 not to go in the way of, and has a negative sense. 
 The same remarks will apply to the difference of 
 meaning between the two nouns fault and defect. 
 A fault is something positively wrong ; a defect is 
 something negatively wrong. What is faulty has 
 what it should not have ; what is defective has not 
 what it should have. This class may not be found 
 to contain so many words as those above explained, 
 but the principle will be frequently available in 
 determining the difference of words which cannot be 
 brought under another category. 
 
 But although some of the principles above ex- 
 plained will test the difference of a large majority 
 of synonymous terms, there are, undoubtedly, many 
 to which none of them will apply. The difference 
 between two words will, in many cases, be so slight, 
 and will consist in so nice and delicate a variation, 
 that it can be explained only by the individual cir- 
 cumstances of the case. And here it must be con- 
 fessed that the synonymous words explained in this 
 manner lie open to the objection mentioned in 
 another part of this introduction ; for the student 
 will here gain no further information than that given 
 
16 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 him concerning the words themselves — he will ac- 
 quire a knowledge of the diflference between the two 
 words under consideration ; but that knowledge 
 will be strictly limited to those words, and the 
 explanation itself will not suggest any power of dis- 
 tinguishing between other words. Such terms are 
 explained in the fifth section of this work, and are 
 ranged under the head of " Miscellaneous." 
 
 In concluding my remarks upon this classification 
 of synonymous words, I must again repeat that I do 
 not set forth this system as a complete or perfect 
 classification of such terms, but that I have adopted 
 it for want of a better, or rather for want of any 
 existing arrangement. In all the works on syno- 
 nymy which have fallen under my notice, I have in 
 vain searched for some rule, the application of which 
 would bring any required word under a certain class, 
 and thus enable a student to ascertain its precise 
 meaning, as distinguished from its nearest relative. 
 As far as I am aware, no system of classification has 
 been adopted by any writer on the subject. But 
 though it is true that none of these writers has 
 adopted such a classification as might suggest to the 
 learner uniformly acting principles of difference, 
 there can be no question that they were acquainted 
 with these principles, for they have frequently em- 
 ployed them in their definitions. On the other hand, 
 though the meaning of some words is explained in 
 these works, in many instances, with great inge- 
 nuity and acuteness, many others are defined upon 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 very vague, and some upon very arbitrary princi- 
 ples. The student, it is true, may gain the informa- 
 tion he requires with respect to certain words ; but 
 here his knowledge stops; it is restricted to the words 
 immediately under consideration ; nothing is done 
 towards enlarging his views of the philosophy of 
 language, nor is any rule given him by which he 
 may for himself discover the real difference which 
 exists between words apparently identical. 
 
 Every one who has had any habit or practice in 
 composing must remember the doubts he has fre- 
 quently entertained of the proper use of many words 
 suggesting themselves in the course of writing. In 
 all cases of this sort, there is a word, and but one 
 word, which will exactly convey our meaning ; but 
 the difficulty is how to get at it. The writer lays 
 down his pen — begins to think — becomes more and 
 more embarrassed — till, at last, by some lucky asso- 
 ciation, a word, which he fancies the right one, 
 strikes his mind, and he imagines the difficulty re- 
 moved. Very far from it ; another word, appa- 
 rently as appropriate as the first, presents itself to 
 his mind, and he is now more perplexed between the 
 two, than he was before puzzled about the one. 
 With many, it now becomes a mere question of 
 euphony, and the more harmonious word is adopted 
 without hesitation. But the conscientious writer, 
 though he may regard harmpny as a very desirable 
 attainment, cannot be satisfied with sound for sense, 
 and he looks for some principle upon which he can 
 c 
 
18 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 securely rely, to guide him in his choice. It is true, 
 that he can search for the difference between the two 
 words in some work of reference, and will probably 
 obtain the required information, as regards the word 
 itself, the precise meaning of which he wishes to 
 ^x ; but he will not perhaps have written a few 
 lines, before the same difficulty again presents itself, 
 and he thus finds himself continually involved in the 
 most discouraging perplexities. These observations 
 will not, of course, apply to the careless writer. To 
 him it is of little consequence in what form he ex- 
 hibits his thoughts, or what words he employs in 
 expressing them; however just maybe his views 
 on any subject, or whatever merit he may possess, 
 either in novelty or originality of thought, his total 
 indifference to accuracy of expression will not only 
 cause him to fail in his attempts to make his readers 
 understand him, but will produce much positive 
 harm in their minds, by the looseness and inaccuracy 
 of his style. 
 
 But to those who would write sensibly and care- 
 fully — who are not satisfied with sound for sense, — 
 and who are honestly desirous of acquiring a clear 
 and perspicuous style, the following rule maybe use- 
 ful : — Where a difficulty of choice in two or more 
 words occurs, collect together all those which bear 
 upon the meaning desired, and apply to them some 
 of the principles above explained. It will be found, 
 that some may be ranged under the class of generic 
 and specific, others may belong to the active and 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19, 
 
 passive class, a third pair may be distinguished by 
 the principle of intensity, others again may be to 
 each other as positive and negative, and so forth 
 By thus applying some general principle of dif- 
 ference to words, the precise limits to the meaning 
 of each will not be so diflScult to ascertain, and the 
 habit of testing their signification in this manner 
 will soon produce a marked effect on the style of 
 those who practise the rule. 
 
 There is one science intimately connected with 
 the subject of synonymy, upon which it will be 
 naturally expected that some remarks should here 
 be made. I mean Etymology. A knowledge of 
 the derivation of words is unquestionably of great 
 service in enabling us to determine their meaning, 
 and it may be confidently asserted, that they who 
 are wholly ignorant of those languages from which 
 English is derived can never have that clear con- 
 ception of the primary signification of words which 
 every good etymologist must possess. On the other 
 hand, it should not be forgotten, that as words are 
 continually undergoing some alteration in meaning, 
 and in course of time acquiring an incrustation, as 
 it were, of signification, we should not place too 
 firm a reliance on a knowledge of their original 
 meaning, in endeavouring to fix the exact limits of 
 their modern acceptation. A love for antiquity 
 and classical associations, however natural and ad- 
 mirable in itself, may, like all other strong passions, 
 prove in some respects pernicious; and it is much to 
 c 2 
 
20 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 be feared, that undue admiration for the beauty 
 of ancient languages has, in many instances, caused 
 us to underrate the qualities of our mother tongue. 
 But we should remember, that in order to gain any 
 sound knowledge of a subject, it is necessary not 
 only to make ourselves acquainted with its origin, 
 but also to be able to trace it through all the phases 
 of its existence, a rule particularly applicable to 
 language, the materials of which are so fluctuating 
 and changeable. Now, the principles before ex- 
 plained do not belong to any one language in 
 particular, but are applicable to every language on 
 the globe, both ancient and modern ; they are uni- 
 versal — they are founded in the very nature of 
 things — they existed before any language was 
 spoken, and we may presume that they will last as 
 long as the world continues to exist. I would not 
 have it supposed, that in making these remarks, I 
 entertain any disrespect for the languages or litera- 
 ture of antiquity ; so far from this being the case, I 
 yield to none in my respect and veneration for the 
 ancients ; and I am impressed with a firm con- 
 viction, that antiquity is the source from which all 
 the poets and philosophers of modern times have 
 most copiously drawn. I would merely caution the 
 young student against allowing his prejudices in 
 favour of the ancients to interfere with the applica- 
 tion of universal principles. Indeed, there can be 
 little doubt that the ancients were as well ac- 
 quainted with these principles as ourselves, for 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 every day brings to light some new proof of how- 
 much further advanced they were even in practical 
 science than we are inclined to give them credit 
 for; and we are not justified in inferring, because 
 they have left us no distinct works upon this sub-, 
 ject, that they were not aware of these principles, 
 and did not apply them in the same way as the 
 moderns. 
 
 It is not a li£tle surprising that the English, who 
 in some questions have displayed such admirable 
 patience of research and sagacity of investigation, 
 should have produced so few works on the subject 
 of synonymy. During the last century, France 
 reckoned a considerable number of writers on this 
 subject; among others, Girard, Voltaire, D'Alem- 
 bert, Duclos, Dumarsais, Diderot, Beauzee, Rou- 
 baud, Lavaux, &c. The German writers on sy- 
 nonymy are Eberhard and Maass. The Italians 
 and Spanish have also directed some attention to 
 this subject : among the former may be mentioned, 
 Grassi, Romani, and Tommaseo; and among the 
 latter, Huerta and March. The only English 
 works on synonymy deserving of notice are, those 
 of Dr. Trusler, Mr. W. Taylor of Norwich, and 
 Mr. Crabb.* These are all books of reference, and 
 not one of them is adapted to the wants of younger 
 students, or in any way suited to the purposes of 
 
 * To these may be now added Dr. Roget's Thesaurus of 
 English Words and Phrases classified, &c. London, 1852. 
 c 3 
 
^2 EXERCISES "ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES* 
 
 practical education. Dr. Trusler's book, published 
 at London in 1766, was a partial abstract of the 
 Abbe Girard's " Synonymes FrauQais." Most of 
 the articles are little more than translations from 
 this work, and these are interspersed with some 
 original definitions of some contiguous terms pecu- 
 liar to ourselves. But many of his explanations are 
 very vague ; several of the terms which he defines 
 are altered in meaning since his time, and others are 
 growing, or have already become, obsolete. These 
 objections are of themselves sufiicient to render his 
 work rather a matter of literary curiosity than a 
 source of instruction. Mr. Taylor's work, which 
 appeared in 1813, displays much learning. He has 
 taken etymology as tlie basis of his definitions, but 
 in so doing, he appears to have frequently lost sight 
 of the modern acceptation of words, and conse- 
 quently he has sometimes attempted to force on 
 words a meaning which they do not really possess. 
 Hence many of his definitions and discriminations 
 are purely arbitrary. For these reasons, his work 
 was not so useful as he undoubtedly had the power 
 of making it, and we believe that it never reached 
 a second edition. But the largest work that we 
 possess on the subject of synonymy is that of 
 Mr. Crabb, who, in 1810, published his "English 
 Synonymes arranged in alphabetical order." This 
 is a work of much higher pretensions, and, as a book 
 of reference, is unquestionably of great utility. 
 There is, however, one point connected with its ex- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 2S 
 
 ecution which appears to interfere in some measure 
 with its utility. One part of the plan of his work, 
 is to compare four or five, and sometimes, as many 
 as six words of the same class of meaning, and 
 explain their differences in one article. In doing 
 this, all the words are so mixed up together, and 
 their explanations so perplexed, that the student, 
 who, it may be presumed, is searching for the exgct 
 meaning of a single word, often finds it utterly im- 
 possible to disentangle the one term from the many 
 with which it is mixed up, and thus, in many 
 cases, obtains no satisfactory information. It should 
 be remarked, however, that this practice is not 
 peculiar to Mr. Crabb, but is common to both the 
 others as well as to all the foreign writers on the 
 subject.* 
 
 In the present work, the author has purposely 
 avoided comparing more than two terms in one 
 explanation. This plan, with one or two exceptions, 
 has been uniformly followed throughout the book. 
 It has been adopted for two reasons : 1st, because, 
 in writing, it is almost always between two words 
 that any difficulty of choice exists ; and, 2ndly, 
 
 * Besides the works above mentioned, there was published 
 at Brunswick, in 1841, a work entitled " Synonymisches 
 Handworterbuch der Englischen Sprache fiir die Deutschen." 
 The author of this work is Dr. Melford, professor of modem 
 languages in the University of Gottingen. This book, which 
 is merely a translation of some of the principal articles in 
 Crabb, with additional examples, contributes nothing what- 
 ever towards an improved knowledge of synonymy, 
 c 4 
 
24 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 because the writer has been thus better enabled to 
 give the inquirer a distinct conception of their real 
 difference and respective limits, which could not 
 have been so easily done, had he followed the prac- 
 tice of the beforementioned writers. Besides, as 
 the object of this book is not so much to explain, as 
 to lay down principles of explanation, this arrange- 
 ment was unnecessary. The manner in which the 
 book is intended to be used is as follows :— The ex- 
 planations under each pair of words having been 
 carefully and attentively read by the pupil, he 
 should be questioned upon them by the teacher, and 
 should be required to determine under which class 
 they may be ranged; then, the exercises under each 
 pair should be written out, the pupil introducing the 
 word in the blank space; and lastly, other sen-* 
 tences of his own composition should be written, 
 in which each of the words is to be employed in its 
 proper signification. This practice will not only 
 ensure an accurate knowledge of the difference 
 between the terms, but also, a proper application 
 of the terms themselves ; and it will impress that 
 difference, as well as the principle upon which 
 it depends, so strongly on the learner's mind, that 
 he will not be soon likely to forget them. 
 
 It would be superfluous to enlarge on the useful- 
 ness of such exercises as those here presented to the 
 learner, were it not that this is the first occasion, 
 as far as the author is aware, that a practical work 
 on English synonymes has been offered to the public. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 An admission that something of the sort is a de- 
 sideratum, does not, however, amount to a con- 
 viction that it is necessary, on the same principle 
 that it is much easier to allow that we are in the 
 wrong, than to set about doing right. It may be 
 therefore proper to make some remarks on the effect 
 which a systematic study of synonymy is likely to 
 produce, not only on the language and style of the 
 student, but also as regards the general improve- 
 ment of his mind and his habits of thinking. 
 
 Coleridge, in whose writings we may perhaps 
 gather a greater number of valuable hints on educa- 
 tion than from any other modern author, says, in 
 the Preface to his "Aids to Keflection," that a lead- 
 ing object of this work was **to direct the reader's 
 attention to the value of the science of words, their 
 use and abuse, and the incalculable advantage of 
 using them appropriately, and with a distinct know- 
 ledge of their primary, derivative, and metaphorical 
 senses ; and in furtherance of this object, I have 
 neglected no occasion of enforcing the maxim, that 
 to expose a sophism, and to detect the equivocal or 
 double meaning of a word, is, in the great majority 
 of cases, one and the same thing." And, further, 
 addressing the reader, he says : " Keflect on your own 
 thoughts, actions, circumstances, and — which will 
 be of especial aid to you in forming a habit of re- 
 flection — accustom yourself to reflect on the words 
 you use, hear, or read; their birth, derivation, 
 history, S^c, For if words are not .things, they are 
 
26 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 living powers by whicli the things of most im- 
 portance to mankind are actuated, combined, and 
 humanized." 
 
 When we reflect on the circumstances in which 
 all children are of necessity placed, and the bad 
 example they continually have before them, in re- 
 spect of language, from servants and others, it is 
 not surprising that they begin at an early age to 
 nse words loosely and incorrectly. Though, in this 
 particular, some have much greater advantages than 
 others, all are to some degree affected by this exam- 
 ple, and parents cannot well begin too soon to take 
 measures to counteract its effects. If all the Eng- 
 lish we hear spoken around us during our infancy 
 and childhood were correct, there would be, of 
 course, no necessity for this injunction ; but the con- 
 trary is so notoriously the fact, that there are very 
 few in whom this pernicious example does not pro- 
 duce an inveterate habit, and whom it does not affect, 
 in some degree, through the whole course of their 
 lives. 
 
 There is one principle in education which should 
 never be lost sight of, and which, notwithstanding 
 its importance, does not appear sufficiently obvious 
 to the minds, even of those who devote considerable 
 attention to the subject. It should be remembered, 
 before any study be commenced, that we have two 
 objects in view : one, and this of the greater import- 
 ance, the effect the study will produce as to the ge- 
 neral improvement of the mind ; and the other, its 
 
INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 practical utility as regards human comforts, or hu 
 man intercourse. Now, the latter of these objects is 
 that to which most men direct their attention, whilst 
 the former holds but a second place in the opinions 
 of many, and with the majority is considered wholly 
 unimportant. The strength of mind to be acquired 
 by a cultivation of the reasoning faculties is not 
 so perceptible to the generality of mankind as 
 those accomplishments which afford frequent oppor- 
 tunities of exhibition ; and hence the exclusive 
 attention paid to lighter accomplishments, and the 
 comparative neglect with which the more valuable 
 branches of education are treated. 
 
 The scanty information given to young students 
 in all our schools, on the genius and character of the 
 English language, would, of itself, be sufficient to 
 warrant any writer in endeavouring to promote the 
 knowledge of its nature and philosophy. It is a sin- 
 gular fact, that notwithstanding this unaccountable 
 neglect of what ought to be considered an important 
 branch of every Englishman's education, there are 
 few who are not ready to admit the necessity of 
 their closer acquaintance with their native tongue, 
 and confess that a more accurate knowledge of their 
 own language, acquired in early youth, would have 
 better prepared them for many duties of common 
 life they now feel utterly incompetent to fulfil. . It 
 is well known, that the usual course of instruction 
 (as it is called) in the English language consists in 
 making a pupil learn by heart the accidence and 
 
28 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 syntax rules in Murray's Grammar, write out a few 
 dictation exercises, and occasionally compose a 
 theme. But for the more essential acquirements in 
 the language, nothing is done ; not a word is men- 
 tioned about the philosophy of construction; nothing 
 on facility of expression, forms of idiom, formation 
 of style, accuracy of expression from a proper 
 choice of words, &c. &c. Again, on the subject of 
 versification and poetry. There is not a single book 
 extant which explains the various forms and varie- 
 ties of English verse in a popular manner, and 
 adapted to early education. It is true, that some 
 scanty remarks on this subject are to be found tacked 
 to the end of one or two of our grammars ; but these 
 are mere sketches, and far from sufiicient for those 
 who wish to acquaint themselves with the forms 
 and styles of our best poets. On this subject, also, 
 as on many others connected with early education, 
 the most singular ideas prevail. It is thought by 
 many, that an attention to versification is likely to 
 lead young persons into the habit of scribbling verses, 
 and to call them off from the more serious duties of 
 life. It is forgotten that in cultivating an innocent 
 taste, we are purifying the mind from low and 
 grovelling propensities, instilling a love of the true 
 and beautiful, and establishing a most ^desirable re- 
 source in after-life, and one of the best modes of 
 securing an avoidance of vicious or degrading pur- 
 suits. The principles on which the present work is 
 based are equally applicable to a poetical and a 
 
INTRODUCTION. 29 
 
 prose style ; that is, a careful choice and accurate 
 use of terms are quite as necessary in the former as 
 in the latter form of composition ; and though the 
 versifier must not expect to find here every thing he 
 wants, it is presumed that an application of the 
 principles here adopted may be of considerable ser- 
 vice to him in his studies. 
 
 But the importance of the English language, both 
 as a subject of philology and of particular study, is 
 now becoming more generally acknowledged. It is 
 high time, then, that something more should be pro- 
 posed for the younger student than the mere gram- 
 matical exercise, or theme. Some mode of study is 
 required which will make him exert his powers of 
 discrimination in the use of words, and bring him 
 into closer acquaintance with the beauties of his 
 language, so that he may thereby acquire a relish for 
 its characteristic power and genius. The attempt in 
 the present work to supply that want is published 
 with a confident hope that, whatever may be its 
 defects, it may assist in giving an impulse to the study 
 and promote the knowledge of that literature, which 
 it should be every educated Englishman's boast to 
 understand and appreciate. 
 
30 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 GENERIC AND SPECIFIC STNONYMES. 
 
 The principles upon which all the pairs of words 
 in this section are discussed is the same as that 
 adopted by natural philosophers in their classifica- 
 tion of external objects. The whole natural world 
 has been divided by them into three heads or king- 
 doms, viz. — 1, the animal; 2, the vegetable; and 
 3, the mineral kingdom ; and each of these is again 
 subdivided into orders, classes, genera, and species. 
 Though, for various reasons, so comprehensive a 
 classification cannot be applied to language, yet in 
 investigating the cause of the difference between 
 words which approximate in meaning, we shall fre- 
 quently find it to depend upon this principle; that is, 
 the one word will be found to specify precisely 
 what the other expresses more generally. Indeed 
 this occurs so often, that it may be confidently 
 assumed as one mode of testing the difference be- 
 tween words, and thereby acquiring an exact know- 
 ledge of the limits of each. We find this difference 
 between such words as to hury^ and to inter ; the 
 former being the generic, and the latter the specific 
 word. Whatever is interred is buried, but what is 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 31 
 
 buried is not of necessity interred. To inter is a 
 specific mode of burying ; it contains the same idea 
 as that which exists in to bury, but with the 
 addition of certain accompanying ideas not found 
 in the generic word. 
 
 Adjective — Epithet. 
 
 These words differ as the species from the genus. 
 Every adjective is an epithet; but every epithet is 
 not an adjective. Epithet is a term of rhetoric. 
 Adjective is a term of grammar. The same word 
 may be both an adjective and an epithet. In prose 
 composition, the epithet is frequently put after the 
 noun, as — Henry the Fowler, Charles the Simple, 
 &c. In the first of these examples, the word 
 " fowler " is, grammatically, a noun ; rhetorically, an 
 epithet ; in the second, the word " simple '' is both 
 an adjective and an epithet. An epithet qualifies 
 distinctively, an adjective qualifies generally. Much 
 of the merit of style depends upon the choice of 
 epithets. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " AH the versification of Claudian is included within the 
 compass of four or five Hnes ; perpetually closing his sense at 
 the end of a verse, and that verse commonly which they call 
 golden, or two substantives and two with a verb be- 
 tween them to keep the peace." 
 
 " Erom these principles, it will be easy to illustrate a remark 
 of the Stagyrite on the — rosy-fingered, which Homer 
 
32 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 has given to Aurora. This, says the critic, is better than if 
 he had said purple-fingered, and far better than if he had said 
 red-fingeredy 
 
 " This consideration may fuither serve to answer for the 
 
 constant use of the same '■ — to his gods and heroes ; such 
 
 as the far-darting Phcebus, the blue-eyed Pallas, the swift- 
 footed Achilles, &c." 
 
 " A word added to a noun, to signify the addition or sepa- 
 ration of some quality, or manner of being, such as good, bad, 
 &c., is an ." 
 
 " I affinn phlegmatically, leaving the false, scan- 
 dalous, and villanous to the author." 
 
 Answer — Reply. 
 
 A reply is that species of answer in which an 
 opinion is expressed. Every reply is an answer, 
 though every answer is not a reply. An answer is 
 given to a question ; a reply is made to an accusa- 
 tion or an objection. The former simply informs, 
 the latter confutes or disproves. When we seek to 
 do more than inform — to bring others to the con- 
 viction that the opinions they have expressed are 
 mistaken or unjust, we reply to their arguments. 
 Witnesses who are examined on a trial do not reply 
 to, but answer the questions put to them by the 
 counsel, because, in such a case, information alone 
 is required. The counsel for the defendant, in 
 a trial, does not answer, but replies to the argu- 
 ments used by the other party, because he seeks to 
 prove that these arguments are false, and do not 
 criminate his client. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 33 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 During the night, the sentinel, hearing a rustling noise at 
 some distance from him, demanded in a loud voice, " Who 
 
 goes there ? " and receiving no , immediately fired in 
 
 that direction. 
 
 As I cannot proceed in this affair, without obtaining infor- 
 mation on these points, I shall feel obliged by your 
 
 my letter at your earliest convenience. 
 
 Sir, — In to the statements made in your letter of 
 
 this morning, I must observe, &c. 
 
 The advocate, in his to the charges brought against 
 
 the prisoners, fully established their innocence ; and they 
 consequently were immediately discharged from custody. 
 " Perplexed the tempter stood. 
 Nor had what to " 
 
 How can we think of appearing at that tribunal, without 
 
 being able to give a ready to the questions which shall 
 
 be then put to us ? 
 
 Bravery — Courage. 
 
 Bravery is constitutional ; Courage is acquired. 
 The one is born with us, the other is the result of 
 reflection. There is no merit in being brave, but 
 much in being courageous. Brave men are natu- 
 rally careless of danger; the courageous man is 
 aware of danger, and yet faces it calmly. Bravery 
 is apt to degenerate into temerity. Courage is 
 always cool and collected. It may be, perhaps, said 
 with justice, that the French are the braver, and 
 the English the more courageous people. 
 
 D 
 
34 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 King Alfred was conspicuous during the early part of his 
 
 reign, for the • with which he resisted the attacks of his 
 
 enemies, the Danes. 
 
 The first check, which Xerxes received in his invasion of 
 
 Greece was from the — ^ of Leonidas and his three hundred 
 
 Spartans, who disputed with him the pass of Thermopylae. 
 
 Richard I. of England distinguished himself during his 
 campaigns in the Holy Land, by acts of the most impetuous 
 
 — \ • 
 
 It requires quite as much in a minister to guide the 
 
 state in safety, through all the pohtical storms by which she 
 is beset, as in a general, to insure victory to his country, 
 amidst the difficulties and dangers by which he may be sur- . 
 rounded. 
 
 is impetuous ; is intrepid. 
 
 A proper is not confined to objects of personal 
 
 danger, but is prepared to meet poverty and disgrace. 
 
 Bonds — Fetters, 
 
 Bonds is the generic term. Fetters are species 
 of bonds. Bo7ids, from the Anglo-Saxon bifidan, 
 to bind, means whatever takes away our freedom of 
 action beyond a certain circle. Fetters, from the 
 Svixon fcBter, is strictly what binds the feet ; what 
 hinders us from moving or walking. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Let any one send his contemplation to the extremities of 
 the universe, and see what conceivable hopes, what he 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 35 
 
 can imagine to hold this mass of matter in so close a pressure 
 together." 
 
 " Doctrine unto fools is as on the feet, and manacles 
 
 on the right hand." 
 
 The of affection which exist between parent and 
 
 child can never be broken except by the most unnatural and 
 detestable wickedness. 
 
 In this case, I am by circumstances, and, however 
 
 unwiUingly, must remain an inactive spectator of the course 
 of affairs. 
 
 His legs were so inflamed by the weight of his , and 
 
 the length of time he had worn them, that when they were 
 knocked off his feet, he was too weak to stand, and it was with 
 some difficulty that he was prevented from fainting. 
 
 " There left me and my man, both bound together. 
 
 Till, gnawing with my teeth my — asunder, 
 
 I gained my freedom." 
 
 And Paul said, " I would to God, that not only thou, but 
 also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altoge- 
 ther such as I am, except these ." 
 
 Booty — Prey. 
 Booty is the generic, prey the specific term. 
 They are both objects of plunder : but there is this 
 distinction, that booty may be applied to various 
 purposes, whilst prey is always for consumption. 
 Soldiers carry off their booty. Birds carry off their 
 prey. Avarice or covetousness incites men to take 
 booty. A ravenous appetite urges animals to search 
 for prey. In a secondary sense, things are said to 
 be a prey to whatever consumes then, either 
 physically or morally. Thus : — a house falls 
 D 2 
 
36 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 a prey to the devouring flames. The heart is 
 a prey to melancholy. Misfortunes prey on the 
 mind. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The brigands having packed all the on mules which 
 
 they had brought with them, set fire to the premises, and 
 quitted the spot. 
 
 The next day, the town was taken by assault ; the ferocious 
 assailants Tented their rage upon the defenceless inhabitants 
 by massacring them by thousands, and pillaging the churches 
 and treasuries of the place, in which they found an immense 
 
 There are men of , as well as beasts and birds of 
 
 , that hve upon and dehght in human blood. 
 
 " A garrison supported itself by the it took from the 
 
 neighbourhood of Aylesbury." 
 
 Velleius Paterculus states that the sum produced by the 
 
 which Julius Caesar brought to Eome was about fifty 
 
 miUions of pounds. 
 
 " Who, stung by glory, rave and bound away. 
 The world their field, and human-kind their ." 
 
 Conduct — Behaviour, 
 
 Conduct refers to the general tenor of our actions ; 
 Behaviour respects our manner of acting on par- 
 ticular occasions, or in individual cases. Conduct 
 is the result of our habits of thinking, and the 
 standard of morals set up in our own minds ; Beha- 
 viour is connected with the circumstances of the 
 case. A good citizen conducts himself on all oc- 
 casions wisely and temperately ; soldiers behave 
 
GENERIC AND "SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 37 
 
 gallantly in an engagement. Our morals or temper 
 influence our conduct. Our humour influences our 
 behaviour. The conduct of Charles I. was marked 
 by mild dignity. Queen Elizabeth's behaviour was 
 undignified when she gave Lord Essex a box on 
 the ear. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The of the firemen was beyond all praise ; they ex- 
 posed themselves at all points to the raging flames, and exerted 
 themselves to the utmost to subdue the fire, which soon yielded 
 to their combined effbrts. 
 
 A state of happiness is not to be expected by those who are 
 conscious of no moral or religious rule for their in hfe. 
 
 At the end of the half-year, the father received a letter 
 from his son's tutor, expressive of his unquaHfied praise of his 
 pupil's during the six months previous. 
 
 The of the whole school during the master's illness 
 
 was most exemplary. By common consent, no boisterous or 
 noisy games were allowed, and the pupils all moved about the 
 house as quietly as possible, for fear of disturbing him. 
 
 His master parted with him with expressions of much regret, 
 and begged that he would apply to him whenever he should 
 require testimonials of character or . 
 
 Custom — Habit, 
 
 Custom respects things which are done by the 
 majority ; Habit, those which are done by indivi- 
 duals. We speak of national customs, and of a 
 man of indolent habits. It is a custom in England 
 to leave town in the summer months. It is a 
 
38 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 custom to attend divine service. It is a habit to 
 take snuff, to smoke, &c. Habits will often arise 
 from customs ; for instance, the custom of going to 
 church may produce habits of piety. The custom 
 of driving in a carriage may produce habits of in- 
 dolence. It is of great advantage when the cus- 
 toms of a nation are such as are likely to lead to 
 good habits among the people. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The of early rising is very conducive to health. 
 
 The of giving money to servants does not prevail to 
 
 the same extent as formerly. 
 
 In many parts of Germany, it is the to dine as early 
 
 as twelve o'clock. 
 
 Paley has said that " man is a bundle of ." 
 
 The effects of good example and early are equally 
 
 visible in his conversation. 
 
 We have no distinct account of the origin of the Chinese 
 of cramping the feet of their women. 
 
 The force of education is so great, that we may mould the 
 minds and manners of the young into what shape we please, 
 and give the impressions of such as shall ever after- 
 wards remain." 
 
 The of representing the grief we have for the loss , 
 
 of the dead by the colour of our garments certainly took its 
 rise from the real sorrow of such as were too much distressed 
 to take the care they ought of their dress. 
 
 Comparison — A na logy. 
 A comparison is made between two things that 
 resemble each other in external appearance. An 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 39 
 
 analogy is the resemblance to be found between two 
 things in the effects they produce, or in the relation 
 they bear to other things. In a comparison, there 
 are but two terms, the one put with the other ; in 
 an analogy there are always four terms, though, 
 generally, only two are expressed. A King is 
 analogous to a father ; that is, the one bears the 
 same relation to his subjects, as the other does to 
 his children. The statement of a question in 
 arithmetical proportion is a mathematical analogy. 
 Thus : 2 : 4 I • 6 \ 12; that is, the number two stands 
 in the same relation to four, as the number six does 
 to twelve. We may make a comparison between 
 two trees or two men, because in them may be 
 found an external likeness to each other. The 
 arms of the human body are analogous to the 
 branches of a tree, L e, they stand in the same 
 relation to the body, that the "branches do to the 
 trunk of the tree. The principle of analogy 
 operates very extensively in all the mechanical 
 arts ; this has directed the formation of the cupola 
 or dome, which is taken from the human skull; 
 pillars from legs ; thatching from hair ; tiling from 
 the scales of fish, &c. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There is something in the exercise of the mind to 
 
 that of the body. 
 
 It is absurd to draw a between things which bear 
 
 no resemblance to each other. 
 
 D 4 . 
 
40 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Plutarch has drawn a — between the characters of 
 
 Juhus Caesar and Alexander the Great. 
 
 " If the body poHtic have any to the natural, an act 
 
 of oblivion were necessary in a hot, distempered state." 
 
 These two persons are so unlike in every respect, that I am 
 surprised any one should ever have attempted to draw a 
 between them. 
 
 It is from the principle of that words are used in a 
 
 secondary sense. 
 
 The bark or outer covering of trees is ■ to the skin of 
 
 the human body. 
 
 " If we will rightly esteem what we call good and evil, we 
 shall find it lies much in < ." 
 
 The ■■ — between the keel of a vessel and the share of a 
 
 plough has often been remarked and commonly used. 
 
 Duty — Obligation. 
 Duties arise from the natural relations of society 
 — from our condition as human beings. Obligations 
 are duties voluntarily assumed. We are equally 
 bound to perform our duties and our obligations ; 
 but the former we cannot escape ; the latter we 
 may or may not contract. No man is exempt from 
 duties. One who guarantees the payment of a sum 
 of money contracts an obligation. He who marries 
 contracts new duties. Duties are between man 
 and God; parents and children; husbands and 
 wives ; teachers and scholars, &c. When we pro- 
 mise, we contract an obligation. Duty is what is 
 naturally due from one to another. An obligation 
 is what we bind ourselves to do independently of 
 our natural duties. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 41 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " So quick a sense did the Israelites entertain of the merits 
 
 of Gideon, and the he had laid upon them, that they 
 
 tendered him the regal and hereditary goVemment of that 
 people." 
 
 I feel myself under so many to my uncle, that I 
 
 could not take so important a step without asking his advice. 
 
 It is the of parents to attend equally to the moral 
 
 and intellectual training of their children. 
 
 " Every one must allow that the subject and matter of do- 
 mestic are inferior to none in utility and importance." 
 
 If it be the ' of a parent to educate his children, he 
 
 has a right to exert such authority, and, in support of that 
 authority, to exercise such discipline as may be necessary for 
 these purposes. 
 
 The offices of a parent may be discharged from a conscious- 
 ness of their ; and a sense of this is sometimes 
 
 necessary to assist the stimulus of parental afifection. 
 
 Fear — Terror. 
 
 Fear is the generic word. Terror is a species of 
 fear. Fear is an inward feeling. Terror is an ex- 
 ternal and visible agitation. The prospect of evil 
 excites our fear; we feel terror at the evil which 
 is actually before us. We fear an approaching 
 storm ; the storm itself excites terror. Fear urges 
 us to action ; terror urges us to flight. Fear 
 prompts us to prepare against the coming evil; 
 terror urges us to escape it. 
 
42 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 b 
 Exercise. 
 
 The of some persons during a thunder-storm is so 
 
 great, that it takes away all power of action, and renders them 
 for a time perfectly helpless. 
 
 Whatever may occur in the meantime, I have no 
 
 for the result. 
 
 The poor boy felt such at the sight of this hideous 
 
 mask, that we had some difficulty in calming his agitation, and 
 still more in persuading him that it concealed a human face 
 underneath. 
 
 She has been extremely ill ; and was for several days in such 
 a precarious state, that were entertained for her life. 
 
 The ferocious countenance and gigantic stature of the an- 
 cient Germans at first inspired the Roman soldiers with such 
 
 , that Caesar was obliged to use all his eloquence to 
 
 persuade his men to oppose them in the field. 
 
 Among the many motives which prompt men to obey the 
 laws, of punishment is not the least strong. 
 
 The enemy shot through the walls and fortifications of the 
 town, to the great of the inhabitants. 
 
 Fancy — Imagination. 
 
 Fancy is the power of combining ideas — of bring- 
 ing them together in such a manner as to produce 
 novel and pleasing scenes for the mind to contem- 
 plate. Imagination is the power of endowing sub- 
 stances with qualities and faculties, which in reality 
 they do not possess — of making them think, and 
 speak, and act like beings of another order. The 
 fancy only brings objects together in the mind ; it 
 regards but the outward appearance of things. The 
 
GENEKIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 43 
 
 imagination creates ; it gives interest to the simplest 
 and most insignificant things, by investing them 
 with qualities which immediately render them ob- 
 jects of human sympathy. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Shakspeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream," and Pope's 
 " Rape of the Lock," offer numerous instances of the elegant 
 
 and exuberant of these two poets. 
 
 In Homer and Shakspeare, . , the true test of poetical 
 
 power, is more abundant than in any other poets the world 
 has ever seen. 
 
 is creative — lively — glowing ; it animates all things 
 
 which come within the sphere of its magic influence ; — makes 
 
 them think, and feel, and act, and suffer ; is whimsical 
 
 and capricious, it combines strange, and sometimes incon- 
 gruous elements. Fairies, monsters, gnomes, and spirits are 
 its offspring. 
 
 The following extract from Drayton's "Muse's Elysium" is 
 
 a charming specimen of a delicate : 
 
 " Of leaves of roses, white and red, 
 Shall be the covering of the bed ; 
 The curtains, vallens, tester, all 
 Shall be the flower imperial ; 
 And for the fringe, it all along 
 With azure harebells shall be hung ; 
 Of lilies shall the pillows be. 
 With down stuft of the butterfly." 
 
 We have a striking example of Shakspeare's power of 
 
 in the following lines from " Julius Caesar," Act I.. Scene 3. 
 
 " I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds 
 
 Have rived the knotty oaks ; and I have seen 
 
 The ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam 
 
 To be exalted with the threatening clouds." 
 
44 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYIVIES. b 
 
 Haste — Hurry, 
 
 Haste signifies heat of action. Hurry includes 
 an idea of confusion and want of collected thoughts 
 not to be found in haste. Hurry implies haste, 
 but includes confusion or trepidation. What is 
 done in haste may be done well, but what is done 
 in a hurry can never be done accurately. Haste 
 implies an eager desire to accomplish. Hurry, the 
 same desire, accompanied with the fear of interrup- 
 tion. The derivation of hurry from the Anglo- 
 Saxon verb hergian (to plunder) will illustrate the 
 proper use of the word. It is the feeling that accom- 
 panies those who plunder and take flight. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He ran off in such a , that he spilt the ink all over 
 
 his dress. 
 
 In our to get on board in good time, some of the 
 
 luggage was left behind, and we were obliged to proceed on 
 our voyage without it. 
 
 As I have appointed to meet my brother in Paris, on the 
 
 28th of this month, I must on my journey, or I shall 
 
 arrive there too late to see him, as I know he will be obliged 
 to start the next day for London. 
 
 If you wish the work to be finished by next week, it will be 
 
 necessary to it forward, and consequently it will be 
 
 badly done ; I should strongly recommend you to delay its 
 completion for another week. 
 
 If you do not make , you wiU not finish your exer- 
 cise by one o'clock. 
 
 Though. I am in great , I cannot let sHp this oppor- 
 tunity of informing you that every thing is going on to our 
 greatest satisfaction. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 45 
 
 A List — A Catalogue, 
 
 List is the generic, catalogue the specific term. 
 A list contains no more than the names of things 
 or persons recorded. A catalogue is a systematic 
 list ; it has a certain order which is not implied in 
 a list. A catalogue is arranged alphabetically, or 
 according to some determined principle. The reader 
 will now perceive the difference between a list of 
 books and a catalogue of books. A list of books 
 will merely give their titles, put down without any 
 attention to order. A catalogue of books will give 
 not only the titles, editions, and dates of the books 
 it contains, but will divide them under the several 
 heads of History, Poetry, Philosophy, &c. &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " After I had read over the of persons elected into 
 
 the Tiers Etat, nothing which they afterwards did could appear 
 astonishing." 
 
 The Roman Emperor Domitian kept a of those 
 
 whom he intended to put to death. Three officers of his 
 court, having discovered that their names were among those 
 devoted to destruction, formed a conspiracy against his Ufe. 
 
 " In the hbrary of manuscripts belonging to St. Lawrence, 
 
 of which there is a printed , I looked into the Virgil 
 
 which disputes its antiquity with that of the Vatican." 
 
 Take the of music which was sent yesterday, and 
 
 make a of the pieces you want. 
 
 He was the ablest emperor in all the . 
 
 Some say the loadstone is poison, and therefore in the 
 - of poisons we find it in many authors. 
 
 The of paintings exhibited this year contains a 
 
 greater number of pictures than we have ever before seen. 
 
46 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Manners — Address, 
 
 Address is a species of manners. Our manners 
 signify the way in which we generally behave. An 
 address is the mode of directing ourselves to one 
 person. Those who loll on a sofa, whistle, and 
 pay no attention to the requirements of others, are 
 ill-mannered. Those who, in accosting others, hesi- 
 tate, blush, stammer, and betray a want of self-pos- 
 session, have a bad address. Manners are elegant 
 or vulgar. An address is confident or awkward. 
 Exercise. 
 
 Many persons pay exclusive attention to intellectual pur- 
 suits, and are so enamoured of literature or science, that they 
 
 neglect those external which every well-bred person 
 
 possesses, and which form an essential part in the character of 
 a gentleman. 
 
 A good is not to be acquired by any fixed rules ; we 
 
 must mix much in poUshed society, and acquire that confi- 
 dence in acting and moving which the well-bred unconsciously 
 
 It is very possible to be perfectly well , and yet to 
 
 have an awkward ; good are the necessary result . 
 
 of our habits of thinking as well as acting — they are the colours, 
 so to speak, of our moral and intellectual nature, exhibited 
 externally — the outward effects of our inward turn of thought. 
 
 His education had been deplorably neglected ; he was so 
 ignorant of the lowest rudiments of knowledge, and so rude in 
 , that we found it impossible to remain in his society. 
 
 An awkward ' is perfectly compatible with a veiy 
 
 amiable disposition, and is most frequently found in those 
 who, either from peculiarity of physical temperament, or from 
 defect of character, are of shy and reserved habits. 
 
OENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONTMES. 47 
 
 Negligence — Neglect, 
 Negligence is the habit of leaving undone. Ne- 
 glect is the act of leaving undone. Negligence ap- 
 plies to a state or frame of mind. Neglect is applied 
 to some individual person, or thing, to which we 
 do not pay due attention. The neglect of our duties 
 exposes us to censure. We are negligent in gene- 
 rals, we are neglectful in particulars. Negligent 
 men are neglectful of their duties. Negligence is a 
 quality which should never be suffered to grow up 
 in children. The neglect of moral culture in youth 
 leads to the most baneful effects in after-life. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " The two classes of men most apt to be of this duty 
 
 (religious retirement) are the men of pleasure and the men of 
 business." 
 
 " By a thorough contempt of little excellences, he is per- 
 fectly master of them. This temper of mind leaves him under 
 no necessity of studying his air ; and he has this pecuhar dis- 
 tinction, that his is unaffected." 
 
 By to do what ought to be done, we shall soon ac- 
 quire habits of ■ 
 
 " It is the great excellence of learning that it borrows very 
 little from time or place ; but this quahty, whic^h constitutes 
 much of its value, is one occasion of ." 
 
 He who treats the counsels of the wise with — , will be 
 
 made to repent of his folly by bitter experience. 
 
 His nearly caused his losing the situation. 
 
 The boy's of his master's strict orders led to this 
 
 consequence ; the stable- door being left open, the horse broke 
 loose, and bursting through the fence, trespassed upon a neigh- 
 bour's property. 
 
48 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 News — Tidings, 
 Tidings is a species of neios. The difference be- 
 tween tidings and news is, that we are always more 
 or less interested in tidings ; whereas, we may be 
 indifferent as to news. We may be curious to hear 
 news, but we are always anxious for tidings. We 
 receive news of the political events of Europe ; but 
 we receive tidings of our friends in their absence. 
 No tidings have been received of the steam-ship 
 The President, since she sailed from New York, in 
 March, 1841. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " But perhaps the hour in which we most deeply felt how 
 entirely we had wound and wrapped our oivn poetry in him- 
 self, was that in which the of his death reached this 
 
 country." 
 
 "Yusef reluctantly took up arms, and sent troops to the 
 relief of the place ; when, in the midst of his anxiety, he re- 
 ceived that his dreadful foe had suddenly fallen a 
 
 victim to the plague." 
 
 " His parents received of his seizure, but heyond 
 
 that, they could learn nothing." 
 
 " I wonder that, in the present situation of affairs, you can 
 take pleasure in writing any thing but ." 
 
 " They have gatherers and intelligencers distributed 
 
 into their several walks, who bring in their respective quotas, 
 and make them acquainted mth the discourse of the whole 
 kingdom." 
 
 " In the midst of her reveries and rhapsodies reached 
 
 Newstead of the untimely death of Lord Byron." 
 " Too soon some demon to my father bore 
 The that his heart with anguish tore." 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 49 
 
 An Occasion — An Opportunity, 
 
 Opportunities are particular occasions. An occa- 
 sion presents itself, an opportunity is desired. Op- 
 portunities spring out of occasions. When the 
 circumstances of an occasion are favourable to our 
 purpose, the occasion produces the opportunity. We 
 may have frequent occasion to converse with a per- 
 son, without getting an opportunity of speaking to 
 him on some particular subject. We act as the 
 occasion may require ; we embrace or improve an 
 opportunity. , 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Waller preserved and won his life from those who were 
 
 most resolved to take it, and in an in which he ought 
 
 to have been ambitious to lose it.*' 
 
 " ' Tis hard to imagine one's self in a scene of greater horror 
 
 than on such an , and yet (shall I own it to you ?) 
 
 though I was not at all willing to he drowned, I could not 
 forbear being entertained at the double distress of a feUow 
 passenger." 
 
 " If a philosopher has lived any time, he must have had 
 
 ample of exercising his meditations on the vanity of 
 
 all sublunary conditions." 
 
 " Neglect no of doing good, nor check thy desire of 
 
 doing it by a vain fear of what may happen." 
 
 " A wise man will make more than he finds. Men's 
 
 behaviour should be hke their apparel, not too strait, but free 
 for exercise." 
 
 Have you ever heard what was the and beginning of 
 
 this custom ? 
 
 " At the Louvre, I had the of seeing the King, ac- 
 companied by the Duke Regent." 
 E 
 
50 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 A Picture — A Painting, 
 
 A picture is a representation of objects. A paint- 
 ing is a representation by means of colour. Colour is 
 essential to a painting, though not to a picture. 
 Every painting is a picture, because it represents 
 something; but every picture is not a painting, 
 because every picture is not painted. Form, draw- 
 ing, outline, composition, are the essentials of 
 the picture : these, together with the colouring, 
 make up the painting. In a secondary sense, the 
 same distinction is to be observed. The poet paints 
 in glowing colours. The historian draws a lively 
 picture. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The historian draws such a lively of the folhes 
 
 and vices of that period, that it is impossible to read his 
 account without taking a deep interest in the events which he 
 relates. 
 
 The art of mixing colours, as applied by the old masters in 
 their s, is now lost to the world. 
 
 You cannot easily to yourself any thing more un- 
 pleasant than my situation. In a foreign country, far from 
 home and friends, and without money, I should have perished 
 for want, had it not been for some benevolent merchants, who 
 pitied my forlorn condition and supplied my necessities tiU I 
 should receive remittances from England. 
 
 Most children are dehghted with , and many will 
 
 pore over them with rapture for hom's together. 
 
 The prize destined for him who should make the greatest 
 
 improvement in drawing, was a beautiful water-colour 
 
 by a first-rate artist, mounted and set in an elegant gold 
 ' frame. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC STNONYMES. 51 
 
 A Pillar — A Column. 
 A pillar is a supporting pile. A column is a 
 round pillar. A pillar is smaller than a column. 
 Columns may or may not support the roofs or 
 arches of buildings. Pillars are always used in the 
 sense of supporters. Pillars may be square, or 
 even triangular ; columns are always round. We 
 say " Nelson's column," the " Duke of York's 
 column/' but the Doric or Ionic pillar. We say a 
 column of smoke, because it assumes a round form. 
 Roundness is the distinguishing characteristic of 
 the column. 
 
 Exercise. 
 " Withdraw religion, and you shake aU the — of mo- 
 rality." 
 
 " Some of the old Greek — ^ and altars were brought 
 from the ruins of Apollo's temple at Delos." 
 
 " The palace built by Pious vast and proud, 
 
 Supported on a hundred stood." 
 
 " The whole weight of any of the atmosphere, as 
 
 likewise the specific gravity of its bases, are certainly known 
 by many experiments." 
 " A simultaneous crash resounded through the city, as down 
 
 toppled many a roof and ! the hghtning, as if caught 
 
 by the metal, Hngered an instant on the imperial statue — then 
 
 shivered bronze and ! " 
 
 " I charge you by the law, 
 
 Whereof you are a well deserving , 
 
 Proceed to judgment." 
 
 " Ev'n the best must own 
 
 Patience and resignation are 
 
 Of human peace on earth." 
 " Bound broken clasping ivy twined." 
 
f 
 
 52 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES- 
 
 Pop u la ce — Mob. 
 Populace is from the Italian popolazzo, and sig- 
 nifies the lowest orders of the people taken col- 
 lectively. 3foby from the Latin mohilis, moveable, 
 characterises the fickleness of the populace. Both 
 the words signify an assemblage of the people. 
 When the lower orders meet peaceably, and dis- 
 perse quietly, they are the populace. When the 
 populace commit excesses, riot, or act tumultuously, 
 they become the mob. The populace are vulgar, 
 illiterate, and unrefined. A mob is noisy, riotous, 
 and tumultuous. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Instead, however, of displaying any signs of dissatisfaction, 
 
 the received them with three hearty cheers, and the 
 
 very best understanding prevailed during the whole day, be- 
 tween the people and the civil authorities. 
 
 When the new member reached the gates of the town, he 
 
 was received with deafening cheers by the , who, 
 
 unharnessing the horses from his carriage, dragged him to his 
 hotel in the market-place. 
 
 " By the senseless and insignificant cHnk of misapplied 
 words, some restless demagogues had inflamed the minds of 
 
 the sottish to a strange, unaccountable abhorrence of 
 
 the best of men." 
 
 Several women and children, getting into the thickest of 
 
 the crowd, were much bruised by the before they could 
 
 extricate themselves. 
 
 As the began to show symptoms of a riotous dis- 
 position, a body of police was ordered to the spot, to prevent 
 any outbreak. 
 
 " The tribunes and people, having subdued aU competitors, 
 began the last game of a prevalent , to choose them- 
 selves a master." 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 63 
 
 Posture — Attitude. 
 An attitude (contracted from aptitude) is an ex- 
 pression of internal feeling by that disposition of the 
 limbs which is naturally suited to such an expres- 
 sion. A posture designates no more than the visible 
 position of the body. "We therefore speak of a 
 horizontal posture, an erect posture, or a sleeping 
 posture ; and of an attitude of despair, an attitude 
 of melancholy. If a painter wished to represent a 
 figure in an attitude of devotion, he would draw him 
 in a kneeling posture, with joined, outstretched 
 hands, and eyes uplifted to heaven. An attitude 
 always implies expression ; a posture, in itself, has 
 none. The attitude is the posture, with expression. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 In this of affairs, he determined no longer to hold 
 
 out against the demands of the council. 
 
 He was shut up for three days in a dark closet, which was 
 so small, that he was forced to remain the whole time in a 
 most inconvenient . 
 
 The other nations, which had hitherto stood weU-affected 
 
 towards him, now began to assume a threatening , and 
 
 he soon found himself hemmed in on every side by formidable 
 enemies. 
 
 It is certain that no poet has given more graceful and 
 attractive images of beauty than Milton in his various por- 
 traits of Eve, each in a new situation and . 
 
 The bishop was kneeling at the altar in of the deep- 
 est devotion, and was so absorbed in meditation, that he did 
 not hear the assassins' steps in the cathedral till they were 
 quite close to him. 
 
 E 3 
 
54 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Praise — Applause. 
 
 Praise is the generic, and applause the specific 
 term for tlie expression of our approbation. There 
 is less reflection in applause than in praise. We 
 applaud from impulse. There is reason in our praise. 
 A man is praised for his general conduct, his steadi- 
 ness, sobriety, &c. He is applauded for some 
 particular action. Applause is spontaneous, and 
 called forth by circumstances. We applaud one 
 who saves a fellow creature from drowning. We 
 praise h boy for his attention to study, and obedi- 
 ence to his superiors. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is far better to secure for ourselves the of the 
 
 wise and judicious than the of the multitude. 
 
 This statement was received by the people with shouts of 
 
 , and preparations were immediately made for the 
 
 pr oper reception of this distinguished visiter. 
 
 The of so eminent a scholar was for him a higher 
 
 gratification than all the success he had met with. 
 
 The resolution met with general . 
 
 He was much not only for his diligence and regu- 
 larity, but also for his general good conduct. 
 
 " I would thee to the very echo, 
 
 That should again." 
 
 How many are greedy of public , and how little do 
 
 they taste it when they have it ! 
 
 The justice and moderation he discovered in the adminis- 
 tration of the affairs of the island gained him the 
 
 and esteem of the inhabitants during the whole time he 
 resided among them as governor. 
 
GENERIC AND. SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 55 
 
 Bobber— Thief. ^ 
 
 A robber attacks us openly, and takes away our 
 property by main force. A thief enters our house 
 in the dark, conceals himself, and takes away our 
 property by stealth. The robber plunders ; the 
 thief steals. The robber employs violence ; the 
 thief, guile for the same purpose. The robber 
 braves the laws; the thief fears detection. An 
 active police may prevent the frequent occurrence of 
 robbery ; but thieves are more difficult to catch than 
 robbers : nothing but an improved tone of morality 
 will entirely banish thieving. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 During the night, when all were asleep, some had 
 
 entered the house, and stolen plate and jewels to the value 
 of some hundreds of poimds. 
 
 Travellers in the mountains of Italy are frequently stopped 
 by , and stripped of all their property. 
 
 The country, which is very thinly inhabited, is infested 
 
 with bands of who attack travellers in the open day, 
 
 and escape, almost without fear of detection, to the mountain 
 fastnesses with which the whole of this region abounds. 
 
 What was his surprise, on his return, to find that his desk 
 
 and trunks had been broken open by in his absence, 
 
 and plundered of every thing valuable they contained ! 
 
 " Take heed, have open eye, for do foot by night." 
 
 The whole of the property was taken from the warehouse 
 between twelve and one o'clock, while the workmen were gone 
 to dinner ; and though every attempt has been made to dis- 
 cover the , we have as yet been unsuccessful. 
 
 E 4 
 
56 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 Safety — Security. 
 
 Those who are out of danger are in safety ; those 
 who are beyond the reach of danger are in security. 
 Safety regards the present moment with respect to 
 the past ; security regards the future as well as the 
 present. Security implies the absence of all ap- 
 prehension ; safety merely imports the absence of 
 danger. Those who are in a vessel during a storm 
 at sea are not in safety during the storm, nor are 
 they in security from the dangers of the sea till 
 they have reached the shore. Money is placed in 
 fire- proof boxes for security. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " It cannot be for any man to walk upon a preci- 
 pice, and to be always on the very border of destruction." 
 
 " No man can rationally account himself unless he 
 
 could command all the chances of the world." 
 
 " For, as Eome itself is built on an exhausted volcano, so 
 
 in similar the inhabitants of the south tenanted the 
 
 green and vine-clad places around a volcano whose fires they 
 believed at rest for ever." 
 
 " I am now, my dear sister ^ly arrived at Vienna, and, 
 
 I thank God, have not at all suffered in my health, nor, what 
 is dearer to me, in that of my child, by all our fatigues." 
 
 " Whether any of the reasonings are inconsistent, I ly 
 
 leave to the judgment of the reader." 
 
 " Who is there that hath the leisure and means to coUect 
 all the proofs concerning most of the opinions he has, so as 
 ly to conclude that he hath a clear and full view ?" 
 
 " As long as he was rich, none pried into his conduct; he 
 pursued the dark tenor of his way undisturbed and ." 
 
GENEKIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 57 
 
 Shape — Form. 
 
 The form of a thing is what results from the 
 arrangement of the parts of its substance, and in- 
 cludes not only its exterior surface, but also its 
 internal solidity. Shape refers to the entire surface 
 of the form ; not merely its outline, but its whole 
 superficies. The form includes length, breadth, and 
 thickness. The shape is merely what we can see of 
 the outside. A marble has the form of a sphere, 
 i, e. the qualities'of rotundity and solidity. It has 
 the shape of a sphere, because it presents a spherical 
 surface to the eye or touch. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " God man out of the dust of the ground." 
 
 Philosophers describe the earth as having the of an 
 
 orange, that is, like a flattened sphere. 
 
 " The first watches were not made round as they are now, 
 but were of an oval , and were called Niiremberg eggs." 
 
 " Fathers and mothers, friends and relations, seem to have 
 no other wish towards the little girl, but that she may have a 
 fair skin, a fine , dress well, and dance to admiration." 
 
 " Gold will endure a vehement fire without any change, and 
 after it has been divided by corrosive Hquors into invisible 
 parts, yet may presently be precipitated, so as to appear again 
 in its ." 
 
 " It stood still, but I could not discern the thereof.'' 
 
 " The other , 
 
 If ' it could be called which had none, 
 
 Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb." 
 
 " The .11 of the locusts were Hke unto horses prepared 
 
 for battle." 
 
58 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Talent — Genius, 
 Genius is a strong bent of the mind to some occu- 
 pation in which the faculty of imagination is chiefly 
 employed. Genius originates ideas, creates new forms, 
 new expressions. Talent is employed in reducing to 
 practice the ideas of others. Talent imitates faith- 
 fully, copies correctly, evolves diligently ; but ori- 
 ginates nothing. Great artists are geniuses. Great 
 historians are men of talent. We speak of a genius 
 for poetry, painting, music, &c. ; and of a talent for 
 mathematics, history, diplomacy. In genius, the 
 imagination is exercised, in talent, the memory. 
 
 Eopercise. 
 
 His unfitted him for the every-day routine of ordi- 
 nary hfe, and he longed for an opportunity to distinguish 
 himself against the enemies of his country. 
 
 The unparalleled cruelty and intolerable severity of this 
 general towards his soldiers made him generally detested; but 
 
 . he was a man of such that the state could not dispense 
 
 with his services, and he was appointed to take the command 
 of the expedition. 
 
 In the greatest emergencies the greatest are called 
 
 forth. 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest military 
 
 that ever lived; and he was born at a time in which the most 
 
 favourable opportunities for the display of his were 
 
 afforded him. 
 
 The of Homer shines hke the morning star on the 
 
 horizon of antiquity. 
 
 It is a melancholy reflection, that the most briUiant 
 
 are oftener employed in vicious pursuits than in furthering 
 the cause of truth and virtue. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 59 
 
 Temper — Humour, 
 
 Temper is fixed ; humour is temporary. The 
 former belongs to the permanent character of the 
 individual, and exercises an influence, for good or 
 for evil, over all the actions of his life ; the latter 
 expresses a state of mind produced by particular 
 circumstances, and extends over a comparatively 
 short space of time. The best-tempered men are 
 occasionally in an ill-humour, and those of the worst 
 temper have their moments of good- humour. The 
 good-tempered are, of course, much more frequently 
 in a good-humour than those of a contrary disposi- 
 tion. Temper seems to be the principle : humour, 
 its result. Cheerfulness has been defined — "An 
 habitual good-humour." 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 My friend is a man of such excellent , that I do not 
 
 think I ever saw him in an ill . 
 
 The moment he entered the room, I saw that something 
 
 had vexed him, for he was in such an ill , that he 
 
 seemed resolved to be pleased with nothing I could say or do. 
 
 Since my cousin's return, I find her very much altered; she 
 has no longer the same even — - for which she was so 
 
 remarkable, but frequently falls into fits of which 
 
 make her far fi:om an agreeable companion. 
 
 He was a man of very grave and reserved , but when 
 
 in the , he could unbend, and be as communicative and 
 
 agreeable as others. 
 
60 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3iIES. 
 
 Temple — Church. 
 
 Temple is the genus, church the species. A 
 church is a Christian temple. The gods of the 
 ancients were worshipped in temples. The God of 
 Christians is worshipped in churches. Church 
 signifies " the house of the Lord ;" temple is derived 
 from templum, the Latin word for a building con- 
 secrated to the worship of a divinity. The word 
 temple, however, is used by modern writers to 
 signify the place where God chooses to dwell ; in 
 contradistinction from church, as conveying the idea 
 of the place in which he is worshipped. This may 
 be illustrated in the expressions, " the temple of the 
 Lord ; " and " the Christian church.*' Since, how- 
 ever, God is omnipresent, it is evident that every 
 church must be a temple, though every temple is not 
 a church. The leading idea in temple is place, i. e, 
 holy place. The prominent idea in church is worship, 
 L e, place of worship. 
 
 The word church is frequently employed in the 
 sense of " an assembly of the' faithful," or to specify 
 a sect of Christians ; as, " the church of Christ," 
 " the church of England," the " Catholic church," 
 &c. &c. The word temple is never so used. 
 
 Uxercise. 
 
 In the earliest times, there appear to have been very few 
 
 at Kome, and in many spots the worship of a certain 
 
 divinity had existed from time immemorial, though we hear 
 of no building of a temple to the same divinity till a compara- 
 ively late period* * 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 61 
 
 It is said that Ethelbert, on his conversion, gave up his own 
 
 palace to tke missionaries, and the which they built 
 
 adjoining it occupied the site of the present cathedral of Can- 
 terbury. 
 
 Henry the Second, the most powerful monarch of his time, 
 
 having ended his contest with the , now looked forward 
 
 to the enjoyment of peace and tranquillity. 
 
 The character of the early Greek was dark and 
 
 mysterious, for they had no windows, and they received the 
 light only through the door, wliich was very large, or from 
 lamps burning in them. 
 
 Vestige — Trace, 
 
 A vestige is properly the mark made by a foot- 
 step ; a trace is a succession of marks. They both 
 refer to indistinct appearances of bygone things or 
 actions. A vestige is an isolated mark. A trace 
 consists of a number of succeeding marks, partly 
 obliterated, but still indistinctly connected. Ves- 
 tiges are scattered ; traces are followed. Vestiges 
 are points by which we may trace. If a plough 
 should be dug up on an uninhabited island, it might 
 be considered as a vestige of its former cultivation. 
 If, in the same island, the remains of hedges, old 
 gates, tools, ruins of farm-houses, &c., were disco- 
 vered, they might be looked upon as traces of agri- 
 culture. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Many of the Eoman dominion are still to be found 
 
 in all the southern, and some of the northern countries of 
 Europe. 
 
62 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 In many parts of England, of Roman roads, en- 
 campments, and fortifications have been discovered, which 
 prove the state of perfection in arts, as well as arms, which 
 the ancient rulers of the world had attained. 
 
 The walls of ancient Jerusalem were destroyed to their 
 very foundations by the soldiers of Titus ; so that the prophecy 
 was literally fulfilled, that not a of her former great- 
 ness should remain. 
 
 The patient, though he had suffered severely from his long 
 illness, was now perfectly recovered ; and neither his counte- 
 nance nor frame bore the slightest of the effects of the 
 
 disease under which he had so long laboured. 
 
 Vice — Sin. 
 Sin is an oiFence against the commands of God. 
 Vice is an offence against morality. Whatever is 
 contrary to the Divine law is a sin ; whatever is 
 contrary to the precepts of morality is a vice. Sin 
 has reference to the relation between God and man ; 
 vice refers to the relation between man and man. 
 The harm we do ourselves by sin is, that we thereby 
 incur the anger of our Maker. The harm we do 
 ourselves by vice is, that we thereby render our- 
 selves less capable of fulfilling our duties to our fel- 
 low-creatures. The same act may be both sinful 
 and vicious ; sinful, because it is contrary to the law 
 of God; vicious, because it is injurious to society. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " If a man makes his public, though they be such 
 
 as seem principally to affect himself (as drunkenness, or the 
 
GENEEIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 63 
 
 like), they then become, by the bad example they set, of per- 
 nicious effect to society." 
 
 " Proud views and vain desires in our worldly employments 
 
 are as truly and corruptions as hypocrisy in prayer, or 
 
 vanity in alms." 
 
 " Every single gross act of is much the same thing 
 
 to the conscience that a great blow or fall is to the head ; it 
 stuns and bereaves it of all use of its senses for a time." 
 
 " Virtue and chiefly imply the relation of our ac- 
 tions to men in this world ; and holiness rather imply 
 
 their relation to God and the other world." 
 
 " I cannot blame him for inveighing so sharply against the 
 ■ of the clergy in his age." 
 
 " It is a great to swear unto a , 
 
 But greater to keep a sinful oath." 
 
 Way — Road. 
 
 Way is the generic term, and road is the species 
 of way. According to Home Tooke, road is the 
 way which any one has rode (?) over. Way is from 
 the Saxon wegan, to move ; it is the line along which 
 you move. A pathway — a high road. Instead 
 of keeping the high road to a town, you may fre- 
 quently go a shorter way across the fields. In like 
 manner, abstractly, the high road to preferment 
 is the way commonly taken ; the way to prefer- 
 ment is the one which any individual may choose to 
 adopt. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The nearest to reach the village is along the high 
 
64 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 "The best and the surest to accompUsh your wish 
 
 will be to engage a master, and read with him three or four 
 hours a day." 
 
 " To be indifferent whether we embrace falsehood or truth 
 
 is the great to error." 
 
 " I am amazed, and lose my 
 
 Among the thorns and dangers of this world." 
 The real to become rich is to be diligent and in- 
 dustrious. 
 
 The high to good fortune is through the prince's 
 
 favour. 
 
 " Attending long in vain, I took the 
 
 Which through a path but scarcely printed lay." 
 
 The traveller had missed his , and lost liimself in the 
 
 mazes of an intricate wood. 
 
 " An old man who was travelling along the , groaning 
 
 under a huge burden, found himself so weary that he called 
 upon death to deliver him." 
 
 Word — Term, 
 
 A word is a combination of letters conveying 
 an idea. A term is a species of word ; it is any 
 word which is made the subject or the predicate of 
 a proposition.* Nouns, adjectives, and verbs (in 
 the infinitive mood) are terms, when they are used 
 as the subjects or the predicates of propositions. 
 In the proposition, " The wind blows," the word 
 " wind^' and the word ^* hlows^* are both terms. In 
 
 * See " English, or the Art of Composition," by the Author, 
 p. 36. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 65 
 
 the sentence, " The house was blown down by the 
 violence of the wind," '^ violence, ^^ and '^wind,^^ 
 though both words, are not terms, because they are 
 not here used either as the subject or predicate of 
 the proposition. The object of defining is to lay 
 down the precise meaning of terms, and show the 
 exact limits to which they extend. The word term 
 is properly applied in defining. It is only to terms 
 that we can apply a definition. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " In painting, the greatest beauties cannot always be ex- 
 pressed for want of-= ." 
 
 "The use of the minister is brought down to the 
 
 hteral signification of it, a servant ; for now, to serve and to 
 minister, servile and ministerial, are equivalent." 
 
 Purity of style depends on the choice of . 
 
 "Among men who confound their ideas with , there 
 
 must be endless disputes, wrangling, and jargon." 
 
 " Had the Roman language continued in common use, it 
 
 would have been necessary, from the many of art 
 
 required in trade and in war, to have made great additions 
 to it." 
 
 " Those parts of nature into which the chaos was divided, 
 they signified by dark and obscure names, which we nave 
 expressed in their plain and proper ." 
 
 It is an affectation of style to introduce many technical 
 into our composition. 
 
 To augur — to forebode. 
 Augur, from the Latin augurium, refers to the 
 superstition of the ancient Romans, by which they 
 
 F 
 
66 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 pretended to predict future events. Forebode, from 
 the Ssixon forebodian, signifies to tell beforehand. 
 
 In distinguishing between the modern use of these 
 words, it is to be observed that there is more of 
 chance in augury, and more of reasoning in fore- 
 boding. Moreover, an augury may be for good or 
 for evil, whereas foreboding is scarcely ever used in 
 a good sense. It may be almost said that to augur 
 evil is to forebode. Again, an augury is founded 
 upon outward appearances ; a foreboding is founded - 
 upon induction. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He never could take a bright view of any question ; but 
 whatever appearance it might present, he had always the 
 unhappy knack of some evil consequence from it. 
 
 The sun rose clear and bright ; the morning air was pure 
 and deliciously fresh ; pearly drops of crystal dew stood glit- 
 tering on leaves of the brightest green, and all nature seemed 
 to a happy result to the ceremony of this eventful day. 
 
 " This looks not well ! " exclaimed the doctor, raising his 
 head suddenly from the book which he had been examining 
 with apparently the most intense eagerness for the last five 
 
 minutes — "This looks not well! these characters no 
 
 success, either to the undertaking or to any engaged in it. 
 I withdraw my name from among its supporters." 
 
 I saw by the smile on his countenance that he had succeeded 
 in his wishes ; and he soon after informed me that every thing 
 
 favourably, and that he had every hope of obtaining 
 
 the situation. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 67 
 
 To bestow — to confer. 
 
 To bestow signifies to place, or lay out ; to confer^ 
 to bear towards or upon. The idea of giving is 
 common to both these verbs. They differ in this — 
 that the former is said of things given between per- 
 sons in private life ; the latter, of things given from 
 persons in authority to those below them in rank. 
 It is true that people of the same rank or condition 
 of life are said to confer favours on each other; but 
 then there is always in such cases an assumed in- 
 feriority on the part of the receiver. The king 
 confers the honour of knighthood. Princes confer 
 privileges. One friend bestows favours on another. 
 We bestow charity on the poor. It is also to be 
 observed, that these verbs are scarcely ever used 
 with any other than abstract nouns. Honours, digni- 
 ties, privileges, &c., are conferred. Praise, charity, 
 kindness, pains, &c., are bestowed. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Princes should dignities as rewards of merit, not, 
 
 as is generally the case, with a view to secure their own 
 interests. 
 
 I considered the whole affair so insignificant, that I have 
 not thought it worth while to —another thought upon the 
 subject. 
 
 Unless you much time and attention on the subject, 
 
 you will never succeed in comprehending it fally. 
 
 Wolsey rose rapidly in the king's favour, and accommo- 
 dated himself with such facihty to all Henry's caprices, that 
 F 2 
 
68 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 the highest honours were— —upon him, and all the affairs 
 of state were soon intrusted to his management. 
 
 Great care was upon his education. 
 
 It sometimes happens that even enemies and en\dous per- 
 sons the sincerest marks of esteem when they least 
 
 design it. 
 
 " On him the poet's sacred name, 
 
 Whose lofty voice declares the heavenly frame." 
 
 To bring — to fetch 
 
 To bring is to convey to ; it is a simple act : to 
 fetch is a compound act ; it means to go and bring. 
 When two persons are in the same room, and one 
 asks the other to bring him something, we must 
 suppose the person addressed to be near the object 
 required. In order to fetch, we must go to some 
 distance for the object. Potatoes are brought to 
 market. Children are fetched from school; i.e. 
 when some one goes to bring them. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The parHament, however, maintained their power with 
 
 continued success, and the king was at length to his 
 
 trial. 
 
 On the 20th of next December, just before the Christmas 
 holidays, my father has promised that he will take me with 
 him when he goes to my brothers from school. 
 
 I have desired the servant to your brother home 
 
 from his uncle's at nine o'clock this evening. 
 
 If you will call upon me to-morrow at three o'clock, I shall 
 he at home and glad to see you ; but do not forget to 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 69 
 
 your books, as without them, you will not be able to take a 
 lesson. 
 
 On the evening of the birthday, the prizes were all 
 
 into the drawing-room, and laid on a large table ; the children 
 being then placed on forms arranged across the other end of 
 
 the room, each, in his turn, was told to his prize from 
 
 the table and take it to his seat. 
 
 This admonition at last produced the desired effect, and 
 him to a proper sense of his guilt. 
 
 What appeared to me wonderful was, that none of the ants 
 came home without ing something. 
 
 I have said before, that those ants which I did so parti- 
 cularly consider, their com out of a garret. 
 
 To hury — to inter. 
 
 To bury is to conceal from public view ; to inter 
 is to put into the earth with ceremony. We bury 
 in order to cover up ; we inter from a religious 
 motive. Interring is a species of burying. A 
 miser may bury his money in a hole in his garden, 
 or may bury his face in his handkerchief. Those 
 who are buried with religious ceremonies are in- 
 terred. We can scarcely say correctly that a man 
 is interred in a tomb unless the tomb be below the 
 surface of the earth. Dogs are never interred, 
 though they are frequently buried. To bury is 
 often used in an abstract sense : as to bury animo- 
 sity, to bury hope, &c. To inter is seldom used 
 abstractly. 
 
 F 3 
 
70 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The corpse of Henry V. was near the shrine of 
 
 Edward the Confessor ; and the tomb was long visited by the 
 people with sentiments of veneration and regret. 
 
 William I. caused the body of Harold to be on the 
 
 sea- shore, saying: "He guarded the coast when living; let 
 him stiU guard it now that he is dead." 
 
 " The evil that men do lives after them, 
 The good is oft with their bones." 
 
 It was formerly the custom in England to the dead 
 
 at some distance from any town or city. 
 
 The ashes, in an old record of the convent, are said to have 
 
 been between the very wall and the altar where they 
 
 were taken up. 
 
 They determined thenceforward to live on good terms with 
 each other, and to all past animosities in oblivion. 
 
 The house suddenly fell in, and six of the workmen were 
 in the ruins. 
 
 To clothe — to dress. 
 
 To clothe is to cover the body ; to dress is to 
 cover it in a certain manner. Dressing is a mode 
 of clothing. "We clothe to protect our bodies from 
 the inclemency of the weather; we dress in con- 
 formity with the custom of the country. The dress 
 is all the clothes taken together. Savages are 
 clothed in skins. In Europe, men are generally 
 dressed in coats and trousers. The clothing, again, 
 is the material. The dress is the manner in which 
 it is made up. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 71 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Being exposed to the rigour of a severe winter, without suf- 
 ficient to protect him from the inclemency of the sea- 
 son, his health became so materially injured, that he never 
 again recovered his strength, and died in the ensuing autumn. 
 
 The North- American Indians are generally in buf- 
 falo skins, but on grand o/3casions they decorate their bodies 
 with a profusion of feathers and shells. 
 
 The stranger presented a striking, and not unattractive ap- 
 pearance ; he was in a Spanish doublet, with slashed 
 
 sleeves, a dark-brown mantle, carelessly thrown over one 
 shoulder, with a broad-brimmed hat drawn over his brow, 
 and surmounted with a long plume. 
 
 "The of savage nations is everywhere pretty much 
 
 the same, being calculated rather to inspire terror than to 
 excite love or respect." 
 
 "Some writers say that the girdle worn by the ancient 
 Jewish priests was thirty-two ells long ; according to others 
 it went twice round the waist. The latter account seems the 
 more probable, because in a warm climate, such a— — — 
 would have been highly inconvenient. 
 
 To calculate — to reckon. 
 To calculate is the general science by which we 
 arrive at a certain result. To reckon refers to the 
 details of calculation in attaining a sum total or 
 amount. Calculation is any operation whatever — 
 not confined to arithmetic or geometry — by which 
 a certain knowledge is arrived at. The astronomer 
 calculates ; the statesman calculates. The account- 
 ant reckons ; the merchant reckons his losses or 
 gains. 
 
 F 4 
 
72 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Astronomers are able to eclipses with astonishing 
 
 precision. 
 
 from the foundation of Rome to the birth of Christ, 
 
 there are seven hundred and fifty- three years. 
 
 In chronology, there are two modes of ; one, from 
 
 the creation so many years before the birth of Christ, and the 
 other, so many years from the birth of Christ up to the present 
 time. 
 
 The epoch of the era of the Hegira is, according to the 
 
 common , Friday, the 16th of July, A.D. 622, the day 
 
 of the flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina. 
 
 In England, in the seventh, and so late as the thirteenth 
 century, the year was from Christmas- day. 
 
 The Gregorian calendar was adopted in the Low Countries 
 on the 15th [25th] of December, 1582 : Francis, Duke of 
 Alen9on, having on the 10th of that month ordered that the 
 
 day next following the 14th of December should be as 
 
 the 25th instead of the 15th. 
 
 The greater the number of elements that enter into a , 
 
 and the greater the discord among those elements, the more 
 difficult must it be to arrive at any thing hke a certain 
 result. 
 
 from last Monday, it will be eight weeks before we 
 
 see him again. 
 
 To do — to make. 
 
 To do is the generic term to express action ; to 
 make, the specific. Making is a mode of doing. 
 We cannot make without doing, though we may do 
 without making. To do is more frequently used 
 with abstract things ; to make, with concrete. We 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 73 
 
 do right or wrong ; we do our duty. Children make 
 a noise ; a carpenter makes a table. Again, to do is 
 a' simple act: to make is compound, as it implies 
 thought and contrivance, and contains the ideas of 
 formation and production. 
 
 N.B. Both these verbs are used idiomatically in 
 a great variety of senses. These idioms do not, 
 however, interfere w^iththe above explanation, which 
 is of their general acceptation. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 What are you ? I am a silk purse for my 
 
 brother. 
 
 He who every thing in a hurry, can- nothing 
 
 well. 
 
 Can I any thing for you ? Yes, I shall be obliged 
 
 to you, if you will help me to this card-box. 
 
 ing well has something more in it than the fulfilling 
 
 of a duty. 
 
 His copy was written neatly, his letters handsomely, 
 
 and no blot seen on his book. 
 
 Seneca says, our lives are spent either in nothing at 
 
 all, or in nothing to the purpose, or in nothing 
 
 that we ought to . 
 
 As every prince should govern as he would desire to be go- 
 verned, so every subject ought to obey as he would desire to 
 
 be obeyed, according to the maxim of ing as we would 
 
 be- by. 
 
 To divide — to separate. 
 To divide is to cut into parts ; to separate is to 
 place those parts at a distance from each other. Ob- 
 
74 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 jects may be divided, and yet near ; to be separated, 
 they must be removed from each other. A hermit 
 is separated from the rest of the world. Society is 
 divided into classes. The highest are separated from 
 the lowest classes. A man may divide his time into 
 hours of study and hours of recreation. Divisions 
 are natural, separations more violent. The year is 
 divided into months, weeks, and days. Two vessels 
 become separated in a storm. There cannot be a 
 separation without a division, though there may be 
 a division without a separation. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Alfred the Great his time into three equal parts ; 
 
 allotting the first to prayer and pious exercises, the second to 
 business, and the third to sleep and refreshment. 
 
 England is from France by the English Channel. 
 
 The river llhine France from Germany. 
 
 Alexander Selkirk, from whose adventures De Foe took his 
 story of "Robinson Crusoe," lived for several years on an 
 
 uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean, wholly — ■ from 
 
 human society. 
 
 Ireland is into four provinces. Ulster is 
 
 from Munster by the provinces of Leinster and Connaught. 
 
 Opinions on the question of the Irish Union were- 
 
 some holding that it should be immediately repealed, and 
 
 others contending that the repeal would involve a of 
 
 the two countries. 
 
 If we the Hfe of most men into twenty pants, we shall 
 
 find at le^st nineteen of them filled with gaps and chasms, 
 which are neither filled up with pleasure nor business. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC STNONYMES. 75 
 
 To doubt — to question. 
 
 We doubt within ourselves. The cause of our 
 doubt is our imperfect knowledge. When we ques- 
 tion^ it is with the view that our doubt should be 
 removed. By questioning, we endeavour to remove 
 our ignorance, and thus resolve our doubt. Thus, 
 we doubt the veracity of an historian ; i. e. the 
 knowledge we possess prevents us from assenting to 
 the truth of his statements. If we set about resolv- 
 ing our doubts by inquiring into the truth of his 
 writings, we question his veracity. We may doubt 
 without questioning, but we cannot question without 
 doubting. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There are many things of which it would be very irrational 
 
 to , but there are also others which we may • 
 
 with great reason. 
 
 The Pyrrhonians were a sect of philosophers, who not only 
 of every thing they saw and heard, but even of their 
 
 own existence. 
 
 It is a whether, if Hannibal had taken Rome, and 
 
 destroyed the empire of the Romans, it would have been more 
 advantageous for the human race. 
 
 I have never his veracity, for I have too high an 
 
 opinion of his regard for every thing honourable and just, to 
 suppose him capable of saying any thing false. 
 
 Some truths are intuitive; such as, for example, "the 
 whole is greater than its part ; " " two straight lines cannot 
 inclose a space," &c. : it would argue a want of common sense 
 
 to such truths for a moment; they are self-evident 
 
 propositions. 
 
 He told me that he had never that the prisoner had 
 
76 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 committed the crime, although he was aware there would be 
 great difficulty in convicting him. 
 
 To expect — to hope. 
 
 We expect what we think will probably occur. 
 "We hope what we strongly desire to happen. We 
 may expect an occurrence which will give us pain, 
 but it is not in human nature to hope for such an 
 occurrence. Thus, I may expect — though I can- 
 not hope — to hear of the death of a dear friend. 
 Expectation regards merely the anticipation of 
 future events without any reference to their being 
 agreeable or otherwise. Hope is always acom- 
 panied with pleasure, and is employed upon those 
 events which are likely to be attended with gratifi- 
 cation to ourselves. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 In the middle of the night, the storm raged with such 
 
 violence, that none of the passengers the vessel would 
 
 outlive the gale. 
 
 The father had that his son would occupy the same 
 
 distinguished rank in his profession as himself. 
 
 Every man one day to withdraw from the bustle and 
 
 tumult of the world, and spend the remainder of his life in 
 quiet ease. 
 
 He was doomed, however, to be cruelly disappointed ; for 
 he soon after received news that his son was dangerously 
 ill, and that his death was hourly . 
 
 He had that his friends would arrive in the course 
 
 of the afternoon, and had prepared eveiy thing for their 
 reception. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 77 
 
 My cousin sailed for India some months ago ; I to 
 
 hear soon of his safe arrival at Calcutta. 
 
 " Kegions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 
 
 And rest can never dwell ; never comes 
 
 That comes to all." 
 " All these within the dungeon's depth remain. 
 Despairing pardon, and ing pain." 
 
 To finish — to conclude. 
 To conclude is a species of finishing ; it means to 
 bring to a close for a time, implying a possibility, if 
 not a probability, that we shall continue the action. 
 To finish is to cease from acting, with either no 
 power or no intention of resuming. In reading a 
 book, we may conclude when we come to the end of 
 a chapter or paragraph ; but we finish when we come 
 to the end of the last page. A sermon which is 
 divided into many sections may be concluded on one 
 Sunday, and finished on the next. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He his observations by calhng the attention of the 
 
 meeting to the marked improvement in the condition of the 
 poorer classes in that part of the country. 
 
 According to the established rules of the society, the com- 
 petitors had all their pictures, and sent them in for 
 
 exhibition by the 1st of May. 
 
 I have not yet quite reading the book you were kind 
 
 enough to lend me ; but I have already begun the 
 
 chapter, and I hope to return you the volume by to-morrow 
 evening. 
 
 The prizes were distributed among the successful candidates, 
 
78 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 after which, the members of the society dined together ; and 
 
 the entertainments of the day were by a dance. 
 
 Every evening, after his daily labour was , he occupied 
 
 himself in reading ; his master kindly supplying him with books 
 from his own library. 
 
 This exercise must be -before five o'clock. 
 
 The great work of which Justinian has the credit, although 
 
 it comprehends the whole system of jurisprudence, was , 
 
 we are told, in three years. 
 
 " Destruction hangs on every word we speak, 
 
 On every thought, till the ing stroke 
 
 Determines all, and closes our design." 
 
 To give — to grant. 
 To give is the simple term which expresses the act 
 of conveying property from one individual to an- 
 other. To ^raw^ implies a previous desire expressed 
 by the receiver of the gift. We give on common 
 occasions. We grant on occasions of importance. 
 Permission, requests, favours, prayers, petitions, &c., 
 are granted. Meat, clothes, wine, &c., are given. 
 We grant what we have the power of withholding. 
 To give is not necessarily coupled with such a 
 condition. 
 
 Exercise* 
 
 Having the most confident anticipation that his petition 
 
 would be ', he incurred many unnecessary expenses; 
 
 great, then, was his mortification on learning, that instead of 
 
 presenting his petition to the king, the minister had 
 
 the document to his secretary without even reading it through. 
 
 Three more days were to the prisoner to collect 
 
 evidence for his approaching trial 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNGNT:MES. 79 
 
 We are all required to a portion of our substance 
 
 towards alleviating the sufferings, and providing for the wants, 
 of the poor. 
 
 Those who cannot reasons for their ordinary actions 
 
 have scarcely a right to be treated as rational persons. 
 
 These desperate men, who had led an abandoned life, had 
 long ceased to be recognised as citizens ; and a war ensued in 
 
 consequence of the republic refusing to their demand 
 
 to be admitted to the rights of citizenship. 
 
 If you will but me this favour, I shall hold myself 
 
 bound to you through life. 
 
 " He heard, and half his prayer ; 
 
 The rest the winds dispersed." 
 
 Nature us many children and friends to take them 
 
 away ; but takes none away to them us again. 
 
 To gain — to win. 
 
 To gain is a generic — to win, a specific term. 
 These words express different modes of acquiring 
 possession, and are to be distinguished by the cir- 
 cumstances which respectively attend them. We 
 gain with intention, we win by chance. We may 
 reasonably count upon our gains. Our winnings 
 depend on fortune. We do not gain, but win a 
 prize in the lottery. We do not win, but gain a 
 fortune by continued attention to business. A vic- 
 tory may be both gained and won : gained, as con- 
 cerns the endeavours of the victors ; won, as far as 
 it was a question of chance which fortune decided in 
 their favour. Credit, friends, power, influence, &c., 
 are gained. A race, a wager, a prize, &c., are won. 
 
80 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He determined to deposit a portion of his weekly 
 
 in the Savings' Bank, in order that he might have some pro- 
 vision against sickness or old age. 
 
 Those who large sums of money by betting, or in 
 
 lotteries, seldom apply them to useful purposes. 
 
 My cousin, who is inferior in abilities to many of his school- 
 fellows, was much surprised on being informed, after the 
 examination, that he had the prize. 
 
 Though I have looked into several books of reference, I can 
 no satisfactory information on this subject. 
 
 How often do we strive to things which possess no 
 
 real advantages ! 
 
 The horse who the race dropped down immediately 
 
 after reaching the goal, and expired in a few minutes. 
 
 Neither Virgil nor Horace would have so great 
 
 a reputation in the world, had they not been the friends and 
 admirers of each other. 
 
 Where the danger ends, the hero ceases; and when he 
 
 has an empire, the rest of his story is not worth 
 
 relating. 
 
 To have — to possess. 
 
 To have is the generic term ; to possess is a spe- 
 cies of having. He who possesses has, but he who 
 has does not always possess. What we have does 
 not always belong to us, and therefore we cannot 
 dispose of it according to our will. "We have entire 
 power over what we possess, and it is peculiarly 
 our own. What we have does not remain long 
 ours, but is contiaually shifting, as money, which 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 8 1 
 
 circulates in all classes of society. What we possess 
 is permanently our own, as an estate or a house. 
 We are masters of what we possess, but not always 
 of what we have. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I a small parcel at home belonging to you, which 
 
 shall be sent to your house early to-morrow morning. 
 
 He is in all respects an excellent man, and every 
 
 desirable quality. 
 
 What has become of the books which were ^dehvered here 
 
 yesterday ? I them up stairs in my Ubrary, and you 
 
 shall them before you go home. 
 
 He must be extremely wealthy, for besides funded 
 property to a large amount, there is scarcely a county in 
 England in which he does not an estate. 
 
 How many sheets of paper will you require for your 
 exercise ? I three, but I think I shall want one more. 
 
 When the will was opened, it was found, to the great sur- 
 prise and astonishment of all his relations, that he had left 
 every thing he to a perfect stranger. 
 
 He found, after paying all his debts, that he Hterally 
 
 nothuig left for himself. 
 
 To help — to assist 
 
 To help is the generic term, and expresses a sim- 
 ple act ; to assist is a specific term, and expresses a 
 mode of helping. A man is helped at his labour ; 
 assisted in any intellectual pursuit. Help is more 
 immediately wanted than assistance. Help is wanted 
 in labour, danger, difficulties, &c. ; assistance is re- 
 
 G 
 
82 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 quired in the pursuit of some study, or the per- 
 formance of some work. When a man is attacked 
 by robbers, he calls for help, not for assistance. He 
 who rescues a man in this situation from danger 
 helps him ; but if he should do more — if he should 
 second his endeavours to put the ruffians to flight, 
 or to capture some of them, he assists him. In fine, 
 he who is suffering is helped ; he who is doing is 
 assisted. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is said that the author was materially in his work 
 
 by a friend, who carefully revised his manuscript, making 
 many corrections, and supplying several deficiencies. 
 
 Had it not been for a friend, who him out of his 
 
 difficulties, he must have gone to prison. 
 
 In the middle of the night, I was awakened by loud cries 
 of " ! ' !" I immediately started up, and has- 
 tening to the window, I saw just in front of the house a single 
 traveller attacked by two ruffians. 
 
 He was on the point of yielding to the superior strength 
 and skill of his antagonist ; when, seizing my sword, I has- 
 tened to his , and soon turned the scale of victory in 
 
 his favour. 
 
 " Their strength united best may — — - to bear." 
 
 " 'Tis the first sanction nature gave to man. 
 Each other to in what they can." 
 
 To leave — to quit. 
 
 To quit is a species of to leave. In leaving a 
 place, we merely go away from it ; in quitting a 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 83 
 
 place, we go away from it with the intention either 
 of not returning, or, at any rate, not for some 
 time. It is then evident that we cannot quit with- 
 out leaving, though we may leave without quitting. 
 In leaving, the idea of what is left is prominent ; in 
 quitting, the person who acts is uppermost in the 
 mind. A man leaves his house early in the morning 
 for his business ; he does not return at his usual 
 hour ; and upon inquiry, it is found that he has 
 quitted the country. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Such a variety of arguments only distracts the understand- 
 ing ; such a superficial way of examining is to ■ truth 
 for appearances, only to serve our vanity," 
 Dogs have frequently evinced their fidehty, even to the 
 
 remains of their masters, by not ing the spot where 
 
 they are laid. 
 
 " Why we not the fatal Trojan shore, 
 
 And measure back the seas we cross'd before ? " 
 
 I shall my house for a month this autumn, but I 
 
 shall not be obHged to it before next Christmas. 
 
 " Then wilt thou not be loath 
 
 To • this paradise ; but shalt possess 
 
 A paradise within thee, happier far." 
 
 " He who is prudent all questions on minor mattei*s 
 
 in religion and politics to men of busy, restless tempers." 
 
 " The old man, taking my hand in his, looked earnestly in 
 my face, 'I feel I am not long for this world,' said he, 
 
 'but I life without regret, where I have met with 
 
 nothing but vexation and sorrow, and I look forward with 
 confident hope to another and a better world.'" 
 " The sacred wrestler, till a blessing giv'n, 
 
 not his hold, but, halting, conquers heaven." 
 
 G 2 
 
84 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To punish — to chastise. 
 
 Punishment is the generic term. Chastisement 
 is a species of punishment. Chastisement always 
 proceeds from a superior to an inferior in rank or 
 condition ; not so punishment, which is a compen- 
 sating principle, and applies generally. A man may 
 be punished for his misdeeds by his inferiors, or even 
 by himself. Our own reflections are sometimes our 
 severest punishment. The immediate object of 
 chastisement is to improve the person chastised. The 
 proper object of punishment is that the community 
 should benefit. Thus, children are chastised, male- 
 factors are punished. Chastisement is intended to 
 amend the individual ; punishment to repair the 
 mischief done to society by the crime. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 No species of had the least effect upon him; he 
 
 seemed not to be affected by it in the same way as others, and 
 set all authority of his superiors at defiance. 
 
 He confessed, however, that this was a well-merited 
 
 for his former follies ; and resolved from that moment to 
 compensate by his future good conduct for liis past in-egu- 
 larities. 
 
 The master had severely the scholars several times 
 
 before for the same fault, and determined not to let this occa- 
 sion pass without making an example. 
 
 The laws against thieves and burglars were more strictly 
 enforced than ever, and offenders were ' with the utmost 
 
 rigour. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 85 
 
 On several occasions, the father had his son with 
 
 such severity that the neighbours had been obliged to inter- 
 fere. 
 
 To put— to place. 
 
 Put is to place as the genus to the species. To 
 put is the generic^ to place, the specific term. Placing 
 is a mode of putting. We place with intention : 
 what we place, is generally meant to remain for 
 some time in its position. When we put a thing in 
 a particular situation, we place it. A plant may be 
 put into a flower-pot, and then placed in the green- 
 house. All the parts of a clock may be put toge- 
 ther, and the clock then placed in the hall. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " I had a parcel of crowns in my hand to pay for Shakspere ; 
 
 and as she had let go the purse entirely, I a single one 
 
 in, and tying up the riband in a bow-knot, returned it to her." 
 " Nydia smiled joyously, but did not answer ; and Glaucus 
 
 — ing the violets she had selected in his breast, turned 
 
 gaily and carelessly from the crowd." 
 
 " Then youths and virgins, twice as many, join 
 
 To • the dishes, and to serve the wine." 
 
 " In saying this, he presented his snuff-box to me with one 
 hand, as he took mine from me in the other ; and having 
 
 kissed it, with a stream of good-nature in his eyes, he 
 
 it in his bosom, and took his leave." 
 
 " Our two first parents, yet the only two 
 
 Of mankind, in the happy garden ." 
 
 " 'Twas his care ; 
 
 To on good security his gold." 
 
 G 3 
 
86 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYKONTMES* 
 
 "He that has any doubt of his tenets, received without 
 
 examination, ought to himself wholly into this state 
 
 of ignorance, and throwing wholly by all his former notions, 
 examine them with a perfect indifference." 
 
 To reprove — to rebuke, 
 
 A rebuke is a species of reproof. When we 
 rebuke or reprove we express strong disapprobation. 
 A rebuke is given by word of mouth, whilst a 
 reproof may be expressed in a variety of ways. A 
 father who has reason to find fault with his son's 
 conduct may reprove him by letter^ or by means of 
 a third person, as well as verbally. There is more 
 of impulse in a rebuke, more of reason in a reproof. 
 Our anger or indignation prompts us to rebuke. 
 The wish to convince another of his fault induces 
 us to reprove. A rebuke is given on the spur of 
 the moment ; a reproof may be conveyed some time 
 after the fault reproved. For this reason, rebukes 
 are not so effectual or so convincing as reproofs. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Though his father had him several times in the course 
 
 of the day, the son persisted in his idleness ; and when the 
 examination took place, he was found unable to answer a 
 single question correctly. 
 
 Confident of success, he had embarked all his property in a 
 wild speculation, and lost every thing he had in the world. It 
 
 was now too late for , and all his friends could do for 
 
 him was to assist him, as well as their means would allow, to 
 patch up his broken fortunes. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 87 
 
 ** He who endeavours only the happiness of him whom he 
 , will always have the satisfaction of either obtaining 
 
 or deserving kindness." 
 
 The popular story of the plan which Canute the Great 
 
 adopted to his courtiers for their abject flatteiy in 
 
 styling him lord and master of the winds and ocean, is well 
 authenticated, and is mentioned by many respectable his- 
 torians. 
 
 To ridicule — to deride. 
 
 Both these words include the idea of laughter, but 
 the purposes of laughter differ in each. In ridi' 
 culing^ we laugh in order to correct. In deriding, we 
 laugh with a view of exposing. Kidicule is good- 
 humoured ; it is often employed to work an improve- 
 ment. Derision is malicious ; it is the gratification 
 of a malignant feeling. Mistakes which provoke 
 laughter are sometimes ridiculed; the foolish and 
 absurd are frequently derided. We ridicule when 
 we are amused ; we deride when we are piqued or 
 offended. It is wrong to ridicule serious things, 
 but it is much worse to turn them to derision. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The entreaties of the unfortunate prisoners for water to 
 
 quench their burning thirst were neglected or by the 
 
 guards, and consequently scarcely ten survived the horrors of 
 that dreadful night. 
 
 The efforts which he made to regain his equilibrium were 
 so , that the whole company burst into a loud laugh. 
 
 Many persons have a strong tendency to turn every thing 
 4 
 
88 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 into ■ : where this inclination is not checked, it is often 
 
 productive of very serious consequences. 
 
 " Satan beheld their plight, 
 And to his mates thus in ■ called : 
 
 friends, why come not on those victors proud ?" 
 
 To any one for a personal deformity is a certain sign 
 
 of a base mind. 
 
 Though it was growing dark, and they were passing through 
 a dangerous part of the country, the guide appeared perfectly 
 insensible to the probability of their being attacked, and 
 
 the fears of the travellers, marched boldly before them. 
 
 He was stung to the quick by the in which his com- 
 panions held his opinions, and he determined to take the first 
 opportunity of separating himself from them. 
 
 " Those who aim at 
 
 Should fix upon some certain rule, 
 Which fairly hints they are in jest." 
 
 To try — to attempt. 
 
 To try is the generic, to attempt is the specific 
 term. We cannot attempt without trying, though 
 we may try without attempting. When we try, we 
 are uncertain as to the result ; when we attempt, it 
 is always with intention. We may be indifferent as 
 to the result of a trial, but we never attempt without 
 a desire to succeed.* 
 
 *An endeavour is a continued or a repeated attempt. 
 Though a single attempt be fruitless, yet we may at last suc- 
 ceed in our endeavours. An endeavour impHes a partial 
 failure in the attempt. 
 
GENERia AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 89 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " If we be always prepared to receive an enemy, we shall 
 long live in peace and quietness, without an upon us.'' 
 
 "At length, as if tired of to escape, the lion crept 
 
 with a moan into its cage, and once more laid itself down to 
 rest." 
 
 " There is a mixed kind of evidence, relating both to the 
 senses and understanding, depending upon our own observa- 
 tion and repeated of the issues and events of actions 
 
 or things, called experience." 
 
 " I to seize him, but he ghded from my grasp." 
 
 *' Though Boccaccio and Petrarca followed Dante; they did 
 not employ themselves in cultivating the ground which he had 
 
 broken up, but chose each for himself an un field, and 
 
 reaped a harvest not less abundant." 
 
 " A natural and unconstrained behaviour has something in 
 
 it so agreeable, that it is no wonder to see people ing 
 
 after it. But, at the same time, it is so very hard to hit when 
 it is not born with us, that people often make themselves 
 ridiculous in —ing it." 
 
 " Whether or not (said Socrates on the day of his execution, 
 God will approve of my actions, I know not ; but this I am 
 
 sure of, that I have at all times made it my to please 
 
 Him." 
 
 To worship — to adore. 
 
 Worship is the generic term. Adoration is a 
 species of worship. There appears in adoration a 
 strong sense of our own inferiority ; for it is always 
 accompanied by an attitude expressive of humility. 
 In worshipping, the prevailing feeling is the 
 superiority of the object worshipped. In worship- 
 
90 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3HES. 
 
 ping, we pay homage to the power, wisdom, and 
 goodness of the Creator ; in adoring, we express 
 our own weakness and dependence on Him. There 
 is no attitude peculia,r to worship ; it is included in 
 the usual forms of prayer and thanksgiving. In 
 adoring, we prostrate ourselves. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Let Indians, and the gay, like Indians, fond 
 
 Of feathered fopperies, the sun ; 
 
 Darkness has more divinity for me." 
 
 "He loved to keep alive the of Egypt, hecause 
 
 he thus maintained the shadow and the recollection of her 
 power." 
 
 " Menander says that God, the Lord and Father of all thmgs, 
 
 is alone worthy of our ^ , being at once the maker and 
 
 giver of all blessings." 
 
 « The of God is an eminent part of religion, and 
 
 prayer is a chief part of religious ; hence rehgion is 
 
 described by seeking God." 
 
 " Adorned 
 With gay rehgions, ftdl of pomp and gold, 
 
 And devils to for deities." 
 
 " By reason man a Godhead can discern, 
 
 But how he should be cannot learn." 
 
 " In the earUest times there appear to have been very few 
 
 temples at Rome, and in many spots, the of a certain 
 
 divinity had been established from time unmemorial, while we 
 hear of the building of a temple for the same divinity at a 
 comparatively late period." 
 
 " It is possible to suppose, that those who beheve in a 
 
 supreme, excellent Being, may yet give hun no external 
 
 at all." 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONTMES. 91 
 
 Ancient — Antique. 
 
 Ancient is generic- — antique, specific. Aiicient 
 qualifies the manners, institutions, customs, &c. of 
 the nations of antiquity. Antique refers to the 
 style of their works of art. Ancient architecture 
 signifies the abstract science as it existed among the 
 ancients. Antique architecture refers to the style 
 of building among the ancients. We speak of an 
 antique coin, an antique cup^ or gem ; and of 
 ancient laws and customs. An ancient temple is 
 one built by the ancients; an antique temple is one 
 built in the style of the ancients. Ancient is not 
 modern ; antique is not new-fashioned. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The room had a very appearance ; the furniture was 
 
 old and worn, the walls hung with tapestry, and the ceiling 
 adorned with relievo. 
 
 " The seals which we have remaining of Julius Caesar, 
 
 which we know to be , have the star of Venus over 
 
 them." 
 
 The remains of an temple have been lately found in 
 
 the neighbourhood of the modem town, and in the vicinity, 
 many remains of Roman handicraft have been discovered. 
 
 The poems of Homer throw great light upon the domestic 
 manners and customs of the Greeks. 
 
 " With this view, Lorenzo appropriated his gardens, adja- 
 cent to the monastery of St. Marco, to the establishment of a 
 school or academy for the study of the ." 
 
 " I leave to Edward, Earl of Oxford, my seal of Julius 
 Caesar ; as also another seal, supposed to be a young Hercules, 
 both very choice s, and set in gold." 
 
92 EXERCISES OX ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Several tribes, as tradition asserts, were natives of 
 
 the Hellenic soil : two, viz. the Pelasgi and the Hellenes, are 
 especially mentioned by Herodotus. 
 
 " But seven wise men the ^ — world did know ; 
 
 We scarce know seven who think themselves not so." 
 
 Clear — Distinct 
 
 Objects are clear when there is sufficient light to 
 enable us to perceive their general form ; they are 
 distinct, when we can discern their parts, or separate 
 them from surrounding objects. Suppose, during the 
 twilight of a summer evening, an orange is lying in 
 a dish with some other fruit ; there may be light 
 enough for me to see it clearly, that is, to perceive 
 its general form and colour ; but when, lights being 
 introduced, I am enabled to form a j ust idea of its 
 exact shape and colour, and can distinguish it from 
 the other fruit — I see it distinctly. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There are many objects we may see, even in hazy weather 
 -ly, without being able to see them ly. A tele- 
 
 scope will often make what is - 
 
 The night was so bright, and our glasses so good, that we 
 were able to perceive Saturn's ring most ly. 
 
 In this country, the English language should form a ■■ — 
 
 branch of education, and should be regularly and systemati- 
 cally studied. 
 
 One thing is quite , that without some knowledge as 
 
 to the management of the propelling power, the whole machine 
 must have proved useless. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 93 
 
 The vessel now spread all her sails, and was ly seen 
 
 approaching the harbour. 
 
 In about half an hour, the spectators, with which the whole 
 
 shore was lined, ly saw seven men on the raft, one of 
 
 whom was waving a handkerchief tied to a pole, as a signal of 
 distress. 
 
 " Whether we are able to comprehend all the operations of 
 nature, it matters not to inquire ; but this is certain, that we 
 can comprehend no more of them than we can ly con- 
 ceive." 
 
 I now understand ly what you mean. 
 
 Entire — Complete, 
 The word entire respects the whole substance of 
 an object considered collectively ; it qualifies that 
 which has all its parts : the word complete has 
 reference to the appendages of an object, considered 
 apart from the object itself; it qualifies that which 
 wants nothing that properly belongs to it. An 
 entire week consists of the seven days of which it 
 is composed, taken together. On Friday, the week 
 wants another day to make it complete. An entire 
 work consists of a certain number of volumes. A 
 complete work contains every thing that can be 
 said on the subject of that which it treats. Books of 
 travels which are published without maps cannot 
 be called complete. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The embassy did not occupy an house, but were 
 
 accommodated with temporary lodgings in the viceroy's 
 palace. 
 
94 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Having received this reinforcement, the army was now 
 -, and it was determined to march immediately against 
 
 the enemy. 
 
 He was so careless of his property, that, every time he 
 went to sea, it was necessary to purchase for him a new and 
 set of mathematical instruments. 
 
 The session has been occupied in frivolous discus- 
 sions on questions of secondary importance. 
 
 Many of the houses in that country are built of 
 
 wood. 
 
 When another row of houses is built on the north side, the 
 square will be . 
 
 My apprehensions were ly removed by this intelli- 
 gence. 
 
 " And oft, when unobserved, 
 Steal from the barn a straw, till soft and warm. 
 Clean and , their habitation grows." 
 
 Exterior — External, 
 That which is outside, but yet forms part of a 
 substance, is its exterior. What is contiguous to 
 the exterior is external. The skin of a nut is its 
 exterior, and the shell its external covering. The 
 exterior of a house is what we see of the house 
 itself from without ; such as the brick walls, orna- 
 ments, colour, &c. The external parts of a house 
 refer to the garden, stables, offices, &c. by which 
 it is surrounded. Morally speaking, a man's exte- 
 rior is the visible expression of his mind within, 
 and has reference to his countenance and manners. 
 One who is particular in the arrangement of his 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC STNONTMES. 95 
 
 dress, house, furniture, pictures, &c., pays much 
 attention to externals. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The way in which men proceeded in the formation of 
 abstract language was, to take words used originally to desig- 
 nate the states and actions of nature, and employ 
 
 them to express the various faculties and conditions of the 
 mind. 
 
 "We should never judge any thing by its , but in 
 
 order to ascertain its just value, we should defer our opinion 
 till we become acquainted with its real merits. 
 
 Though he is a man of rough , you will find, on a 
 
 closer acquaintence with him, that he has an excellent dispo- 
 sition, and much merit. 
 
 A considerable part of the popular religion in all countries 
 is found to have consisted of ceremonies. 
 
 The forms of social life are necessary to keep alive 
 
 feelings of kindness and benevolence among members of the 
 same community. 
 
 " Shells, being exposed loose upon the surface of the earth 
 to the injuries of weather, to be trodden upon by horses and 
 
 other cattle, and to many other accidents, are in course 
 
 of time broken to pieces." 
 
 * Extravagant — Profuse, 
 Etymologically, extravagant is wandering out of 
 the right way ; and profuse is pouring forth our 
 substance. We are extravagant when we spend 
 more than we can afford. We are profuse when we 
 give away in excess. Profusion is a mode of extra- 
 vagance. We are extravagant in the cost of what 
 we spend for ourselves ; profuse in the quantity we 
 
 k 
 
96 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 spend upon others. A man displays extravagance 
 in Lis dress, plate, books, pictures, &c., and he 
 displays profusion in his dinners, entertainments, 
 presents, &c. to his friends. One who is extrava- 
 gant in his language uses inapplicable, forced expres- 
 sions. One who is profuse in his thanks says more 
 and repeats oftener than is necessary. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He had acquired so many expensive habits, and was so 
 in his expenditure, that he soon found his fortune 
 
 wholly inadequate to supply all the wants his artificial mode 
 of Uving had created. 
 
 Every sensible man will be inclined to doubt the judgment 
 
 of him who is in his praises of what he is but little 
 
 acquainted with. 
 
 By liberality and irequent entertainments to the 
 
 people, the cunning demagogue contrived to raise himself to 
 an unprecedented height of popularity. 
 
 The apartment was decorated with the most exquisite taste 
 
 and the greatest magnificence ; on all sides, a of fruit 
 
 and flowers met the eye, and the senses were simultaneously 
 ravished with the sweetest perfumes and the softest music. 
 
 " New ideas employed my fancy all night, and composed a 
 wild, dream." 
 
 "Cicero was most Uberally in commending the 
 
 ancients and his contemporaries." 
 
 Frail — Brittle, 
 Substances which are apt to break are frail ; 
 those which are apt, in breaking, to split into 
 many irregular particles, are brittle. The form or 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 97 
 
 shape of an object may make it frail, though the 
 material of which it is constructed be not brittle. 
 Brittle is a quality essential to the nature of certain 
 materials ; frail is applied to those which are put 
 together, or formed in such a way as to be easily 
 broken. A reed, or a hastily-constructed house, is 
 frail ; glass, coal, shells, &c., are brittle substances. 
 What is frail snaps ; what is brittle breaks into 
 many parts by collision. Frail is used in a 
 secondary sense, as applied to the moral weakness 
 of human beings. Brittle is scarcely ever so used. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Though drenched with rain, and exhausted with excessive 
 fatigue, we were obliged to set to work immediately, and 
 construct something to serve as a temporary shelter from the 
 
 inclemency of the weather. A hovel, made of deal 
 
 boards, hastily nailed together and covered with matting and 
 remnants of old sails, was our only dwelling for some months 
 after our arrival. 
 
 Nelson, though possessed of perhaps as much personal 
 
 bravery as any man that ever existed, was of a and 
 
 weakly constitution ; and it is well known that he never wxnt 
 to sea without suffering severely from sickness. 
 
 The shell-basket, though it had been packed with the great- 
 est care, was so that it was found broken into a thou- 
 sand pieces when we arrived at the end of our journey. 
 
 Glass of every kind would be much more than it is, 
 
 if it were not subjected, immediately after it is fashioned, to 
 the process of annealing. 
 
 " When with care we have raised an imaginary treasure of 
 happiness, we find at last, that the materials of the stnicture 
 H 
 
98 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 are and perishing, and the foundation itself is laid in 
 
 the sand. "J 
 
 " These," said Harley, " are quotations from those humble 
 
 poets who trust their fame to the tenures of windows 
 
 and drinking-glasses." 
 
 Great — Big. 
 Bulk that is capable of expansion is big when 
 expanded. Great is applied to every species of 
 dimension ; so that big is a species of great. There 
 is the idea of rotundity in big, which does not of 
 necessity belong to great. An animal, a bottle, a 
 balloon, may be called big. The frog that swelled 
 herself out, asked her young if she was bigger than 
 the ox. A great house, is one that has much length, 
 breadth, and height. In a secondary meaning, 
 power, knowledge, strength, &c., are represented as 
 great. Big is not often used in a moral sense. We 
 have, however, a year " big with events," and ^' big 
 with the fate of Cato." 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 This bag will not be enough to hold all we wish to 
 
 put into it. 
 
 The er the difficulty, the more should we endeayour 
 
 to overcome it. 
 
 This hat is not enough for him — it hmts his head. 
 
 The bottle which he brought with him was enough 
 
 to hold water for the whole party. 
 
 How is the pleasure of doing good, is known only 
 
 to the benevolent and charitable ! 
 
 Hamilcar is said to have founded a city, which he 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 99 
 
 destined to be the capital of the Carthaginian Empire in 
 Spain, at a place called the White Promontory ; but this was 
 probably superseded by New Carthage, and its situation is 
 now unknown. n 
 
 " At one's first entrance into the Pantheon at Eome, 
 
 how the imagination is filled with something and 
 
 amazing!" 
 
 " An animal no er than a mite cannot appear perfect 
 
 to the eye, because the sight takes it in at once." 
 
 His younger brother, whom I had not seen for three years, 
 
 was now grown a boy, and was old enough to go to 
 
 school. 
 
 Heavenly — Celestial. 
 
 The Latin word ccelum (heaven) leads us to the 
 idea of its natural appearance of hollo wness or con- 
 cavity. Heaven^ from the Anglo-Saxon heafan (to 
 heave, or raise up), points to height, moral or phy- 
 sical, as a leading idea. Celestial and heavenly are 
 adjectives derived, respectively, from these two 
 nouns. Hence, heavenly refers rather to what is 
 sublime and exalted, whilst celestial is applied to 
 the natural phenomenon of the heavens. Thus we 
 speak of the celestial globe, celestial bodies, &c., 
 and of heavenly music, heavenly joys, &c. The 
 expressions, celestial music, celestial joys, &c., are 
 also used, but not exactly in the same sense. Hea- 
 venly music raises us above our mortal condition. 
 Celestial music is the music supposed to be heard in 
 heaven, considered as the abode of the just. In the 
 H 2 
 
100 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES* 
 
 former, we have the idea of something sublime and 
 superhuman; in the latter, we have the idea of 
 place. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Abstracted from all the cares and anxieties of this world, 
 
 he fixed his mind intently on the • joys of a future 
 
 state, waiting with patient, though longing anxiety for the 
 moment which should dissolve him for ever from all earthly 
 ties. 
 
 The artificial contrivance called a globe is a hollow 
 
 sphere, on the surface of which are represented the stars and 
 constellations, each in its proper situation. 
 
 The countenance of St. Cecilia is painted glowing with en- 
 thusiasm, and rapt in a " fine frenzy," and her features 
 
 are directed upwards, while she seems to catch the divine in- 
 spiration which fiUs her soul, 
 
 "As the love of heaven makes one , the love of 
 
 virtue, vu*tuous, so does the love of the world make one 
 become worldly." 
 
 " There stay, until the twelve signs 
 
 Have brought about their annual reckoning." 
 
 High— Tall 
 
 High is the generic, tall the specific terra. What 
 is tall is high, but what is high is not of necessity 
 tall. That which attains considerable height bj 
 growing is tall. So we speak of the height of a tall 
 man. The reverse of high is low, the reverse of 
 tall is stunted. We may say, a high house, a high 
 church, &c. ; and a tall girl, a tall horse, a tall tree, 
 &c. Metaphorically, tall is sometimes used for 
 high, as in the phrase, " a tall spire." 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 101 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Eeason elevates our thoughts as as the stars, and 
 
 leads us through the vast spaces of this mighty fabric ; yet it 
 comes far short of the real extent of even corporeal being." 
 
 " Two of far nobler shape, erect and , 
 
 Godlike erect, with native honour clad, 
 
 In naked majesty, seemed lords of all." 
 
 " Prostrate on earth their beauteous body lay. 
 
 Like mountain firs, as and straight as they." 
 
 .« The er parts of the earth, being continually spend- 
 
 ing, and the lower continually gaining, they must, of necessity, 
 at length come to an equality." 
 
 " They that stand , have many blasts to shake them, 
 
 And, if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces." 
 
 " o'er their heads a mouldering rock is placed, 
 
 That promises a fall, and shakes at every blast." 
 " When you are tried in scandal's court. 
 
 Stand in honour, wealth, or wit, 
 
 All others who inferior sit. 
 Conceive themselves in conscience bound 
 To join and drag you to the ground." 
 " They lop and lop, on this and that hand, cutting away 
 the — — , sound, and substantial timber, that used to shelter 
 them from the winds." 
 
 Laudable — Praiseworthy, 
 
 Laudable is the generic ; praiseworthy the specific 
 term. Things that are generally entitled to praise 
 are laudable ; when circumstances make an action 
 deserve praise, it is praiseworthy. What is laud- 
 able is so under all circumstances ; what is praise- 
 worthy is so only under certain circumstances. The 
 
102 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 merit of what is laudable lies in the abstract nature 
 of the thing. The merit of what is praiseworthy 
 depends upon the circumstances of the case. In 
 praiseworthy, there is an implied reference to the 
 agent. More generally motives are qualified as 
 laudable, and actions as praiseworthy. Ambition, 
 confidence, &c., may be laudable. To encourage 
 trade, and discourage immorality, are praiseworthy 
 in a king. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Nothing is more than an inquiry after truth." 
 
 " Kidicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of 
 
 virtue and good sense, by attacking every thing in 
 
 human Ufe." 
 
 " He had in general a confidence in his own judg- 
 ment, and never took advice." 
 
 " Firmus, who seized upon Egypt, was so far , that 
 
 he encouraged trade." 
 
 "Affectation endeavoui's to correct natural defects, and 
 
 has always the aim of pleasing, though it always 
 
 misses it." 
 
 " But who shall say that the feelings which produced such 
 emotions even in such men were not — -. — and good ? " 
 
 Lucky — Fortunate, 
 
 Lucky is a generic ; fortunate a specific term. 
 Though both these words are employed to qualify 
 those persons to whom things turn out as they wish, 
 there is this distinction between them. Those are 
 properly called fortunate who are continually sue- 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 103 
 
 cessful in their undertakings. Lucky refers to that 
 which is pure hazard and wholly unexpected. A 
 fortunate man obtains what he wishes and hopes to 
 gain. A lucky man gets what he may desire, but 
 does not expect to gain. The fortunate merchant 
 grows rich by successful speculations ; the lucky 
 man becomes rich by a prize in the lottery, or by an 
 unexpected legacy. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 After many fruitless attempts, I was at last so as to 
 
 find him at home ; and having obtained an interview, I ex- 
 plained my views to him, and solicited his interest in my 
 favour. 
 
 On his arrival in town, he advertised in the pubhc papers, 
 
 and, by the chance, the advertisement struck the eye 
 
 of a gentleman who was in need of some one to superintend 
 his affairs ; this led to an interview, and he was so ' as 
 
 to obtain the situation. 
 
 I met him by the merest chance, an event which has led to 
 
 all my good throughout life, and which I cannot but 
 
 consider as the— —accident that ever befel me. 
 
 He has been most ' in all his transactions ; every 
 
 thing has prospered with him through life, and in all cases of 
 doubtful success, enterprises seemed to want but his sanction 
 to turn the scale in their favour. 
 
 It was a circumstance for the Duke that the King 
 
 died at this conjuncture ; for, in consequence of his death, he 
 was liberated from prison, and restored to all his dignities and 
 honors. 
 
 " The moment the sly traitor chose. 
 
 Then starting from his ambush, up he rose." 
 
 « old man, whose farm remains 
 
 For you sufficient, and requites your pains." 
 H 4 
 
104 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 Mute — Dumb, 
 
 A dumh man has not the power to speak. A 
 mute man either does not choose, or is not allowed 
 to speak. Whatever takes away the faculty of 
 speech, even for a time, causes a man to be dumb. 
 Men are dumb from some organic defect ; circum- 
 stances may make us mute. Deafness from birth 
 will make a man dumb. Beasts, birds, and fishes 
 are dumb. Mutes are men who stand on each side 
 of the entrance of a deceased person's house, on the 
 day of his funeral, and who are ordered to preserve 
 Strict silence. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "We went in an open carriage, drawn by two sleek old 
 black horses for which W. Scott seemed to have an affection, 
 as he had for every ■ animal that belonged to him." 
 
 "'Tis listening fear and amazement all." 
 
 "Long he stood, and leaning on his staff, 
 
 His wonder witnessed with an idiot laugh." 
 " Some positive terms signify a negative idea : blind implies 
 
 a privation of sight, , a denial of speech." 
 
 " AUsat 
 
 Pondering the danger with deep thoughts." 
 " The whole perplexed ignoble crowd 
 
 to my questions, in my praises loud. 
 
 Echoed the word." 
 " The truth of it is, half the great talkers in the nation would 
 
 be struck were this fountain of discourse (party lies) 
 
 dried up." 
 In a few minutes, however, several appeared, at the 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 105 
 
 sight of whom, Mustapha, knowing what was his doom, cried 
 with a loud voice, " Lo, my death ! " and attempted to fly. 
 
 "Sometimes we stand in silence, and with a full heart, 
 gazing upon those hard, cold eyes which never again can melt 
 
 in tenderness upon us. And our silence is , — its 
 
 eloquence is gone." 
 
 New — Novel: 
 
 What we get in exchange for the old, is new. 
 What has never occurred before, is novel. New is 
 opposed to old; novel, to known. New supposes 
 something previous ; novel is strange and unex- 
 pected. The new year is opposed to the old year. 
 A new edition is one just published. A novel style 
 is one which no one has yet attempted. A novel 
 principle is one hitherto unknown. Novelty — not 
 newness— is the great charm in travelling. A new 
 book may exhibit a subject in a novel manner. 
 Novel is a species of new ; it is the new and the 
 unknown combined. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 This doctor adopts altogether a mode of treatment 
 
 with his patients. 
 
 It is customary in many foreign countries, on the first day 
 
 of the year, for every one to pay visits of ceremony, 
 
 and make presents to his friends and acquaintance. 
 
 Every thing I find here is so and strange, that 
 
 scarcely an hour passes without something to engage my 
 attention, and this produces so pleasing an excitement, that 
 I am now strongly prejudiced in favour of the place. 
 
 This was a and unheard-of innovation, and so 
 
 opposed to the feelings of the members, that they unanimously 
 
106 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 declared they would withdraw their support from the society, 
 if the council should persist in bringing it into practice. 
 As a reward for his diligence and good conduct at school, 
 
 his uncle had made him a present of a kite, which 
 
 he is now engaged in flying in the fields at the back of the 
 house. 
 
 " We are naturally delighted with ." 
 
 "When the of success was cooled, he began to feel 
 
 that the olive crown had its thorns." * 
 
 " 'Tis on some evening, sunny, grateful, mild. 
 When nought but balm is beaming through the woods, 
 
 With yellow lustre bright, that the tribes 
 
 Visit the spacious heavens." 
 
 Particular — Peculiar, 
 
 Particular qualifies that which belongs to one 
 sort or kind only, exclusively of others. Pecu- 
 liar qualifies that which belongs to the indivi- 
 dual. Pineapples have a particular flavour, ^. e. a 
 flavour not belonging to other kinds of fruit. One 
 individual pineapple may have a peculiar flavour, 
 i. e. a flavour to be found in no other pineapple. 
 Particulars are minor circumstances which charac- 
 terize events ; peculiarities are qualities that distin- 
 guish things or persons exclusively. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is so long since this adventure happened to me, that I 
 can do no more than give you a general account of the trans- 
 action, for I cannot now recollect every circumstance 
 
 connected with the affair. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONTMES. 107 
 
 I was present during the whole course of lectures ; but 
 though I paid the strictest attention to the system and expla- 
 nations of the lecturer, I could not discover any 
 
 novelty either in his system or arrangement. 
 
 Eccentric men have habits; they do not seem to 
 
 move in the same sphere with other mortals, but are actuated 
 by different influences from those which affect the bulk of 
 mankind. 
 
 I was once acquainted with a gentleman who had the 
 
 habit of repeating several times, in a gradually lower tone, the 
 last syllable of every sentence he uttered. 
 
 His general conduct was that of an imtable man ; and 
 
 though I do not remember any occasion on which he 
 
 displayed his violent temper, I know that it was a subject of 
 continual complaint among his friends. 
 
 Is there any thing new ? No, nothing in . 
 
 " Great father Bacchus, to my song repair. 
 For clustering grapes are thy care." 
 
 " When we trust to the picture that objects draw of them- 
 selves on the mind, we deceive ourselves without accurate 
 and observation ; it is but ill drawn at first ; the out- 
 lines are soon blurred, the colours every day grow fainter." 
 
 Prevalent — Prevailing. 
 
 What generally prevails is prevalent. What 
 actually prevails is prevailing. There are many 
 pairs of adjectives of this sort in English, the former 
 preserving the Latin, and the latter the Saxon par- 
 ticipial ending — such as, Consistent, consisting ; dif- 
 ferent, differing ; repentant, repenting, &c. &c. The 
 former of which will be found to qualify as to 
 generals, and the latter as to particulars. Thus, in 
 
108 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 the above pair of words — Consumption is a prevalent 
 disorder in England : after a bad harvest, distress is 
 a prevailing cause of discontent. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "This was the most received and opinion when I 
 
 first brought my collection up to London." 
 
 "Probabilities, which cross men's appetites and 
 
 passions, run the same fate ; let never so much probability- 
 hang on one side of a covetous man's reasoning, and money 
 on the other, it is easy to foresee which will outweigh." 
 
 "The evils naturally consequent upon a temptation 
 
 are intolerable." 
 
 "But the great characteristic of the present intel- 
 lectual spirit is one most encouraging to human hopes ; it is 
 benevolence." 
 
 " As I consider that the architecture of a nation is one of 
 
 the most visible types of its character, so in that 
 
 department all with us is comfortable, and nothing vast." 
 
 It must be admitted, to the honor of our nation, that the 
 
 vice of drunkenness is far less in England now, than it 
 
 was some years past. 
 
 Commerce and war transplant so many Franks into the 
 East, that at Smyrna and Alexandria it has occasionally been 
 asked whether hats or turbans were the fasliion. 
 
 Strong — Robust 
 
 Strong is here the generic term ; robust the speci- 
 fic. A strong man is able to bear a heavy burden. 
 A robust man bears continual labour or fatigue with 
 ease. There is in robust the idea of rouofhness or 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 109 
 
 rudeness, which strong does not contain. A strong 
 man may be active, nimble, and graceful. An 
 excess of muscular development, together with a 
 clumsiness of action, excludes these qualities from 
 the robust man. Ploughmen and labourers are 
 robust : soldiers and sailors are generally strong 
 men. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Having lived all his life in the country, and being habitually 
 
 engaged in active occupations, he was in possession of 
 
 health, and its constant attendant, excellent spirits. 
 
 Though naturally of a constitution, his frame was 
 
 so shattered by the excessive fatigue and hardships he had 
 undergone, that he fell into a bad state of health, from which 
 he never afterwards recovered. 
 
 This news threw him into such a state of excitement, that 
 it brought on a fit; and three ■ men could scarcely 
 
 hold him do^vn, or prevent him doing some injury to the by- 
 standers. 
 
 Sallust describes Catiline as a man of extraordinary powers, 
 both of mind and body ; able to bear heat and cold, fatigue 
 and watching to an incredible degree, and displaying every 
 sign of a frame. 
 
 We should never forget that though it is excellent to be 
 , it is shameful to abuse our strength. 
 
 Those who are physically are sometimes weak in 
 
 mind. 
 
 " The huntsman, ever gay, and bold, 
 
 Defies the noxious vapour." 
 
 " The weak, by thinking themselves , are induced to 
 
 proclaim war against that which ruins them ; and the 
 
 by affecting to be weak, are thereby rendered as useless as if 
 they really were so." 
 
110 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYI^IES. 
 
 Translucent — Transparent 
 
 Whatever admits the light through it in such a 
 way, as to enable us to clearly distinguish objects 
 placed on the other side of it, is transparent. 
 What merely admits the light, but does not enable 
 us to distinguish objects through it, is translucent. 
 Glass, water, ice, &c., are transparent substances. 
 Ground glass, silver paper, horn, &c., are translucent 
 substances. What is transparent is also translucent ; 
 but what is translucent is not always transparent. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " A poet of another nation would not have dwelt so long 
 
 upon the clearness and cy of the stream ; but in Italy, 
 
 one seldom sees a river that is extremely bright and limpid, 
 most of them being muddy." 
 
 " The quarry has several other stones, which want 
 
 neither beauty nor esteem." 
 
 " forms, too fine for mortal sight. 
 
 Their fluid bodies half dissolved in light." 
 " Nor shines the silver moon one-half so bright. 
 
 Through the bosom of the deep, 
 
 As doth thy face through tears of mine give light. 
 Thou shin'st in every tear that I do weep." 
 " Lumps of rock crystal heated redhot, then quenched in 
 fair water, exchanged their cy for whiteness, the igni- 
 tion and extinction having cracked each lump into a multitude 
 of minute bodies. 
 
 " Each thought was visible that rolled within, 
 As through a crystal case the figured hours are seen. 
 
 And Heaven did this • veil provide. 
 
 Because she had no guilty thought to hide." 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. Ill 
 
 Weak — Infirm, 
 
 Weak is a generic term, and is opposed to strong ; 
 infirm is a species of weak. Weakness may pro- 
 ceed from various causes, and may exist at any 
 period of life. Infirmity is the weakness of old 
 age. Those who are infirm are weak ; but those 
 who are weak are not always infirm. We never 
 hear of infirm children. The term weak is applied 
 to animate and inanimate things. Infirm, only to 
 human beings. A sick man is too weak to walk ; 
 an old man is too infirm to stand. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The younger brother had suffered a long and painful illness, 
 and was so from exhaustion and depletion, that it- 
 was doubtful for some time, whether he would ever recover 
 his strength. 
 
 " There can be little doubt that vice and luxury operate 
 quite as strongly as any hereditary influence or physical 
 
 debility, in making the mental faculties • and inefii- 
 
 cient." 
 
 Though of great age, he is one of the most active men I 
 
 know ; for, at a time of life when most men are and 
 
 ailing, he performs all the ordinary duties of Hfe with the 
 energy and vigour of youth. 
 
 Every man must naturally look forward to a time when 
 
 he will become old and , and should lay up in his 
 
 youth a provision for that period of his life in which he will 
 no longer be able to work. 
 
 The workmen had scarcely left the building, when the roof 
 fell in with a loud crash ; and on examining the ruins, it was 
 
112 EXERCISES OJf ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 discovered that the walls, being too to support the 
 
 weight of the roof, had consequently given way. 
 
 " At my age, and under my , I can have no relief 
 
 but that which rehgion furnishes me." 
 
 Weighty — Heavy, 
 
 Every thing has iveigkt, since this is the na- 
 tural tendency which all bodies have to the centre of 
 the earth. Those bodies which have much weight, 
 either in proportion to their bulk, or the strength 
 applied to them, are heavy. Heavy qualifies what 
 cannot be easily lifted. A bag of gold is heavier 
 than a bag of feathers of the same size, because gold 
 has more weight than feathers. The nature of the 
 substance causes its weight. The quantity of the 
 substance causes its heaviness. A pound of feathers 
 and a pound of gold have equal weight ; but fea- 
 thers and gold have not equal heaviness. In a moral 
 sense, the same difference is perceptible. A weighty 
 affair is one which is intrinsically important ; a 
 heavy charge is one difficult to be got rid of. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 'The finest works of invention are of very little - 
 
 when put in the balance with what refines and exalts the 
 rational mind." 
 
 " Eeverend patriarch," answered the emperor, " do not 
 
 deem that we think lightly of your scruples, but the 
 
 question is now, not in what manner we may convert these 
 Latin heretics to the true faith, but how we may avoid being 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. 113 
 
 overrun by their myriads, which resemble those of the locusts 
 by which their approach was preceded and intimated." 
 
 " Mersennus tells us, that a little child, with an engine of a 
 hundred double pulleys, might move this earth, though it were 
 much er than it is." 
 
 " The subject is concerning the ness of several bodies, 
 
 or the proportion that is required betwixt any — and the 
 
 power which may move it." 
 
 " Thus spoke to my lady the knight full of care, 
 *Let me have your advice in a affair/" 
 
 Who le — Entire, 
 
 The parts of any object may be divided, but if 
 they are not separated, that object may be called 
 whole. Thus, if an orange be cut into several pieces, 
 all the parts, taken together, will make np the lohole 
 orange. But if the orange be not cut, then it is 
 entire. That is entire which has not been divided. 
 That is whole which has suffered no diminution. 
 (See To separate and To divide, p. 73.) 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " An action is which is complete in all its parts ; or, 
 
 as Aristotle describes it, when it has a beginning, a middle, 
 and an end." 
 
 " Looking down, he saw 
 
 The '■ — world filled with violence, and aU flesh 
 
 Corrupting each their way." 
 
 " And all so forming an harmonious ." 
 
 "Thus his conduct was made up of artifice and 
 
 deceit." 
 
 " The conquest of the passions is so difficult a work, 
 
 I 
 
114 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NT3IES. 
 
 that they who despak of it should think of a less difficult task, 
 and only attempt to regulate them." 
 
 " And feeling that no human being is ly good, or 
 
 ly base, we learn that true knowledge of mankind which 
 
 induces us to expect little and forgive much." 
 
 " A ruined chapel, flanked by a solemn grove, still reared 
 
 its front ." 
 
 " There was a time, when JEtna's silent fire 
 
 Slept unperceived, the mountain yet ; 
 
 When conscious of no danger from below. 
 She tower'd a cloud-capped pyramid of snow. 
 His boots are the only thing splendid in his cos- 
 tume. 
 
 " How my adventures will conclude, I leave ly to 
 
 Providence ; if comically, you shall hear of them." 
 
 On — Upon, 
 
 In speaking of objects of sense, we say that one 
 thing is on another, when the former is in contact 
 with the upper surface of the latter. The preposition 
 upon is often used synonymously with on; though it 
 would be more correct to employ it only when the 
 lower substance of the two is raised considerably 
 from the floor or earth. According to this dis- 
 tinction, we speak of an object lying on the floor, 
 but we place something upon a shelf. So also, a 
 pigeon perched upon a house may fly down and 
 light on the ground. A boy hangs his hat upon 
 a peg, and throws his ball on the floor. 
 
 In a secondary sense, upon shews a closer con- 
 nection than on. " Upon the receipt of this letter. 
 
GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMES. llo 
 
 he gave orders, &c. (immediatelj)." " On the 
 death of the king, &c. {i, e. in consequence of) 
 the prince succeeded to all his dominions and 
 titles." 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The door of the cage being left open, the bird flew out, 
 
 and after making several turns in the air, perched 
 
 the top of a high tree, where it remained seated all the after- 
 noon. 
 
 Nothing was seen all sides but the most abject misery 
 
 and destitution. 
 
 Immediately the receipt of this news, orders were 
 
 given to prepare every thing for an invasion. 
 
 He was so weak, that he could proceed no further; and 
 
 being suddenly seized with a dizziness, fell the ground 
 
 before any one could hasten to his relief. 
 
 The boy placed his toys the top of a high wall, 
 
 where none of his companions could reach them. 
 
 " As I did stand my watch the hill 
 
 I looked towards Bimam, and anon methought 
 The wood began to move." 
 " me, me, let all thy fury fall." 
 
116 EXERCISES OX ENGLISH SYXONYMES. 
 
 SECTION 11. 
 
 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 
 
 The synonymes ranged under this division are 
 distinguished from each other by the active and 
 passive qualities which they respectively contain. 
 It must be understood that the terms active and 
 passive are not here taken in a grammatical sense. 
 There are many verbs, nouns, and adjectives, which, 
 wholly independently of their grammatical nature, 
 contain in the very ideas they represent either an 
 active or a passive quality. The difference between 
 the two adjectives contented and satisfied may be 
 referred to this principle. The former qualifies one 
 who has restrained his mind or desires within a 
 certain limit. Here, there is evidently an action 
 from within. On the other hand, the word satisfied 
 refers to some one who is in a recipient or passive 
 state. The contented man has acted upon his own 
 mind. The satisfied man has been acted upon by 
 others. In some cases, we even find the active and 
 passive principle existing, under different circum- 
 stances, in the same word. Of this, the word 
 fearful will furnish a curious example. When it 
 signifies " inspiring fear," it is used in its active — 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 117 
 
 when it means " filled with fear," it is used in its 
 passive sense. A fearful man may mean, either one 
 who makes others afraid, or one who is himself 
 afraid. The difi*erence in many hundred pairs of 
 words may be determined by the application of this 
 principle ; the same idea being found in both words ; 
 but the one possessing it in an active, and the other 
 in a passive or recipient state. 
 
 Ability — Capacity, 
 
 Capacity is the power of receiving and retaining 
 knowledge with facility ; ability is the power of 
 applying knowledge to practical purposes. Both 
 these faculties are requisite to form a great charac- 
 ter ; capacity to conceive, and ability to execute 
 designs. Capacity is shewn in quickness of appre- 
 hension. Ability supposes something done ; some- 
 thing by which the mental power is exercised in 
 executing or performing what has been perceived 
 by the capacity. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Those who are once convinced that they have , 
 
 should instantly act upon that conviction, and do something 
 worthy of themselves. 
 
 It is never necessary to explain a difficulty twice to a pupil 
 of good . 
 
 Few persons exert their to the utmost, or do all the 
 
 good that lies in their power. 
 
 I 3 
 
118 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " Whatever man has done, man may do'^ is a saying expres- 
 sive of the confidence a man should place in his own . 
 
 The rules and exercises in the book which I lent you are 
 so clearly and accurately explained, that they are intelligible 
 to the lowest , 
 
 The courage of the soldier and the and prudence 
 
 of the general are required to extricate an army from a 
 dangerous position. 
 
 The object is too big for our when we would com- 
 prehend the circumference of a world. 
 
 " Though a man has not the to distinguish himself 
 
 in the most shining parts of a great character, he has certainly 
 the of being just, faithful, modest, and temperate." 
 
 *' I look upon an statesman out of business like a 
 
 huge whale, that will endeavour to overturn the ship, unless 
 he has an empty cask to play with." 
 
 Aversion —Antipathy, 
 Aversion is an active term ; antipathy, a passive. 
 Aversion is a turning-from ; antipathy is a feel- 
 ing-against. An antipathy is not so strong as an 
 aversion. The former is a state of feeling : the 
 latter is a mental act. There is more of reason in 
 aversion, and more of impulse in antipathy. It is 
 something in our own nature which causes our 
 aversion. It is something in the nature of others 
 which produces our antipathy. Antipathy is opposed 
 to sympathy ; aversion is opposed to inclination. 
 Many persons feel antipathies to worms, mice, in- 
 sects, &c. The idle have an aversion from work. 
 We should endeavour to overcome antipathies, and 
 resist aversions. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. Il9 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There is a natural and necessary between good and 
 
 bad, in the same way as we may imagine the same to exist 
 between any two directly contrary qualities. 
 
 They took great pleasure in compounding lawsuits among 
 their neighbours, for which they were the of the gen- 
 tlemen of the long robe. 
 
 There are some persons for whom we entertain an 
 
 without being able to give any reason for our dislike ; we may 
 suppose, as some bodies have naturally a greater affinity for 
 each other, and others a repelling principle within them 
 which prevents their coming together, that the same principle 
 operates on the minds and affections of men. 
 
 When a man indulges in solitude to such a degree as to feel 
 
 a positive from mixing in society, he may depend upon 
 
 it that his mind is not in a very healthy state. 
 
 " To this perhaps might be justly attributed most of the 
 sympathies and observable in men." 
 
 " There is one species of terror which those who are unwil- 
 ling to suffer the reproach of cowardice have wisely dignified 
 
 with the name of . A man has indeed no dread of 
 
 harm from an insect or a worm, but his turns him pale 
 
 whenever they approach him." 
 
 " I cannot forbear mentioning a tribe of egotists, for whom 
 
 I have always had a mortal ; I mean the authors of 
 
 memoirs who are never mentioned in any works but their 
 own. 
 
 Approval — Approbation. 
 
 Approval is the act of approving. Approbation 
 is the state or feeling of approving- Our approval 
 is expressed positively ; our approbation is not ne- 
 1 4 
 
120 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SPNONYMES. 
 
 cessarily made known. Approval is taken in an 
 active signification ; approbation in a passive sense. 
 A virtuous conduct will ensure the approbation of 
 all good men. Tradesmen often send articles to 
 their customers on approval. We may be anxious 
 for the approbation of our friends ; but we should 
 be still more anxious for the approval of our own 
 conscience. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 "Precept gains only the cold of reason, and com- 
 pels an assent which judgment frequently yields with reluc- 
 tance even when delay is impossible." 
 
 " There is a censor of justice and manners, without whose 
 ' no capital sentences are to be executed." 
 
 " The bare of the worth and goodness of a thing is 
 
 not properly the wilHng of that thing ; yet men do very com- 
 monly account it so." 
 
 " He who is anxious to obtain universal will learn 
 
 a good lesson from the fable of the old man and his ass." 
 
 It is certain that at the first you were all of my opinion, 
 and that I did nothing without your . 
 
 The work has been examined by several excellent judges, 
 
 who have expressed their unqualified of its plan and 
 
 execution ; it will, therefore, be published without delay." 
 
 "There is as much difference between the of the 
 
 judgment, and the actual volitions of the will, with regard 
 to the same object, as there is between a man's viewing a 
 desirable thing with his eye, and reaching after it with his 
 hand." 
 
 "There is no positive law of men, whether received by 
 
 formal consent, as in councils, or by secret , as in 
 
 customs, but may be taken away." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 121 
 
 Burden — Load. 
 
 Whatever we bear is a burden ; that which is 
 laid upon us is a load. A load may be more than 
 we can bear ; a burden is troublesome to bear. In 
 the case of the burden, we act, for a burden does not 
 prevent, but impedes action. In the case of the 
 load, we are acted upon, for a load may take away 
 our power of acting. We sink under a load. We 
 are uncomfortable under a burden. Both the load 
 and the burden oppress us, but not in an equal 
 degree. An evil conscience is a burden ; a load of 
 guilt overwhelms the wicked. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 I am sure, you that know my laziness and extreme indif- 
 ference on this subject will pity me, entangled in all these 
 
 ceremonies, which are a wonderful . to me. 
 
 " I understood not that a grateful mind 
 By owing, owes not, but still pays, at once 
 
 Inde15ted and discharged : what then ? " 
 
 He had too much spirit, however, to become a to his 
 
 friends, and immediately determined to qualify himself for some 
 office which would enable him to earn his livelihood and be 
 independent of others' assistance. 
 
 The poor horse appeared to move forward with extreme 
 difficulty, and after having performed about half the journey, 
 sank to the ground utterly overwhelmed with the weight of 
 
 the he had to drag. 
 
 " Let India boast her groves, nor envy we 
 The weeping amber and the balmy tree. 
 
 While by our oaks the precious are borne, 
 
 And realms commanded which these trees adorn." 
 
122 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYiMES. 
 
 Tlie idle cannot be happy ; they are a to themselves 
 
 and others. 
 
 "None of the things they are to leara should ever be 
 made a to them, or imposed on them as a task." 
 
 Chief — Head, 
 
 Chief h2LS an active meaning. Head is used in a 
 passive sense. Head is a natural distinction ; chief 
 is an acquired distinction. Chief is the principal 
 actor, head is the principal person. The chief of 
 a tribe ; the head of a family. A chief magistrate, 
 a commander-in-chief. The^head of a profession, 
 the head of the church. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " No like thee, Menestheus, Greece could yield 
 
 To marshal armies in the dusty field." 
 
 " The — '■ s of the principal sects of philosophy, as Thales, 
 
 Anaxagoras, and Pythagoras, did consent to this tradition." 
 
 " Your I him appoint, 
 
 And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow 
 All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him lord." 
 
 " A prudent not always must display 
 
 His powers in equal ranks and fair array, 
 But with th' occasion and the place comply, 
 Conceal his force, nay, sometimes seem to fly." 
 As three weeks had now elapsed without the arrival of the 
 
 expected reinforcement, the met together to consult 
 
 upon what was best to be done in this emergency. 
 
 She was a woman of such uncommon talent and singular 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONT^IES. 123 
 
 pradence, that at the age of nineteen, she was akeady judged 
 fit to be the — ■. of a large establishment. 
 
 "Waverley pursued his course silently in the same direction, 
 
 determined to let the take his own time in recovering 
 
 the good-humour which he had so unreasonably discarded, 
 and firm in his resolution not to bate him an inch of dignity.*' 
 
 " The queen is acknowledged as the of the Church 
 
 of England." 
 
 **As each is more able to distinguish himself as 
 
 of a party, he will less readily be made a follower or asso- 
 ciate." 
 
 Consent — Assent 
 
 Consent is used in an active, assent in a passive 
 sense. Consent is given to an act to be performed ; 
 assent to an opinion or principle laid down. The 
 former word is applied to action; the latter, to 
 abstract ideas. We say properly — It was with great 
 difficulty that his consent to the marriage was gained. 
 When we say, he nodded assent, it signifies that he 
 expressed that his opinion or wish was in accordance 
 with that of another person. We may consent to 
 what does not please us, but we cannot assent to 
 what we do not believe. We refuse what we do 
 not consent to do ; we deny what we do not assent to. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He declared that he would never to such pernicious 
 
 principles. 
 
 We never could gain his to join our party. 
 
 He entirely to the truth of the proposition. 
 
124 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 " no ! our reason was not vainly lent, 
 Nor is a slave but by its own ! " 
 
 Charles I., in his last moments, was filled with remorse for 
 having to the execution of the Earl of Strafford. 
 
 In this situation of affairs, the king found himself obliged 
 to accede to the wishes of the nation which were so unequivo- 
 cally expressed ; he therefore gave his to the bill, and 
 
 thus secured his power, if not durably, at least for some years 
 longer. 
 
 " All the arguments on both sides must be laid in the 
 balance, and, upon the whole, the understanding determine its 
 
 King Edward to spare the town of Calais, on con- 
 dition that six of its principal citizens should be delivered 
 over to him. 
 
 Cultivation — Culture, 
 
 Cultivation denotes the act of cultivating : Cul- 
 ture, the state of being cultivated. Culture applies 
 to the soil ; cultivation, to what grows in it. The 
 culture of the earth ; the cultivation of corn. Meta- 
 phorically, the same distinction exists. We speak 
 of the culture of the intellect ; and of the cultiva- 
 tion of any one of its powers, as the taste, memory, 
 &c. The object of culture is to cause production : 
 thus the culture of the mind is attended to in early 
 years, in order to prepare the soil to bear fruit. 
 The object of cultivation is to improve and perfect : 
 thus, we direct our attention to the cultivation of 
 those arts or sciences in which we wish to excel. 
 Cultivation is sometimes used to represent the state 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 125 
 
 of being cultivated, as well as the act of culti- 
 vating. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Those excellent seeds implanted at an early age will by 
 
 be most flourishing in production. 
 
 *' If vain our toil, 
 We ought to blame the , not the soil." 
 
 " The plough was not invented till after the Deluge ; the 
 
 earth requiring little or no , but yielding its increase 
 
 freely, and without labour or toil." 
 
 There is no duty more incumbent upon us than the 
 
 of our tastes ; by this we shall never be at a loss for occupa- 
 tion, and consequently less liable than others to fall into 
 temptations. 
 
 The state of among this rude people was so imper- 
 fect, that it was with difficulty they could afford subsistence 
 to their new guests. 
 
 In many of the West-India islands the soil is naturally so 
 
 rich, and requires so little , that it produces many 
 
 plants and vegetables almost spontaneously. 
 
 The tea-plant has never been successfully out of 
 
 China. 
 
 Deity — Divinity. 
 
 Deity signifies the person, Divinity, the essence 
 or nature of God. Deity regards God as an agent ; 
 divinity is an attribute of God. When we speak 
 of the deities of the Grecian mythology, we mean 
 the persons of their gods. The divinity of Christ 
 signifies the divine nature of Christ. We speak of 
 the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Deity ; not 
 of the divinity. 
 
126 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 JExercise, 
 
 The habitual contemplation and study of the works of 
 Nature are well formed to increase our veneration for the 
 
 The temples of the Greeks took their names from the 
 - to whose honour they were erected ; some were dedi- 
 
 cated to the worship of one , others to that of many. 
 
 The who presided over agricultm'e were the daughters 
 
 of Cecrops, who are called the earliest priestesses of Pallas. 
 
 The word oracle was used by the ancients to designate not 
 
 only the revelations made by the to man ; but also, 
 
 the place in which such revelations were made. 
 
 The Scriptures were written by the inspiration of the 
 
 Among the ancient Romans, the sources of rivers were 
 sacred to some , and cultivated with rehgious cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Before proceeding any further, he offered a sacrifice to the 
 of the fountain. 
 
 Whatever occurred to those who were sacrificing, and in 
 doubt what to say, was supposed to be suggested by some 
 
 " Will you suffer a temple, how poorly built soever, but 
 yet a temple of your — , to be razed ? " 
 
 " But first she cast about to change her shape, for fear the 
 
 of her countenance might dazzle his mortal sight, and 
 
 overcharge the rest of his senses." 
 
 Example — Instance^ 
 
 Example has an active, instance a passive signi- 
 fication. An example is a thing or person. An 
 instance is something done. An example practi- 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 127 
 
 cally illustrates a rule ; the object of an example is 
 to instruct. An instance is a case in which some- 
 thing is represented]as done ; the object of an instance 
 is to illustrate. Men are examples of virtue or 
 vice ; the actions of men are instances of virtue 
 or vice. An example is held up for imitation or 
 avoidance ; an instance is related in order to shew 
 us why we should imitate or avoid. An example 
 incites us to act ; an instance excites us to reflect. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I am acquainted with many s of his kindness and 
 
 generosity, not only to his relations and friends, but also 
 to all those whom he may know to stand in need of his as- 
 sistance. 
 
 He conducts himself in every respect so properly, that he 
 is an to all the other boys in the school. 
 
 Demosthenes is commonly cited as an of the most 
 
 determined perseverance the world ever beheld ; he surmounted 
 every natural obstacle by his undaunted resolution, and finished 
 by becoming the most renowned orator that ever existed in 
 any age or country. 
 
 Innumerable are related of his perseverance ; . among 
 
 others, the accounts of his repeating his verses by the sea- 
 shore, his reciting with pebbles in his mouth, his shutting 
 himself in his room and studying a whole month at a time, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 If we wish others to do good, we should set them an 
 
 by doing well ourselves ; for we may be sure that what we do 
 will have a much more lasting effect on others than what we 
 say. 
 
 " Are sculpture and poetry thus debased," he cried, " to 
 
128 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3HES. 
 
 perpetuate the memory of a man whose best advantage is to 
 be forgotten ; whose no one action merits record, but as an 
 to be shunned ? " 
 
 Facility — Ease, 
 
 The first of these words has an active ; the second 
 a passive meaning. Facility refers to the doing of 
 a thing. Ease denotes the state of a person or thing. 
 Facility is a power belonging to the agent, and 
 regards the peculiar skill of him who performs. It 
 is something real or apparent in the nature of the 
 thing which causes it to be done with ease. A 
 practised hand performs with facility. An easy- 
 task may be accomplished with facility. "We now 
 see why a man is said to live at his ease, not at 
 hiS) facility. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 « is the utmost that can be hoped from a sedentary 
 
 and indolent habit." 
 
 " True in writing comes from art, not chance, 
 
 As those move easiest who have learnt to dance." 
 
 " Every one must have remarked the with which 
 
 the kindness of others is sometimes gained by those to whom 
 he never could have imparted his own." 
 
 " Nothing is more subject to mistake and disappointment, 
 
 than anticipated judgment concerning the or difficulty 
 
 of any undertaking." 
 
 " They who have studied, have not only learned many ex- 
 cellent things, but also have acquired a great of profit- 
 ing themselves, by reading good authors." 
 
 Every thing appeared to him ; and, by dint of 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 129 
 
 continued practice, he acquired a wonderful of exe- 
 cution. 
 
 " The which we acquire of doing things by habit 
 
 makes them often pass in us without our notice." 
 
 From this time forward, he lived at his , as he was 
 
 thus freed from the necessity of providing for his daily bread. 
 
 *' Nobody is under an obligation to know every thing ; 
 knowledge and science, in general, is the business only of 
 those who are at • and leisure." 
 
 Faith — Belief. 
 
 Belief exists ; faith acts. Belief is a passive 
 faith, and faith is an active belief. It has been said 
 that ^ faith will remove mountainsP We could 
 not here substitute the word belief for faith, because 
 belief is merely the passive quality. Faith impels 
 us to action, and is grounded on our belief. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "No man can attain — by the bare contemplation of 
 
 heaven and earth ; for that they neither are sufficient to give 
 us as much as the least spark of light concerning the very 
 principal mysteries of our— — ." 
 
 "The Epicureans contented themselves with a denial of 
 Providence, asserting, at the same time, the existence of gods 
 
 in general, because they would not shock the common 
 
 of mankind," 
 
 " builds a bridge across the gulf of death, 
 
 To break the shock bhnd nature cannot shun. 
 And lands thought smoothly on the farther shore." 
 
 " There shall fail, and holy hope shall die, 
 
 One lost in certainty, and one in joy." 
 K 
 
130 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " Supposing all the great points of atheism were formed into 
 a kind of creed, I would fain ask whether it would not require 
 an infinitely greater measure of . than any set of arti- 
 cles which they so violently oppose ? " 
 
 "I reject all sectaiian intolerance — I affect no uncharitable 
 jargon ; frankly, I confess, that I have known many, before 
 whose virtues I bow down ashamed of my own errors, though 
 they were not guided and supported by ." 
 
 "FeHx heard Paul concerning the ." 
 
 Falsehood — Falsity. 
 
 Between falsity and falsehood there is this differ- 
 ence — that falsehood is the active, and falsitf/ the 
 passive false. Some men practise falsehood ; but we 
 cannot say that they practise falsity, since this lat- 
 ter word is the state or quality of being false ; not 
 the act of doing falsely. "Probability does not 
 make any alteration^ either in the truth or falsity of 
 things." Falsity is always used as the abstract 
 false; falsehood is used in both senses; as the 
 abstract false, and as a false assertion. When the 
 falsity of an assertion is made evident, it is proved 
 to be a falsehood. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " All deception in the course of life is, indeed, nothing else 
 
 but a lie reduced to practice, and passing from words 
 
 to things." 
 
 The -of his pretensions was, however, discovered, 
 
 and universally admitted, so that he soon lost all his followers, 
 and was obliged to quit the country. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 131 
 
 "Many temptations to will occur in the disguise of 
 
 passions, too specious to fear much resistance." 
 
 " Neither are they -able to break through those errors, 
 wherein they are so determinately settled, that they pay unto 
 
 • the whole sum of whatsoever love is due unto God's 
 
 ti'uth." 
 
 " Artificer of fraud ; he was the first 
 
 That practised under saintly show."; 
 
 • Travellers, from a love of exaggeration, frequently introduce 
 into their narratives. 
 
 It must not be forgotten that these are not arguments, but 
 mere assertions ; and we can hardly be expected to believe 
 them till their truth or be tested. 
 
 Force — Strength, 
 
 Force is active ; it is strength exerted ; strength 
 expresses a passive quality. An argument has the 
 same strength, whether it be employed or not ; but 
 it has no force unless it be applied. Force, in fact, 
 is strength put in action. A man collects his 
 strength, to strike with force. We speak of the 
 strength of a wall or tower, and of the force of 
 water or steam. Strength resists attacks; force 
 puts the invaders to flight. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Feats 'of or agility excite our wonder and surprise, 
 
 but they seldom raise in us any great degree of admiration. 
 
 The lightning struck the oak with such ~, that all 
 
 the branches on one side of it were stripped off*, and a 
 K 2 
 
132 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 deep mark left in the bark from the top to the bottom of the 
 tree. 
 
 While endeavouring to reach the shore, one of the rowers 
 
 pulled the oar with such , that it suddenly snapped 
 
 asunder, and the party were consequently delayed an hour. 
 
 The Grecian mythologists represent Atlas as a man of 
 
 such immense , that he could bear the world on his 
 
 shoulders. 
 
 Nothing can resist the of truth ; the most wicked 
 
 and abandoned acknowledge her power, and are confounded 
 by her steady gaze. 
 
 The pier had not sufficient to withstand the 
 
 of the waves, and in the morning the whole stnicture was a 
 miserable wreck. 
 
 " No definitions, no suppositions of any sect, are of 
 
 enough to destroy constant experience." 
 
 He attacked the enemy's entrenchments with such — — , 
 that they were taken, and the camp abandoned in less than 
 half an hour. 
 
 Forgetfulness — Oblivion. 
 
 These two words fall under the class of active 
 and passive. Forgetfulness refers to persons ; 
 oblivion, to things. We cannot speak of things 
 buried in forgetfulness, nor can we allude to the 
 oblivion of men. The former is an act of the mind 
 — the latter, a state of things. Oblivion refers to 
 things forgotten ; forgetfulness, to those who forget 
 them. Persons are forgetful; things are lost in 
 oblivion. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYN0NY3IES. 138 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I have read in ancient authors invitations to lay aside care 
 
 and anxiety, and give a loose to that pleasing ■ wherein 
 
 men put off their characters of business." 
 
 " Thou shouldst have heard many things of worthy memory, 
 
 which shall now die in , and thou return unexperienced 
 
 to thy grave." 
 
 " O gentle sleep ! 
 Nature's soft nurse, how have I frighted thee, 
 That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down, 
 
 And steep my senses in !" 
 
 " By the act of , all offences against the crown, and 
 
 all particular trespasses between subject and subject, were 
 pardoned, remitted, and utterly extinguished." 
 
 " Have you not love enough to bear with me, 
 WTien that rash humour which my mother gave me 
 
 Makes me — ? " 
 
 " The debt immense of endless gratitude, 
 So burdensome, stUFpaying, still to owe, 
 
 ■ what from him I still received." 
 
 " "Water-drops have worn the stones of Troy, 
 
 And blind swallowed cities up, 
 
 And mighty states, characterless, are grated 
 To dusty nothing." 
 
 Grief — Affliction, 
 Grief is an active ; affliction^ a passive quality. 
 Grief signifies the heaviness of heart which is 
 caused by calamity or misfortune. Affliction signi- 
 fies a prostration of the feelings, and is the strongest 
 term we have to express the sufferings of the heart. 
 Grief is generally loud in expression, and shews 
 
 K 3 
 
134 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTIMES. 
 
 itself by violent gestures, sucli as wringing the 
 hands, beating the breast, &c. Affliction is the 
 sadness of silence. Grief requires to be soothed ; 
 affliction, to be comforted. Grief complains, afflic- 
 tion suffers. We raise up the afflicted ; we pacify 
 grief. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 caused by the death of her only son had so worked 
 
 upon the poor widow's feelings, that in a few weeks she was 
 reduced almost to a skeleton. 
 
 In addition to her other misfortunes, the old woman had 
 
 now become quite blind ; she bore this new , however, 
 
 with the greatest fortitude, and soon resumed her wonted 
 cheerftdness of manner. 
 
 I endeavoured to soothe his ; and, after some time, 
 
 succeeded in satisfying him of the necessity of submitting to 
 the . 
 
 On receiving this sad news, he burst out into exclamations 
 
 of the most passionate , declaring that he had now 
 
 nothing to live for, and that there was no more happiness for 
 him in this world. 
 
 In all our , the reflection that there is a compensat- 
 ing power, which will make up for every partial evil, must be 
 an unfailing source of consolation. 
 
 and ' are the common lot of mankind. 
 
 " The mother was so at the loss of a fine boy who 
 
 was her only son, that she died for of it." 
 
 " Where shall we find the man that bears , 
 
 Great and majestic in his like Cato ? " 
 
 " Some virtues are only seen in and some in pro- 
 sperity." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE STNONYMES. 135 
 
 Hatred — Odium, 
 Hatred is an active feeling. Odium is the feeling 
 in a passive state. We do hatred, but we suffer 
 odium. Odium is the feeling as respects those who 
 are hated ; hatred is the feeling as concerns those 
 who hate. A tyrant incurs the hatred of all good 
 men, and by his actions brings upon himself the 
 public odium. The odium of an offence will some- 
 times fall upon the innocent. He persecuted his 
 victim with unrelenting hatred. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 « —L is the passion of defiance ; and there is a kind of 
 
 hostility included in its very essence ; but then, if there could 
 
 have been in the world when there was scarcely any 
 
 thing , it would have acted within the compass of its 
 
 proper object." 
 
 The slightest and most innocent occasions often produce 
 , and propagate quarrels in the world. 
 
 The king incurred all the which should have fallen 
 
 on the projectors or inventors of all these unpopular measures. 
 
 Religious wars have always been characterized by the 
 
 and ruthless cruelty with which they have been 
 
 carried on. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the services he had rendered his country, 
 
 Miltiades incurred the of his fellow-citizens, and fell 
 
 a victim to the jealousy of his countrymen. 
 
 Henry VII. was personally brave, though he was a lover of 
 peace . but the great blemish of his character was avarice ; 
 
 and on all occasions he evinced an implacable to the 
 
 house of York. 
 
 " Retain no malice nor against any ; be ready to do 
 
 them all the kindness you are able." 
 K 4 
 
136 EXERCISES O^ ENGLISH SYNONYIMES. 
 
 « The • and offences which some men's rigour and 
 
 remissness had contracted upon my government, I was re- 
 solved to have expiated." 
 
 Inclination — Disposition, 
 Inclination is an active ; disposition, a passive 
 term. An inclination is a positive tendency towards 
 an object ; a disposition is that state of mind 
 which may be easily turned towards some par- 
 ticular object. Inclination has reference to single 
 acts ; disposition regards the whole frame of mind. 
 An inclination for study expresses a leaning of 
 the mind, or ability for it ; a disposition for study 
 expresses merely a passive state, which exhibits 
 natural capacity for it. I am inclined to do what I 
 have a wish for. I am disposed to do that to which 
 I have no objection. The sight of what is absurd 
 raises in us an inclination to laughter. On solemn 
 occasions, the mind is disposed to be grave and 
 serious. Inclinations are yielded to or repressed ; 
 dispositions are cherished or overcome. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Julius Caesar is said to have been a man of most amiable 
 his first care, after gaining a victory, was to spare 
 
 the vanquished, and on all occasions he showed more ■ 
 to mercy than severity. 
 
 One of the most essential points in forming a good 
 
 is to repress every — to satire and vanity. 
 
 On beholding so ludicrous a scene, it was with the greatest 
 difficulty that I could check my to laughter. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 137 
 
 ' Henry VIIL was never known to sacrifice to the 
 
 interest or happiness of another. 
 
 Towards the latter part of Charles the Second's reign, the 
 
 indolent of the king threw the direction of affairs very 
 
 much into the hands of his brother, the Duke of York. 
 
 " The love we bear to our friends is generally caused by 
 our finding the same in them which we feel in our- 
 selves." 
 
 Intellect — Understanding. 
 
 The intellect \^ active ; it does something — works 
 — invents — discovers. Understanding is a passive 
 word ; it merely admits or perceives truth. The 
 understanding is the faculty by which all who are 
 not idiots perceive evident truths. The intellect is 
 the understanding in a state of action, and is engaged 
 in the discovery of abstract and hidden truths. 
 Children have understandings ; men have intellect. 
 It requires but a common understanding to perceive 
 the truth of such a proposition as : '' Tiie fire 
 burns," or " the fields are green. '^ It requires an 
 operation of the intellect to perceive the truth of the 
 proposition : *' Every triangle contains two right 
 angles." Newton's intellect, not his understanding, 
 led to his discovery of gravitation. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Among the various powers of the , there is none 
 
 which has been so attentively examined by philosophers, or 
 concerning which so many facts and observations have been 
 collected, as the faculty of memory. 
 
138 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 An inquiry into the philosophy of the mind is one of the 
 noblest and most interesting pursuits in which the human 
 can be engaged. 
 
 Some studies require but a common , but there are 
 
 others which demand a very laborious and continued exer- 
 tion of the . 
 
 Those who have a clear have no difficulty in per- 
 ceiving truths which are laid before them ; those who are 
 
 endowed with a strong have the power of discovering 
 
 truths without the help of others. 
 
 "There was a select set, supposed to be distinguished 
 
 by superiority of , who always passed the evening 
 
 together." 
 
 " By I mean that faculty by which we are enabled 
 
 to apprehend the objects of knowledge,' general, as well as 
 particular.'* 
 
 Pretence — Pretext 
 
 Both pretexts and pretences deceive us : the 
 former, as to facts ; the latter, as to consequences. 
 The 'pretence misleads as to intention ; the pretext 
 covers the thing done. Hence the distinction is 
 as active and passive. When we say, " Justice has 
 been often used as a pretext for murder," we mean 
 that justice has often been put forward falsely as a 
 motive for taking away life ; the real motive being 
 concealed. "When we say, " The man obtained 
 money under false pretences," we mean that he 
 deceived others in respect of the purpose for which 
 they gave him the money. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONVMES. 139 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Unable any longer to find a for such barbarities, 
 
 he threw off all appearance of justice, and from thenceforward 
 showed himself to the world in his real nature — as an unre- 
 lenting tyrant. 
 
 He endeavoured to conceal his real intentions by the shal- 
 lowest , but his crafty designs were detected and frus- 
 trated by the very men he had hoped to make his victims. 
 
 Though conscious of his error in allowing himself to be 
 betrayed into the commission of this rash act, he had not 
 the generosity to confess his fault, but invented continual 
 ' to excuse his conduct with the people. 
 
 The officer received orders from the superintendent to keep 
 a strict watch over his prisoner, and under no what- 
 ever, to allow him to quit his place of confinement. 
 
 When the conspirators saw that their whole plot was disco- 
 vered, they each made various ■ to excuse their being 
 
 concerned in it ; some alleging that they were not aware of 
 the real designs of the plot, and others declaring that they 
 entirely mistook the views of the leaders. 
 
 Proposal — Proposition, 
 
 The distinction is here again as active and passive. 
 When you propose to do something, you make a 
 proposal ; when you propose that something shall 
 be done by others, you make a proposition. Pro- 
 posals are accepted or refused ; propositions are ac- 
 ceded to or rejected. A proposal, when accepted, is 
 followed by an act on the part of the proposer ; a 
 proposition, when acceded to, is followed by an act on 
 the part of those to whom it is submitted. If you 
 
140 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 propose to your friend that lie sliall accept you as a 
 partner, you make him a proposition : if you propose 
 to your friend to take him into partnership with 
 yourself, you make him a proposal. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 He made a to accompany us in our excursion, but 
 
 as we had aheady made all our arrangements for the occa- 
 sion, we were under the necessity of declining his offer. 
 
 Some time will be necessary for me to consider the nature 
 
 of this ; and even then, before acting upon it, I shall 
 
 probably be obliged to consult a friend. 
 
 Though the is very advantageous in many respects, 
 
 I have not yet decided upon accepting it, as I foresee that 
 it may involve me in a heavy responsibility. 
 
 The terms offered by the general were, that they should 
 lay down their arms, and promise not to appear again in the 
 field against the English. They joyfully acceded to this 
 
 Yesterday morning, after breakfast, my uncle came in, 
 and offered to take us all out for a walk. We immediately 
 
 accepted his with joy, and putting on our bonnets 
 
 and cloaks, accompanied him in a deHghtful stroll for two 
 hours along the banks of the river Lea, 
 
 Rashness — Temerity, 
 Rashness is a certain active quality of a man's 
 mind. Temerity is the corresponding passive state. 
 Rashness refers to the act; temerity, to the dis- 
 position. We discover rashness in the common 
 actions of life ; temerity in our resolutions, conclu- 
 sions, &c. We may possess, but we do not exercise, 
 
ACTFV^E AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 141 
 
 temerity. Our rashness appears in what we do ; our 
 temerity is the principle of our rashness. " A man 
 of temerity," not a man of rashness. " A rash act," 
 not a temerarious act. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " All mankind have a sufficient plea for some degree of rest- 
 lessness, and the fault seems to be Httle more than too much 
 of conclusion in favour of something not experienced." 
 
 " Still the kindness with which he is treated encourages him 
 to go on, hoping in time that he may acquire a steadier foot- 
 ing ; and thus he proceeds, half venturing, half shrinking, 
 surprised at his own good fortune, and wondering at his own 
 
 ' To jump into a river without being able to swim, or to 
 p over a hedge without being an expert horseman, is 
 
 " In so speaking, we offend indeed against truth ; yet we 
 offend not properly by falsehood, which is a speaking against 
 
 our thoughts, but by , which is an affirming or denying, 
 
 before we have sufficiently informed ourselves." 
 
 " Her hand in evil hour 
 
 Forth reaching to the fi'uit, she plucked, she ate." 
 
 "To distrust fair appearances, and to restrain • 
 
 desires, are instructions which the darkness of our present 
 state should strongly inculcate." 
 
 Reason — Cause, 
 Reason is an active ; cause a passive term. 
 Reasons are logical ; causes are natural. Reasons are 
 for actions ; causes for things. Causes are hidden 
 or evident ; reasons are true or false. A fair wind 
 is the cause of a vessel sailinor. To discover the 
 
142 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 reason why the vessel sails, we must apply to the 
 captain. Reason produces a conclusion, cause pro- 
 duces effect. There are many things for which we 
 cannot assign a satisfactory cause ; but every one 
 should be able to give a reason for his conclusions. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Though I have had many conversations with him on the 
 
 subject, he has never yet been able to assign a for 
 
 rejecting his former views, and adopting his new opinions. 
 
 He never thought proper to explain the of his acting 
 
 in this extraordinary manner ; and although the event proved 
 successful, it did not tend to raise him in the opinion of his 
 acquaintance, as they rightly judged this success rather a lucky 
 chance than the result of any mature deliberation. 
 
 The of volcanic eruptions arises from the combina- 
 tion of combustible materials in the bowels of the earth, which, 
 becoming ignited, explode, and find a vent through the outer 
 surface of the globe. 
 
 Wlien the appointed day arrived, and the vessel did not 
 make her appearance, every one was at a loss to account for 
 her prolonged absence ; the next day, however, she sailed into 
 
 port, the of her delay being accounted for by the 
 
 strong head-winds she had encountered during her passage. 
 " I mask the business from the common eye, 
 For sundry weighty ." 
 
 " Good must of course give way to better." 
 
 Recovery — Restoration, 
 
 Of these two words, recovery has an active, and 
 restoration a passive meaning. The former implies 
 an act of our own ; the latter, an act of another. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 143 
 
 The recovery of what we have lost regards our- 
 selves ; its restoration comes from others. The 
 difference between the recovery of our property and 
 the restoration of our property will then be obvious. 
 His health was recovered (by him). His health 
 was restored (to him). 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " I left you both in France, and in two years after, I went 
 to Italy for the of my health." 
 
 " He is now on the eve of visiting foreign parts ; a ship of 
 war is commissioned by its royal master to carry the author of 
 ' Waverley' to climates in which he may possibly obtain such 
 
 a of health as may serve him to spin his tlu'cad to an 
 
 end in his own country." 
 
 " Let us study to improve the assistance which this reve- 
 lation affords to the r — of our nature, and the of 
 
 our feUcity." 
 
 " After the pages which have been already devoted to enu- 
 merate the services rendered by Leo X. to all liberal studies 
 
 by the establishment of learned seminaries, by the of 
 
 the works of the ancient writers, and the publication of them 
 by means of the press, by promoting the knowledge of the 
 Greek and Latin languages, and by the munificent encourage- 
 ment bestowed by him on the professors of eveiy branch of 
 science, of literature, and of art, it would surely be as super- 
 fluous to recapitulate his claims, as it would be unjust to deny 
 his pretensions to an eminent degree of positive merit." 
 
 His health was chiefly by the use of goat's milk. 
 
 " Any other person may join with him that is injured, and 
 
 assist hun in ing from the offender so much as may 
 
 make satisfaction." 
 
144 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 Reformation — Reform, 
 
 These words differ as active from passive. Re- 
 formation is the act of reforming ; reform is the 
 State of being reformed. The reformation brings 
 about the reform. The reformation of the church 
 — Parliamentary reform. The former designates 
 the process of reforming the church; the latter, 
 the state of Parliament when in a new form. In 
 strict propriety, it cannot be said that a reform is 
 going on ; or that a reformation is effected. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Examples are pictures, and strike the senses, nay, raise 
 the passions, and call in those (the strongest and most general 
 of all motives) to the aid of — — ." 
 
 "He was anxious to keep the distemper of Prance from 
 the least countenance in England, where he was sure some 
 wicked persons had shewn a strong disposition to recommend 
 an imitation of the French spirit of ." 
 
 " Satire lashes vice into ." 
 
 " The s in representation, and the bills for shorten- 
 ing the duration of Parliaments, he uniformly and steadily 
 opposed for many years together." 
 
 " The pagan converts mention this great ■ of those 
 
 who had been the greatest sinners, with that sudden and sur- 
 prising change, which the Christian religion made in the hves 
 of the most profligate." 
 
 " There are many clamorous for in the political in- 
 stitutions of their country, who forget the requisite in 
 
 themselves." 
 
 " The burden of the lay on Luther's shoulders." 
 
 " One cannot attempt a perfect in the languages of 
 
 the world, without rendering himself ridiculous." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 145 
 
 Repentance — Contrition. 
 
 When we repent, we act ; when we are contrite, 
 we are in a passive state. Repentance is an active 
 term, and simply expresses lively sorrow for past 
 offences. Contrition is that state of mind into 
 which we bring ourselves by continued repentance ; 
 in which the heart is, as it were, bruisM at the 
 remembrance of sin. Eepentance is felt not only 
 for sin, but also for actions which may influence 
 our wordly affairs or condition. The motives for 
 contrition are always religious. Sorrow for having 
 offended God produces contrition. The reflection 
 that we have done wrong in any way produces 
 repentance. The heart is contrite — our reason 
 repents. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 During the remaining short period of his life, the prisoner 
 maintained a sullen and obstinate silence ; he expressed no 
 
 for his crime ; nor evinced the least desire to see any 
 
 member of his family. 
 
 He now clearly saw the probable consequences of his folly, 
 
 and bitterly lamented having taken so rash a step ; but 
 
 came too late, and it now only remained for him to prevent, as 
 far as lay in his power, the injury which his rashness might 
 cause to others. 
 
 I was told that he was really sincere in his , and 
 
 that he had made a strong resolution to conduct himself for 
 the future like an honest man and a virtuous citizen. 
 
 Her sighs and tears bore testimony to the depth of her 
 
 , and every one present was so firmly convinced of her 
 
 L 
 
 k 
 
146 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 sincerity, that several of those who witnessed her protestations 
 offered to take her into their service. 
 
 " , though it may melt, ought not to sink or over- 
 power the heart of a Christian," 
 
 " ^Yho by is not satisfied. 
 
 Is not of heaven nor earth." 
 
 Smell — Odour. 
 
 The word smell is used in both an active and 
 passive sense ; odour, properly, only passively. 
 The smell is active, as regards the organ of sense, 
 and passive as it exists in certain bodies. Odour is 
 also generally used, in a favourable sense, of what 
 has an agreeable or sweet smell. The word smell 
 is also used for the faculty of smelling : it is to be 
 regretted that the smelling should not be always 
 used for the faculty. 
 
 JExercise. 
 
 " Democritus, when he lay dying, sent for loaves of new 
 bread, which having opened and poured a little wine into 
 
 them, he kept himself alive with the till a certain feast 
 
 was past." 
 
 " The sweetest in the air is the white double violet, 
 
 which comes twice a year." 
 
 " The Levites burned the holy incense in such quantities as 
 
 refreshed the whole multitude with its , and filled all 
 
 the region about them with perfume." 
 
 " Me seemed I smelt a garden of sweet flowers." 
 
 " That dainty from them threw around." 
 
 ** Cheered with the grateful , old Ocean smiles." 
 
 " By the application of heat, the coffee bean increases to 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 147 
 
 nearly twice its original size, and emits a powerful and agree- 
 able . 
 
 " There is a great variety of , though we have but a 
 
 few names for them ; the of a violet and of musk, both . 
 
 sweet, are as distinct as any two ." 
 
 " To the north of China are found both apples and pears ; 
 but the latter are tasteless, and the former mealy and bad, 
 though with a fine colour and ." 
 
 Tyranny — Oppression. 
 
 In tyranny, the active quality is uppermost in the 
 mind ; in oppression, the idea of suffering is pro- 
 minent. He who exercises arbitrary power is a 
 tyrant; he who directs that power against the 
 people is an oppressor. Tyranny is exercised, 
 oppression is borne. In the word tyrant, the ideas 
 of haughtiness and imperious cruelty are comprised. 
 Oppressor is a more limited term, and is confined to 
 one mode of tyranny. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Boundless intemperance 
 
 In nature is a : it hath been 
 
 The untimely emptying of the happy throne, 
 And fall of many kings." 
 " Power, when employed to relieve the oppressed, and to 
 
 punish the , becomes a great blessing." 
 
 "Her taxes are more injudiciously and more ly 
 
 imposed, more vexatiously collected." 
 
 " Tarquin having governed ly, and taken from the 
 
 senate all authority, was become odious to the senate, nobility, 
 and people." 
 
 L 2 
 
148 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 " Domitian had been ; and in his time many noble 
 
 houses were overthrown by false accusations." 
 
 " If thou seest the of the poor, marvel not at the 
 
 matter, for He that is higher than the highest regardeth." 
 " By force of that commission, he in many places most 
 
 expelled them." 
 
 " I from ■ did the poor defend. 
 
 The fatherless, and such as had no friend." 
 
 "Our grand foe, 
 Wlio now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy, 
 Sole reigning, holds the of heaven." 
 
 Unity — Union. 
 
 Unity has an active, union, a passive meaning. 
 When two or more things are together, so as to 
 make but one, the state in which they then are is 
 their u7iion ; and the feeling by which they are held 
 together, after being made one, is their unity. 
 Union, then, is the state of being one; unity is 
 the state of having? but one sentiment or feeling. 
 Marriage is often termed a union ; Le. it is the being 
 together of two persons : all married persons, how- 
 ever, though united, do not live together in unity. 
 Children who are affectionate and kind to each other 
 are said to dwell in unity. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Take out of the world, and it dissolves into a 
 
 chaos.** 
 
 The want of ■ which exists between England and 
 
 Ireland has been the chief cause of the clamour for the 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 149 
 
 repeal of the , which has so long distracted the latter 
 
 country. 
 
 "Behold how good and how pleasant a thing it is for 
 brethren to dwell together in ! " 
 
 " W€, of all Christians, ought to promote among 
 
 ourselves and others." 
 
 The — — of the two armies was at length effected, and 
 their operations were effectually directed against the enemy. 
 
 To avoid dissension, it avails much that there be among 
 
 them a , as well in ceremonies as in doctrine. 
 
 *' One kingdom, joy, and without end." 
 
 " And gladly of our hear thee speak." 
 
 Utility — Usefulness, 
 
 Of these words, utility is the active, usefulness 
 the passive term. Our utility is discovered by what 
 we do ; our usefulness^ by what we are. One 
 person is of utility to another, when lie assists him, 
 or does him some service. A man's usefulness 
 consists in the power — not in the act — of making 
 himself useful. Utility is usefulness exerted. For 
 this reason, utility is more frequently said of persons ; 
 usefulness, of things. The utility of a thing is 
 discovered by the effects which it produces when 
 brought into action ; its usefulness is perceived in 
 its nature or inherent qualities. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The gentleman desired that I would give a relation of a 
 cure of the gout, that it might be made pubhc, as a thing 
 
 L 3 
 
150 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 which might prove of common to so great numbers as 
 
 were subject to that disease." 
 
 " Those things which have long gone together are con- 
 federate ; whereas new things agree not so well ; but though 
 
 they help by their : , yet they trouble by their incon- 
 
 formity." 
 
 " The grandeur of the commonwealth shows itself chiefly in 
 works that were necessary or convenient. On the contrary, 
 the magnificence of Rome, under the emperors, was rather 
 for ostentation than any real ; — ." 
 
 It is hoped that every sensible person who reads these 
 
 exercises will have no difficulty in perceiving their , and 
 
 the author ventures to assert that those who practise them 
 will soon acknowledge their . 
 
 " I had occasion to refer several times to the work you 
 mentioned in your last letter, but I soon found the book was 
 of no ■ whatever, and I have now discontinued refer- 
 ring to it." 
 
 Value — Worth. 
 
 Value has an active ; worth, a passive meaning. 
 The quality "worth" is what a thing has in itself. 
 Its *' value " is determined by what it does for you. 
 
 The worth of any thing depends upon its real 
 merit ; its value is determined by the price it would 
 fetch in an open market. Worth is intrinsic ; value 
 depends upon circumstances. Worth is an essential, 
 value an accidental property. That which is really 
 of little worth may be of great value in consequence 
 of its scarcity, or the great demand for it. Worth 
 is permanent ; value is changeable. The worth of 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE STNONTMES. 151 
 
 a picture is always the same ; its value varies with 
 the taste of purchasers, scarcity of pictures by the 
 same master, &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I know his , and appreciate it fully, in proof of 
 
 which I have given him the appointment in preference to all 
 the other candidates. 
 
 The of a book is immediately depreciated by the 
 
 publication of another and a better one on the same subject. 
 
 The • of the estate is estimated at a much higher sum, 
 
 in consequence of its being adjacent to some property from 
 which it is said to derive many advantages. 
 
 How much is that picture ? It has been at 
 
 eighty guineas, but I consider it much more. 
 
 The of a man's estate has nothing to do with his 
 
 moral ; for every individual should be estimated by 
 
 what he is, rather than by what he has. 
 
 The of a thing may differ greatly from its ; 
 
 the former depends upon circumstances, whilst the latter is 
 always the same. 
 
 Veracity — Truth, 
 
 The former word is here active ; the latter, pas- 
 sive. Veracity regards persons ; truth regards 
 things. Truth is, veracity does. We speak of the 
 truth of history, but of the veracity of the his- 
 torian. We can depend upon the truth of what- 
 ever is asserted by a man of known veracity. The 
 thing said is true ; the person who says it is 
 veracious. 
 
 L 4 
 
152 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 JExercise, 
 
 " In real , I believe that there is much less differ- 
 ence between the author and his works than is currently 
 supposed." 
 
 " Many relations of travellers have been slighted as fabulous, 
 till more frequent voyages have confirmed their ." 
 
 " As we lived near the road, we often had the traveller or 
 stranger visit us, to taste our gooseberry wine, for which we 
 
 had great reputation ; and I profess, with the of an 
 
 historian, that I never knew one of them find fault with it." 
 
 " What can we say ? Even that which the man in Terence 
 said to a person whose he suspected." 
 
 " I shall think myself obliged for the future to speak always 
 in and sincerity of heart." 
 
 " There are innumerable with which we are wholly 
 
 unacquainted." 
 
 "They thought they might do it, not only wilUngly, 
 
 because they loved him, and ly, because such indeed 
 
 was the mind of the people ; but safely, because she who ruled 
 the king was agreed thereto." 
 
 As his has never been called in question, we have no 
 
 reason to doubt the of his assertion. • 
 
 To caution — to loarn. 
 We are cautioned against acting injudiciously; 
 we are warned of what may act injuriously upon 
 ourselves. lYe warn a man of approaching danger ; 
 we caution him against running into it. Heavy- 
 clouds warn us of the coming storm. He cautioned 
 his friend not to approach too near the enemy's 
 lines. We are cautioned against speaking rashly ; 
 we are warned of the consequences. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES, 153 
 
 Exercise, 
 Upon entering into business, he was frequently 
 
 against having any deaUngs with Mr. B., whose want of prin- 
 ciple made it very dangerous for any one to be connected with 
 
 him. He, however, disregarded this , and was soon 
 
 induced to embark with this very man in extensive speculations. 
 
 His friends again strongly urged him to break off all further 
 connection with so unprincipled and daring an adventurer. 
 
 But the came too late, for he now found himself so 
 
 deeply involved that nothing could save him from ruin. 
 
 When the poor mother left her children, she • the 
 
 eldest not to allow the two youngest to approach the fire. 
 
 Though of the consequences, the child paid no atten- 
 tion to her mother's injunctions ; and having left her sisters 
 alone in the room for a few minutes, she was horror-struck on 
 her return to find one of them enveloped in flames. 
 
 Attention to the forementioned symptoms affords the best 
 
 s and rules of diet, by way of prevention. 
 
 " Not e'en Philander had bespoke his shroud. 
 Nor had he cause ; — a was denied." 
 
 To defend — to protect 
 
 To defend is an active ; io protect, a passive term. 
 To defend is to ward off; to protect is to cover 
 over. We defend those who are attacked ; we 
 protect those who are liable to be attacked. In 
 defending, we exert ourselves ; in protecting, we 
 merely place ourselves between two parties. Swords 
 and spears are arms of defence ; helmets and shields 
 are weapons of protection. A town is defended by 
 its garrison and cannon ; a town is protected by 
 
154 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 its fortifications, and its natural position. Houses 
 protect us from the inclemency of the weather. 
 Brave soldiers defend their country. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The streets were filled with poor, stan^mg wretches, the 
 pictures of misery and poverty, shivering with the cold, and 
 with nothing but a few rags to them from the incle- 
 mency of the season. 
 
 Just as the magistrate was about to leave the bench, a poor 
 woman entered the court in a state of great agitation, and 
 
 implored the magistrate to her against the violence of 
 
 her husband. 
 
 As he was on the point ot entering the ravine, a huge boar 
 suddenly leaped out upon him; he drew his hanger, and 
 
 himself as weU as he could, till his companions came 
 
 to his assistance, and soon put the wild beast to flight. 
 
 The forty-eighth regiment, being charged with great im- . 
 
 petuosity by the enemy's cavalry, themselves for 
 
 some time with the most' determined bravery ; but being at 
 length overpowered by the superior weight and number of the 
 enemy, were reluctantly obliged to retreat. 
 
 Though well from the weather by a thick great- coat, 
 
 he caught such a violent cold in travelling outside the stage 
 from Brighton to London, that it brought on a severe attack 
 of fever. 
 
 To eat — to feed. 
 
 To eat is the act of taking in nourishment ; to feed 
 is the act of deriving nourishment. By eating, we 
 become fed. Infants cannot eat, they are fed. We 
 are fed as much by what we drink, as by what we 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 155 
 
 eat. Men are not said to feed (in an intransitive 
 sense). Beasts feed ; men are fed. In a metapho- 
 rical sense, rust eats into iron. The imagination 
 feeds upon romances. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The elephant could not have reached the ground without 
 
 his proboscis ; or if it be supposed that he might have 
 
 upon the fruit, leaves, or branches of trees, how was he to 
 drink?" 
 
 At five o'clock in the afternoon, a bell is rung in the Zoolo- 
 gical Gardens, Eegent's Park, to give notice to the visitors that 
 the keepers are going to the beasts. 
 
 The doctor assured his patient that all his indisposition 
 arose from too much ; and prescribed no other medi- 
 cine for him than moderation in his living. 
 
 " And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him • with 
 
 publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples : How is it 
 that he with publicans and sinners ? " 
 
 Boerhaave a sparrow with bread four days, in which 
 
 time it • more than its own weight. 
 
 " Some birds upon the berries of this vegetable." 
 
 The child had made itself so ill from a great quantity 
 
 of unripe fruit, that its life was for some days despaired of. 
 
 In winter, when fodder is scarce, cows and sheep 
 
 upon turnips. 
 
 To employ — to use. 
 
 To use a thing is to derive enjoyment or service 
 from it ; to employ is to turn that service into a 
 particular channel. What is employed is made to 
 act ; what is used is acted upon. We use words to 
 
156 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 express our general meaning ; we employ certain 
 words on particular occasions. Technical terms are 
 employed in scientific works. Pens, ink, and paper 
 are the materials used in writing. Time and talent 
 are employed in writing, because they are made to 
 produce an intended effect. 
 
 He such strange terms, and in such an uncommon 
 
 signification, that many of his writings are very difficult to 
 understand. 
 
 My brother's business has become so extensive, and he 
 consequently requires so much more assistance, that he has 
 
 found it necessary to forty additional hands in his 
 
 manufactory. 
 
 The quantity of paper annually for the supply of 
 
 English newspapers is 121,184 reams, some of which paper 
 
 is of an enormous size ; and thousands of j^ersons are 
 
 in producing these daily and weekly publications. 
 
 There is nothing insignificant, nothing which may not be 
 • for some good purpose ; and though we are not always 
 
 able to perceive its utility, we are not justified in concluding, 
 on that account, that it is utterly worthless. 
 
 We may often our time profitably, even when not 
 
 engaged in manual labour, or in any powerful exertion of the 
 intellect. 
 
 diUgence and perseverance, and you cannot fail of 
 
 To find — to meet with. 
 In finding, we act ; in meeting with, some person 
 or thing acts upon us. What we find, we go towards 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONTMES. 157 
 
 either by chance or intentionally. What we meet 
 with presents itself to us unsought for. In looking 
 for a quotation in some poet, we may not be able to 
 find it, but may meet with one which will answer 
 our purpose equally well. "We find what we search 
 for ; we meet with what we do not expect to see. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " "We many things worthy of observation." 
 
 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall 
 
 " What a majesty and force does one in these short 
 
 inscriptions ! Are you not amazed to see so much history 
 gathered into so small a compass ? " 
 
 " She disappeared, and left me dark ; I walked 
 
 To her, or for ever to deplore 
 
 Her loss." 
 
 " Hercules' ■ Pleasure and Virtue, was invented by 
 
 Prodicus, who lived before Socrates." 
 
 " It is agreeable to compare the face of a great man with 
 the character, and try if we can in his looks and fea- 
 tures, either the haughty, cruel, or merciful temper." 
 
 "He was afraid of being insulted with Greek, for which 
 
 reason he desired a friend to • him a clergyman rather 
 
 of plain sense than much learning." 
 
 I have lost my book, and can it nowhere. 
 
 The other day looking carelessly through the leaves of that 
 
 work, I — two or three passages which struck me as 
 
 being so sensibly conceived, and so forcibly expressed, that I 
 determined to peruse the book. 
 
158 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To found — to ground, 
 
 To found is used actively — to ground, passively. 
 A charge is founded — a belief is grounded. We 
 should not accuse without a foundation, nor suspect 
 without good grounds for suspicion. We should 
 have a foundation for our actions, and grounds for 
 our thoughts and feelings. The grounds for sus- 
 picion may lead us to suspect, and suspicion itself 
 may be the foundation of a charge. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I know there are persons who look upon these wonders of 
 art (in ancient history) as fabulous ; but I cannot find any 
 for such a suspicion." 
 
 " The only sure principles we can lay down for regulating 
 our conduct must be on the Christian rehgion." 
 
 " The solemn usage of praying for the dead can be ■ 
 only on the belief that there exists a middle state of purifica- 
 tion and suffering through which souls pass after death, and 
 from which the prayers of the faithful may aid in delivering 
 them." 
 
 " A right to the use of the creatures is originally in 
 
 the right a man has to subsist. " 
 
 " It may serve us to conjectures more approaching 
 
 to the truth than we have hitherto met with." 
 
 " Wisdom her laws upon an infalHble rule of com- 
 parison." 
 
 " If it be natural, ought we not to conclude that there is 
 
 some and reason for these fears, and that nature has 
 
 not planted them in us to no purpose ? " 
 
 " Power on contract can descend only to him who 
 
 has a right by that contract." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 159 
 
 To furnish — to supphj, 
 
 I furnish, that you may use; I supply, that 
 you may not want. What is wanting to make a 
 thing complete must be supplied ; what is required 
 for occasional use is furnished. Our wants are 
 supplied ; our comforts are furnished. The poor 
 are supplied with blankets and coals during the 
 winter : the rich man's table is furnished with 
 delicacies. What is furnished we keep by us for 
 use ; what is supplied we use immediately. 
 Hence, a house is furnished with tables and chairs ; 
 a larder is supplied with meat and vegetables. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The demand for cotton goods was so great, that the manu- 
 facturers could not the dealers fast enough. 
 
 The ships were weU fitted out, being with all the 
 
 necessary nautical instruments, and amply with pro- 
 visions. 
 
 The shelves of his library are with a collection of 
 
 rare books. 
 
 London is with vegetables chiefly from the market- 
 gardens in the neighbourhood of Hammersmith and Ful- 
 ham. 
 
 Youth is the season for the mind with sound prin- 
 ciples. 
 
 What he wanted in ability was by unremitting 
 
 assiduity. 
 
 The encroachments of Philip of Macedon Demo- 
 sthenes with the subject-matter of some of his most celebrated 
 orations. 
 
160 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Having obtained entrance to the prison, lie his 
 
 friend with the means of escaping. 
 
 The unfortunate crew having lost every thing they possessed, 
 
 were with clothes, and with money to enable 
 
 them to reach their homes. 
 
 To invent— to discover. 
 
 To invent has an active ; to discover, a passive 
 meaning. When things are combined in such a 
 way as to produce an effect never before known, the 
 author of such a combination invents. That which 
 always existed, but was never known, is discovered 
 when it becomes known. Thus, the expansive'power 
 of steam was discovered, and the steam-engine was 
 invented. America was discovered— not invented, 
 because, though that continent was unknown to 
 the inhabitants of Europe before the year 1493, 
 we may presume that it had existed from the 
 beginning of time. Printing was invented— not dis- 
 covered, because it was the effect produced by the 
 combination of metal type, ink, paper, &c. Newton 
 discovered the law of gravitation. Galileo invented 
 the telescope. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There has lately been by M. Menas in the convent 
 
 of Santa Laura, on Mount Athos, a manuscript containing one 
 hundred and twenty-one Greek fables of Babrius. 
 
 There appear to be reasonable grounds for the beUef that 
 what are justly regarded in Europe as two of the most im- 
 portant . of modem times, viz. : the art of printing, 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 161 
 
 and the composition of gunpowder had their first origin in 
 China. 
 
 The date of the of gunpowder is involved in ob- 
 scurity. It has been said that it was used in China as early 
 as A.D. 85. It has also been stated, that about 1336, 
 Berthold Schwartz, a monk, the mode of manufactur- 
 ing it. 
 
 The Chinese had the attractive power of the load- 
 stone from remote antiquity ; but its property of communi- 
 cating polarity to iron is for the first time noticed in a Chinese 
 dictionary, finished A.D. 121. 
 
 To keep — to retain. 
 
 To keep is an active — to retain is a passive term. 
 We keep, by our own power ; we retain, through 
 vrant of power or want of exertion in others. What 
 we have power to prevent others taking from us, 
 we keep ; what others do not choose, or cannot 
 manage, to take from us, we retain. We keep 
 money in trust for others. We retain Our authority 
 over others. Men sometimes retain their faculties 
 to a great age. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 In spite of the most strenuous efforts of the opposite party, 
 
 the new member such influence in the county, that at 
 
 the next election he was returned to Parliament by an over- 
 whelming majority. 
 
 The prince was a man of most extravagant habits ; he 
 
 a numerous stud of horses, a pack of hounds, and an 
 
 expensive establishment ; he gave splendid entertainments, 
 
 and open house for all his friends. 
 
 M 
 
162 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Those who themselves clear of bad company will 
 
 be less likely to acquire bad habits, and may ■ their 
 
 innocence. 
 
 In Scotland, many people live to a great age ; and are not 
 
 only active and cheerful, but all their faculties to the 
 
 last. 
 
 The unfortunate prisoner, when led to the place of execu- 
 tion, betrayed no weakness or fear of death, but ing 
 
 his firmness to the last, laid his head upon the block with the 
 most dignified composure. 
 
 We have a right] to what belongs to us, but no 
 
 arguments can justify our ing the property of another. 
 
 To lay — to lie. 
 
 The confusion in the use of these verbs has arisen 
 from the fact, that the present tense of the first 
 verb is spelled and pronounced exactly in the same 
 way as the past tense of the second ; the parts of 
 both verbs are as follows : — 
 
 Pres. Past, Part, 
 
 Lay laid laid 
 
 Lie lay lain 
 
 To lay is a transitive verb, and means to place 
 down ; to lie is an intransitive verb, and means to 
 place one^s self down, 
 
 cLay down the book = Place the book down. 
 
 1. -{ I laid down the book =1 placed the book down. 
 I The book was hid down = The book was placed down. 
 rLie down = Place yourself down. 
 
 ll] 
 
 2. \ I lay down =1 placed myself down. 
 
 ■ had lain down =1 had placed myself down. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 163 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " As a man should always be upon his guard against the 
 vices to which he is most exposed, so we should take a more 
 
 than ordinary care not to at the mercy of the weather 
 
 in our moral conduct." 
 
 "Europe then under a deep lethargy, and was 
 
 no otherwise to be rescued but by one that would cry 
 mightily." 
 
 " It was a sandy soil, and the way had been full of dust ; 
 but an hour or two before, a refreshing, fragrant shower of rain 
 had ■ the dust." 
 
 He had not down a quarter of an hour, before the 
 
 bell rang for dinner. 
 
 " Homer is like his Jupiter in his terrors, shaking Olympus ; 
 Virgil, like the same power in his benevolence, counselling 
 with the gods ^ing plans for empires." 
 
 " He intends to '■ — in a store of wood and coals for the 
 
 winter." 
 
 " Ants bite off all the buds before they ■ it up, and 
 
 therefore the corn that has in their nests will produce 
 
 nothing." 
 
 To persevere — to persist 
 
 To persevere has to do with the action ; to persist, 
 with the spirit or will that prompts it. We perse- 
 vere in doing ; we persist in thinking. We per- 
 severe in study ; we persist in an opinion. By 
 persisting we remain unchanged — that is, we lose 
 nothing of our state. By persevering, we attain 
 our end. Men persist in belief, error, conceit, &c. ; 
 they persevere in kindness, virtue, &c. — that is, in 
 
 M 2 
 
164 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 kind and virtuous actions. To persist is more fre- 
 quently used in a bad sense ; to persevere has gene- 
 rally a favourable acceptation. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 If you are determined to in your error, you must 
 
 abide by the consequences ; and you will find, perhaps when 
 too late, that you are farther than ever from the accomplish- 
 ment of your design. 
 
 Those who in doing well will, in the end, be re- 
 warded. 
 
 Having resolved to finish his task by the end of the second 
 week, he in writing a portion of it every day. 
 
 Though repeatedly cross- questioned by the whole bench, the 
 witness in the same story, and his evidence being after- 
 wards corroborated by that of another witness^ all the asser- 
 tions he had made were proved to be true. 
 
 No argument could induce him to alter his sentiments ; he 
 
 in maintaining the same opinions which he has always 
 
 entertained on this subject. 
 
 There are many who make good resolutions, but few who 
 in them. 
 
 To err is human, but to in error is diabolicaL 
 
 " If we in studying to do our duty towards God and 
 
 man, we shall meet with the esteem, love, and confidence of 
 those who are around us." 
 
 " A spoiled child in his follies from perversity of 
 
 humour." 
 
 To teach — to learn. 
 
 It is to be remarked, that in many European 
 languages, the same word is used for to teach and 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 165 
 
 to learn. In Shakspere* and Spenserf, the verb to 
 learn frequently occurs in the sense of to teach. 
 This sense is now obsolete. To learn is to receive, 
 and to teach is to give, instruction. He who is 
 taught, learns, not he who teaches. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " In imitation of sounds, that man should be the teacner 
 is no part of the matter ; for birds will one of ano- 
 ther." 
 
 " I am too sudden bold ; 
 To a teacher ill beseemeth me." 
 
 " Dissenting ers are under no incapacity of accept- 
 ing civil and military employments." 
 
 " Nor can a er work so cheaply as a skilful, prac- 
 tised artist." 
 
 " If some men wicked things, it must be that others 
 
 should practise them." 
 
 Locke, in his " Thoughts concerning Education," says that 
 
 pupils should every rule by the practical application 
 
 of it, and not by tedious illustrated precepts, which cannot 
 make half the impression." 
 
 "If there are several children, there is no better way of 
 
 fixing things in the memory than when one has 
 
 something to make him . it to the others, which the 
 
 distinction attending the act will always cause him to be eager 
 to do." 
 
 " Let a pupil understand everything that it is designed to 
 
 * " He would learn 
 
 The lion stoop to him in lowly wise, 
 A lesson hard." 
 
 f " Hast thou not learrCd me how 
 To make perfumes ? " 
 M 3 
 
166 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 him. If he cannot understand a thing this year, 
 
 it was not designed by his Creator that he should it 
 
 this year." 
 
 To trust — to credit. 
 
 Both these words signify to put faith in. We 
 trust what is to happen; we creditYf\i2X has happened. 
 We give credit to good news, and we trust it will 
 not prove false. We give a man credit for his good 
 intentions ; we trust he will turn out as we have 
 reason to expect. Trust looks forward; credit 
 looks back. When we trust our property to others, 
 we give them credit for their honesty. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 They thought his character was not well enough estabhshed 
 to justify his being to execute so important an enter- 
 prise ; and he was consequently withdrawn from the com- 
 mand. 
 
 He has deceived me so often, that I can no longer put the 
 least in his promises, nor give any to his state- 
 ments. 
 
 To the surprise of all present, the youthful lecturer displayed 
 a profound knowledge of his subject, and an extent of reading 
 hardly to be in one so young and inexperienced. 
 
 Though it wears some appearance of likelihood, we attach 
 
 but little to the report ; and we that affairs 
 
 will not turn out so bad as they have been represented. 
 
 I have placed the whole affair in his hands, ^ing to 
 
 his talents and ingenuity to bring it to a happy conclusion. 
 
 The account differs so widely from that previously received 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE STNONTMES. 167 
 
 and is so irreconcilable with known facts, that it is not worthy 
 
 of the least . 
 
 We can put no in a liar, nor give any to his 
 
 tales. 
 
 To waver— to fluctuate. 
 
 To waver has an active signification. When we 
 waver, we are undecided as to what we shall do. 
 The meaning of io fluctuate is passive. In fluctuat- 
 ing, we are acted upon. Our state of mind, or 
 passion, is affected when we fluctuate. We waver 
 in action, we fluctuate in passion. He who cannot 
 make up his mind as to whether he shall or shall 
 not act in a certain way — tvavers. He who is 
 alternately affected by conflicting passions or feel- 
 ings — fluctuates. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " So ingenious is the human heart in deceiving itself, as well 
 as others, that it is probable neither Cromwell himself, nor those 
 making similar pretensions to distinguished piety, could ex- 
 actly have fixed the point at which their enthusiasm terminated, 
 and their hypocrisy commenced ; or rather it was a point not 
 
 fixed in itself, but ing with the state of health, of good 
 
 or bad fortune, of high or low spirits, affecting the individual 
 at the period." 
 
 "As the greatest part of my estate has been hitherto of an 
 unsteady and volatile nature, either tossed upon seas, or 
 
 ing in fands, it is now fixed and settled in substantial 
 
 acres and tenements." 
 
 " Let a man, without trepidation or ing, proceed in 
 
 discharging his duty." 
 
 M 4 
 
168 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 " The tempter, but with show of zeal and love 
 To man and indignation at his wrong, 
 New parts puts on, and as to passion moved, 
 disturbed." 
 
 " Thou almost mak'st me in my faith, 
 
 To hold opinion with Pythagoras, 
 That souls of animals infuse themselves 
 Into the trunks of men." 
 
 Authentic — Genuine, 
 
 The term authentic, as an active quality, is 
 applied to historical documents, memoirs, news, &c. 
 which are considered good authority, and worthy of 
 belief, as regards the subjects of which they treat. 
 Genuine is a passive word. A document is correctly 
 said to be genuine when it is what it professes to 
 be, but it is not always, for that reason, authentic. 
 Genuine has to do with the connection between a 
 work and its reputed author. Authentic regards its 
 character, as deserving of consideration as a stan- 
 dard work. Sir Walter Scott's " Life of Napoleon 
 Bonaparte " is not considered authentic. Chatter- 
 ton's '^ Eowley's Poems " were discovered to be not 
 genuine. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The question of the of Ossian's poems has been long 
 
 set at rest. 
 
 The most account of this transaction may be found 
 
 in " Sonnini's Travels in Egypt." 
 
ACTIVE Al^D PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 169 
 
 His memory was so wonderful, that there was scarcely a 
 Greek or Eoman author of whose works he could not describe 
 
 all the manuscripts, and inform you of their exact 
 
 worth, as throwing any light on the history of their times. 
 
 The character of this extraordinary scholar was made up of 
 
 the most simplicity, accompanied with the quickest 
 
 sagacity and the deepest penetration. 
 
 We have reasonable grounds to doubt the of the 
 
 account concerning the discovery of Richard the First by his 
 favourite minstrel, Blondel. 
 
 It was Niebuhr's opinion that several of the books said to 
 have been written by Julius Caesar are not . 
 
 " We are surprised to find verses of so modern a cast as the 
 following at such an early period ; which in this sagacious 
 age we should judge to be a forgery, was not their — — ness 
 
 ated, and their antiquity confirmed by the venerable 
 
 types of Caxton." 
 
 Actual — Real. 
 
 Actual qualifies what is done, and refers to a 
 previous act; real refers to what simply exists as an 
 object of thought. The former is active, the latter 
 passive in meaning. When we speak of the actual 
 condition of a country, we signify the condition into 
 which it has been brought by previous acts ; when 
 we speak of its real condition, we mean the state in 
 which it exists as an object of contemplation. 
 Actual is opposed to suppositious ; real is opposed to 
 imaginary, feigned, or artificial. An actual fact, a 
 real sentiment. 
 
170 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " When I place an imaginary name at the head of a charac- 
 ter, I examine every letter of it, that it may not bear any 
 resemblance to one that is ." 
 
 " In this slumbry agitation, besides her walking and other 
 — performances, what, at any time, have you heard her 
 
 say?" 
 
 ** For he that but conceives a crime in thought 
 
 Contracts the danger of an — fault ; 
 
 Then what must he expect that still proceeds 
 To finish sin, and work up thoughts to deeds ? " 
 " We do but describe an imaginary world, that is but little 
 
 akin to the one." 
 
 " The very notion of any duration being past implies that 
 it was once present ; for the idea of being once present is 
 
 ly included in the idea of its being past." 
 
 '* Imaginary distempers are attended with and un- 
 feigned sufferings." 
 
 " All men acknowledge themselves able and sufficient to do 
 
 many things which ly they never do." 
 
 " These orators influence the people, whose anger is 
 ly but a short fit of madness." 
 
 Awkward — Clumsy, 
 
 Awkward has an active ; clumsy^ a passive mean- 
 ing. An awkward man wants grace of action ; a 
 clumsy man wants grace of shape. Awkward is 
 opposed to adroit ; clumsy is opposed to elegant. We 
 do not discover awkwardness before something is 
 done ; clumsiness is seen in the very appearance of 
 a thing or person. A clumsy man may have an 
 awkward gait. We speak of an awkward manner, 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONrMES. l7l 
 
 and a clumsy appearance. An awkward man is 
 not always clumsy ; for many persons of elegant 
 figure and appearance are anything but adroit in 
 their actions. In the expression "an awkward 
 excuse," we regard the maker of it ; the phrase 
 " a clumsy excuse" points to the nature of the 
 excuse when made. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I hardly know anything so difficult to attain, or so neces- 
 sary to possess, as perfect good breeding ; which is equally 
 inconsistent with a stiff formality, an impertinent forwardness, 
 and an bashfulness." 
 
 " All the operations of the Greeks in sailing were 
 
 and unskilful." 
 
 This is, after all, but a contrivance, and I fear 
 
 will not answer the purpose for which it is intended. 
 
 ** Their own language is worthy their care ; and they are 
 
 judged of by their handsome or way of expressing 
 
 themselves in it. " 
 
 " Montaigne had many imitators, who, under the 
 
 notion of writing with the fire and freedom of this lively old 
 Gascon, have fallen into confused rhapsodies and uninteresting 
 egotisms." 
 
 All the work he was set to was so ly done, [that it was 
 
 soon found necessary to discharge him from the office. 
 
 Apt-^Fit 
 
 Apt has an active sense, ^^ represents a passive 
 state. We are naturally apt ; we are rendered fit. 
 Those who are quick of apprehension are apt scho- 
 lars. Those who have studied sufficiently VLreJit to 
 
172 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYM^S. 
 
 undertake certain duties. Children are apt to make 
 mistakes. Well-seasoned wood is fit for use. Apt 
 represents a natural tendency; fit represents an 
 acquired power. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 ** Nor holy rapture wanted they, to praise 
 
 Their Maker in strains, pronounced or sung." 
 
 " If you have a wise sentence or an phrase, commit 
 
 it to your memory." 
 
 " Men are — to think weU of themselves, and of their 
 
 nation, their courage, and strength." 
 
 " It is a wrong use of my understanding to make it the rule 
 
 and measure of another man's ; a use which it is neither 
 
 for, nor capable of." 
 
 " Men of valour to go out for war and battle." 
 
 " Even those who are near the court are to deduce 
 
 wrong consequences, by reasoning upon the motives of ac- 
 tions." 
 
 The poor man had become so weak and emaciated by his 
 
 long illness, that he was no longer to work, and was 
 
 wholly unable to maintain his family. 
 
 " He lends him vain Goliah's sacred sword. 
 
 The est help just fortune could afford." 
 
 " words can strike ; and yet in them we see 
 
 Faint images of what we here enjoy." 
 " One who has not these lights is a stranger to what he 
 reads, and his to put a wrong interpretation upon it." 
 
 Contented — Satisfied. 
 
 Contented refers to the state in which we have 
 brought our mind by our own determination ; it 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONIMES. 173 
 
 represents the result of our own act. Satisfied 
 qualifies that state of mind which is the consequence 
 of some external action. Contentment comes from 
 within ; satisfaction proceeds from without. We 
 are the authors of our own contentment; others 
 cause our satisfaction. When we restrain our de- 
 sires, we are contented; when our desires are 
 gratified, we are satisfied. There is merit in con- 
 tentment, since it argues considerable power of 
 mind. The poor are often contented; the ava- 
 ricious are never satisfied. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " No man should be with himself that he barely does 
 
 weU, but he should perform everything in the best manner 
 he is able." 
 
 " It is necessary to an easy and happy Ufe, to possess our 
 
 'minds in such a manner as to be well with our own 
 
 reflections." 
 
 " To distant lands Vertumnus never roves. 
 
 Like you, with his native groves." 
 
 The poorest man may be ; but the most enormous 
 
 wealth and most successful ambition have seldom produced 
 
 " I ask you whether a gentleman who has seen a Httle of the 
 
 world, and observed how men live elsewhere, can ^ly 
 
 sit down in a cold, damp habitation, in the midst of a bleak 
 country, inhabited by thieves and beggars ? " 
 
 " As I have been disappointed myself, it wiU be very hard 
 
 if I have not the of seeing other people succeed 
 
 better." 
 
 " I am ; my boy has done his duty." 
 
 " He expressed himself perfectly with his task." 
 
174 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Efficacious — Effectual, 
 That which possesses a large share of power to 
 bring about an effect is qualified as [efficacious ; 
 that which has already produced an effect is 
 qualified as effectual. A remedy is efficacious, 
 which is known to possess all the properties re- 
 quired to produce a cure ; a remedy is effectual, 
 which we know, from experience, has already 
 effected cures. Severity may be efficacious, even 
 when not practised ; it is also found to have been 
 effectual, i.e. has produced the desired effect. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " He who labours to lessen the dignity of human nature 
 destroys many motives for practising worthy actions." 
 
 " Sometimes, the sight of the altar, and decent preparations 
 for devotion, may compose and recover the wandering mind 
 more ^ly than a sermon." ,^ i 
 
 *' Nothing so ly deadens the taste of the sublime as 
 
 that which is light and radiant." 
 
 These disturbances at length rose to such an alarming 
 
 height, that it was found necessary to adopt some 
 
 means of quelling them ; and accordingly, a large body of 
 soldiers was marched into the immediate neighbourhood of 
 the riots, which kept the rebels in awe, and soon re-estabUshed 
 order throughout the country. 
 
 On this occasion, the government displayed a severity which 
 was well known to be in such cases. The result justi- 
 fied their views, for these severe measures ly prevented 
 
 a repetition of the like offences. 
 
 Kindness united with firmness is a more means 
 
 of securing obedience than indiscriminate harshness and 
 severity. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 175 
 
 Efficient — Effiective. 
 
 What actually does produce an effect is efficient 
 "What has power to produce an effect, is effective. 
 An efficient force is one now engaged in action ; an 
 effective force is one which, when put in action, is 
 capable of bringing about a certain effect. We j udge 
 of what is efficient from its acts ; we judge of what 
 is effective from its appearance. An effective body 
 of police is one which, judging from its force, num- 
 bers, and other external circumstances, has the 
 power to prevent crime, and preserve order. An 
 efficient body of police is one by whose daily efforts 
 crime is prevented and property rendered secure. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " I should suspend my congratulations on the new liberties 
 of France, until I was informed how it had been combined 
 with government, with the discipline of the armies, and the 
 collection of an revenue." 
 
 " No searcher has yet found the cause of sleep." 
 
 " Nor do they speak properly who say that time consumes 
 
 all things, for time is not , nor are bodies destroyed 
 
 by it." 
 
 " The magnetic fluid may be an cause in occasioning 
 
 the inclination of the earth's axis ; yet no variation of this 
 dip has been ever observed." 
 
 He has applied himself with such diligence to the business 
 
 of the office, that he is now become one of the most 
 
 members of the government." 
 
 " There is nothing in words and styles but suitableness that 
 makes them ." 
 
 Creosote is now known as an remedy in many dis- 
 eases. 
 
176 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Expert — Experienced, 
 
 Expert has to do with the hand ; Experienced, 
 with the head. Expert men are tried in action ; 
 experienced men are tried in counsel. The expert 
 have continual practice ; the experienced have had 
 much practice, and have acquired much knowledge. 
 Young persons may be expert, but they can never 
 be experienced. Experience must be gained by 
 time. Tlie experienced form the design, and entrust 
 it for execution to the expert. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " men can execute, and judge of particulars, one 
 
 by one ; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshal- 
 ling of affairs come best from those that are learned." 
 
 " To him Nestor thus rejoined, 
 
 friend, what sorrows dost thou bring to mind ! " 
 
 " The meanest sculptor in the JEmilian square 
 Can imitate in brass the nails and hair, 
 
 in trifles, and a cunning fool. 
 
 Able to express the parts, but not dispose the whole." 
 " "We must perfect, as much as we can, our ideas of the 
 distinct species ; or learn them from such as are used to that 
 
 sort of things, and are in them." 
 
 " This army, for the and valour of the soldiers, 
 
 was thought sufficient to have met the greatest army of the 
 Turks." 
 
 " He through the armed files 
 
 Darts his eye." 
 
 Without the faculty of memory, no advantage could be de- 
 rived from the most enlarged . 
 
 " Fearless they combat every hostile wind. 
 Wheeling in many tracks with course inclined, • 
 to moor, where terrors line the road." • 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONTMES. 177 
 
 Fruitful — Fertile. 
 
 Fruitful is an active ; fertile, a passive term. 
 Ground which requires but little culture is fertile. 
 Trees which bear much fruit are fruitful. Aptness 
 for cultivation is the cause of fertility ; actual 
 production is the proof of fruitfulness. In a moral 
 sense, the same distinction exists. A fertile inven- 
 tion possesses a readiness of contrivance ; a fruitful 
 invention has numerous contrivances ready for use. 
 A fertile country has the power of producing ; a 
 fruitful country does produce. Fertility is not 
 fruitfulness, but fruitfulness implies fertility. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 In many of the West India islands, the earth is so , 
 
 and requires so little human labour, that the plants and herbs 
 may be almost said to grow spontaneously. 
 
 The southern side of the island is very , and requires 
 
 but little cultivation ; in other parts, however, the soil is 
 comparatively barren, and with considerable labour, but very 
 poor crops are produced. 
 
 It may be said with truth that vanity is the most 
 
 source of human unhappiness, for there is scarcely a single 
 vice to which it may not lead, unless it be checked in early 
 years. 
 
 Our orchard has proved more this year than for 
 
 many previous summers. The of the trees is partly 
 
 owing to the natural of the soil, and partly to the warm 
 
 sun and refreshing showers which have been so prevalent 
 during the whole of the season. 
 
 In the year 1811, the of the vine, both in Trance and 
 
 Germany, was remarkable. For many years after, the wines 
 N 
 
178 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 of that year's growth were in great request in both those 
 countries, and to this day they are talked of with pride by the 
 old vine-dressers. 
 
 Friendly — Amicable. 
 
 Friendly is an active ; amicable is a passive 
 word. The former qualifies persons ; the latter is 
 applied to conditions of life, or states of being. 
 Men are friendly ; an intercourse is amicable. We 
 discover persons to be friendly by their actions. 
 The state in which persons live may be amicable. 
 Those who entertain a friendly feeling towards each 
 other live amicably together. A friendly visit, 
 offer, &c.; an amicable arrangement, accommodation, 
 &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "What first presents itself to be recommended is a dis- 
 position averse from offence, and desirous of cultivating har- 
 mony, and intercourse in society." 
 
 " Who slake his thirst ; who spread the board, 
 
 To give the famish'd Belisarius food ? " 
 
 " As I acknowledged this, I felt a suffusion of a finer kind 
 
 upon my cheek — more warm and to man than what 
 
 Burgundy (at least of two livres a bottle, which was such as I 
 had been drinking) could have produced." 
 
 " They gave them thanks, desiring them to be still 
 
 unto them." 
 
 " In Holland itself, where it is pretended that the variety of 
 
 sects live so ly together, it is notorious how a turbulent 
 
 party, joining with the Arminians, did attempt to destroy the 
 republic." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 179 
 
 "Nations, grown ■ as the flocks and herds, shall 
 
 depute their monarchs to meet at a festival of the world for 
 commemorating the jubilee of a fifty years' peace." 
 " Thou to mankind 
 Be good and still, and oft return." 
 
 Healthy — Wholesome. 
 
 That is healthy which actively promotes or 
 increases our bodily strength. That is wholesome 
 which does no harm to our physical constitution, 
 but possesses the passive quality of health. Pure 
 au', exercise, occupations, &c., are healthy ; plain 
 food, diet, &c., are wholesome. The internal 
 functions of the body are disorganized by un- 
 wholesome food ; the physical powers are improved 
 by healthy air and regular exercise. In like 
 manner, abstractly, a wholesome doctrine is a 
 preservative to our morality ; a healthy tone of 
 mind tends to the improvement of our faculties. 
 What is healthy acts upon us ; what is wholesome, 
 we act upon. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The severity of the labour, and the un state of the 
 
 atmosphere in which they work, operate most injuriously on 
 the physical constitution of this class of the population. 
 
 All sour fruits, strong wines, and ardent spirits, are univer- 
 sally condemned as un food for children. 
 
 The situation of the house, and the order and regu- 
 larity with which the establishment is conducted, have greatly 
 contributed to raise its reputation. 
 N 2 
 
180 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Plain, ■ food, pure air, and regular exercise, wiU not 
 only strengthen the bodily powers, but will also preserve the 
 mental faculties in a state. 
 
 A close, damp situation, accumulated matter in a state of 
 decomposition, and want of proper ventilation, are the certain 
 elements of disease, and make rapid inroads on the most 
 constitution. 
 
 He is a strong, man ; he rises early, works hard, 
 
 lives on fare, and enjoys refreshing sleep, 
 
 " So that the doctrine contained be but and edifying, 
 
 a want of exactness in speaking may be overlooked." 
 
 " Gardening or husbandry, or working in wood, are fit and 
 ■ recreations for a man of study or business." 
 
 Impracticahle — Impossible. 
 
 The first of these terms has an active^ the second 
 a passive sense. The distinction between them is, 
 that the first regards those designs which cannot be 
 accomplished by human skill or ingenuity ; whilst 
 the second is applied to those' things which are 
 contrary to the existing laws of nature, or to com- 
 mon sense. Thus, nothing is impossible to God, 
 because He is above the laws of nature. It is 
 impossible for a man to be in two places at once. 
 It is impossible that two and two should make 
 more or less than four. The design of cutting a 
 canal across the isthmus of Darien may have been 
 hitherto impracticable, but it is not impossible 
 that it may, one day, be carried into execution. 
 Again, the navigation of some rivers may be im- 
 
 .J 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 181 
 
 practicable, but it is not impossible that improve- 
 ments in science may so far overcome natural 
 obstacles, as to render it practicable. 
 
 JExercise, 
 
 It is to comprehend the nature of God. 
 
 We were obliged to abandon the plan, as it was found to 
 be . 
 
 When you say that two straight lines can inclose a space, 
 you assert what is . 
 
 It is folly to consider things because they are 
 
 With men, this is ; but with God, all things are 
 
 possible. 
 
 It is that a boy of twelve years should have the 
 
 experience of a man of forty. 
 
 " To preach up the necessity of that which our experience 
 
 tells us is , were to affright mankind with a terrible 
 
 prospect." 
 
 Intolerable — Insufferable. 
 
 Intolerable is an active quality — insufferable has 
 a passive meaning. The former qualifies that which 
 our mind or body has not power to fight against ; 
 the latter, that which our moral or physical con- 
 stitution will not allow us to endure. The same 
 distinction holds good between the verbs to suffer 
 and to tolerate. Cold, heat, pain, thirst, &c., are 
 insufferable ; pride, vanity, rudeness, &c., are in- 
 tolerable. In suffering, we are acted upon ; in 
 tolerating, we act. 
 
 N 3 
 
182 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 In the last engagement, he received a sabre- wound in his 
 
 left shoulder, which put him to such pain, that he 
 
 fainted, and was carried off the field by some of his comrades. 
 
 The overseer behaved with such harshness and arro- 
 gance, that not a man in the establishment would serve under 
 him ; and all the workmen signed a petition to the governor 
 praying for his removal. 
 
 The heat of the climate during three months is , and 
 
 causes so great a mortahty, that in some places the towns are 
 almost deserted by the inhabitants, who seek the cooler and 
 more refreshing atmosphere of the mountains. 
 
 She so intensely from head-ache, that she frequently 
 
 lies for whole days on her bed, unable to move or to make the 
 slightest exertion. 
 
 It is the most rational philosophy to those evils for 
 
 which no remedy can be found. 
 
 Likely — Probable, 
 
 Likely is an active ; 'probable^ a passive word. 
 Men and things are likely; things are probable. 
 Likely refers to the present state of a thing vs^ith 
 respect to its future state ; probable refers to its 
 future state with respect to what it now is. If we 
 take the two expressions : 1, "A likely story," and 
 2, " A probable story," the difference between them 
 will be, that a likely story is one which, from 
 internal evidence and present appearance, carries 
 conviction of its truth. A probable story is one 
 which has the chances in its favour, but which we 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 183 
 
 are not so readily inclined to believe as the other. 
 What is likely is always probable ; but what is 
 probable is not always likely. Likelihood depends 
 upon appearances ; probability, upon the number of 
 chances in its favour. A bright morning is likely 
 to turn out a fine day ; but it is probable that it 
 will be foggy, if it be during the month of Novem- 
 ber. We speak of a likely, never of a probable 
 person. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is very that I shall be obliged, in the course of 
 
 next month, to make a journey to the Highlands. 
 
 The effect of my delay in the country will be the 
 
 neglect of my affairs in town, and perhaps the loss of much 
 business. 
 
 From the present appearance of affairs, I should think such 
 a conclusion very . 
 
 It is that my cousin will arrive in England towards 
 
 the end of next month. 
 
 It is that if Napoleon had conquered the English, he 
 
 would have succeeded in establishing a universal monarchy in 
 Europe. 
 
 " It seems that he was in hopes of being busy and 
 
 conspicuous." 
 
 The weather is now settled, and I think it very — • 
 
 that we shall have a fine day for our excursion. 
 
 " That is accounted which has better arguments pro- 
 ducible for it, than can be brought against it." 
 
 Lovely — Amiable. 
 Lovely is active in its signification, and means in- 
 spiring love. Amiable has a passive sense, and 
 
 N 4 
 
184 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 signifies deserving of love. The outward appearance 
 is lovely ; the disposition and character are amiable. 
 Beauty of form, shape, colour, &c., are lovely ; the 
 kind, gentle, tender, and affectionate are amiable. 
 We speak of an amiable wife or daughter ; and of a 
 lovely evening, flower, sunset, &c. Amiable is never 
 applied to things^ and lovely never to moral qualities. 
 We can neither say an amiable flower, nor a lovely 
 temper. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Though of an excellent temper, and most disposition, 
 
 he could be very strict and even severe when the occasion 
 required, and managed all the affairs of the institution with 
 the utmost prudence and discrimination. 
 
 On arriving at Kemagen, we took post-horses to Ahrweiler, 
 
 and travelUng through the valley of the Ahr, arrived 
 
 in about two hours at Altenahr, about twenty miles from the 
 Rhine. 
 
 We had scarcely been seated five minutes, when the door 
 
 opened, and in walked a httle girl, apparently about 
 
 five years old. 
 
 The door was opened by a young woman of most 
 
 appearance, who asked us, in the kindest tone, to walk in and 
 take some refreshment after our long journey. 
 
 He is just the proper person to mediate between the parties ; 
 
 for his temper, inflexible justice, and the esteem in 
 
 which they both hold him, make it very hkely that he will 
 succeed in reconciling them to each other. 
 
 " More fresh and than the rest 
 
 That in the meadows grew." 
 
 " Sweet Auburn, village of the plain." 
 
 " Tully has a very beautiful gradation of thoughts to shew 
 how virtue is." 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 185 
 
 Malicious — Malignant 
 
 Malicious implies an active; malignant, a passive 
 or dormant feeling. Malicious is actively exerting 
 malice ; malignant is possessing malice. A mali- 
 cious feeling is one w^hich does harm to others ; 
 a malignant disposition is one which may be 
 easily excited to do injury. Things are seldom 
 qualified as malicious, though often as malignant ; 
 as a malignant fever, disekse, influence, climate, 
 &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The disposition of the minister was so against me, 
 
 that he left nothing untried to compass my ruin. Unhappily 
 for me, an occasion soon presented itself. I was traduced to 
 the king, thrown into prison, and all my honors and estates 
 confevred on another. 
 
 I was now in a deplorable condition ; my wife lay ill of 
 
 a fever, my two sons were too young to do any thing 
 
 for themselves, and I had not a farthing in the world to pro- 
 cure them the commonest necessaries of life. 
 
 The unhealthy state of many climates is caused by the 
 
 vapours which rise from extensive tracts of land 
 
 covered with stagnant water. Fever, ague, and rheumatism 
 are thus engendered to a fearful extent. 
 
 It required all his vigilance and caution to keep clear of 
 
 the intrigues of his foe, who thwarted all his plans, 
 
 and in many cases successfully interfered with his designs for 
 the pubUc improvement. 
 
 Go not near him; his influence is most , and it will 
 
 affect not yourself only, but also your friends. 
 
186 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 " Greatness, the earnest of fate 
 
 For future woe, was never meant a good." 
 
 " Still horror reigns, a dreary twilight round 
 Of struggling night and day mixed." 
 
 Mercantile — Commercial. 
 
 Mercantile is used in an active sense ; it qualifies 
 those who buy and sell commodities. Commercial 
 is passive in its acceptation ; it has reference to the 
 state of things or persons. Mercantile people are 
 such as are actually engaged in business ; com- 
 mercial people are those who understand the theory 
 and practice of commerce. The English are a com- 
 mercial people ; the majority of the inhabitants of 
 London are mercantile men. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Of the talents of Bonaparte, I can be supposed to 
 
 know but httle ; but bred in camps, it cannot be supposed 
 that his knowledge can be very great." 
 
 " Such is the happiness, the hope of which seduced me from 
 the duties and pleasures of a life." 
 
 " Though this was one of the first — — transactions of 
 my life, yet I had no doubt of acquitting myself with re- 
 putation." 
 
 " We usually find that a certain apathy to amusement, per- 
 fectly distinct from mere gravity of disposition, is the charac- 
 teristic of nations." 
 
 " The ' world is very frequently put into confusion 
 
 by the bankruptcy of merchants." 
 
 "It was the morning of Diomed's banquet, and Diomed 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 187 
 
 himself, though he greatly affected the gentleman and the 
 
 scholar, retained enough of his experience, to know 
 
 that a master's eye makes a ready servant." 
 
 " One circumstance prevented intercourse with 
 
 nations from ceasing altogether." 
 
 " Let him travel, and fulfil the duties of the military or 
 
 life ; let prosperous or adverse fortune call him to the 
 
 most distant parts of the glohe, still let him carry on his know- 
 ledge, and the improvement of his soul." 
 
 Owing — Due, 
 
 That is owing which is to be referred to as an 
 origin or source ; that is due which ought to be 
 paid as a debt. Justice is due to all men. It was 
 owing to this difficulty that the plan did not suc- 
 ceed. In the first of these examples, justice is 
 qualified as due — i. e, to be paid as a natural right. 
 In the second, the difficulty is mentioned as the 
 origin or cause of the plan not succeeding. 
 
 In such sentences as " The money is owing," 
 " It was due to the ignorance of the scholars," &c., 
 both words are, undoubtedly, misapplied. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " There is from the judge to the advocate some 
 
 commendation, where causes are well handled and fairly pleaded. 
 
 There is hkewise to the public a civil reprehension of 
 
 advocates, where there appears cunning, gross neglect, or slight 
 information." 
 
188 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 "There is a respect to mankind which should 
 
 incline cTen the wisest of men to follow innocent customs." 
 
 ** This was to an indifference to the pleasures of life, 
 
 and an aversion to the pomps of it." 
 
 " The custom of particular impeachments was not limited 
 any more than that of struggles between nobles and commons ; 
 
 the ruin of Greece was to the former, as that of Rome 
 
 was to the latter." 
 
 Whatever is to you shall certainly be paid. 
 
 " If we estimate things, what in them is to nature, 
 
 and what to labour, we shall find in most of them ninety -nine 
 hundredths to be on the account of labour." 
 
 " Mirth and cheerfulness are but the reward of an 
 
 innocent life." 
 
 Peaceable — Peaceful. 
 
 Peaceable denotes an active, peaceful^ a passive 
 quality. Peaceable refers to an inclination to peace ; 
 peaceful qualifies what remains at peace, or is in a 
 state of peace. Peaceable is having the desire of 
 peace ; peaceful is having the quality of peace. A 
 peaceful valley ; a peaceable disposition. A cot- 
 tage is not peaceful which is disturbed by the 
 brawls of its^ inmates ; a man is not peaceable 
 who is continually quarrelling with his acquaint- 
 ances. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 *' I know that my disposition already gives me a 
 
 very ill figure here." 
 
 " Still as the walks of ancient night, 
 
 Silent as are the lamps that bum in tombs." 
 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE STNONTMES. 189 
 
 " Succeeding monarchs heard the subjects* cries, 
 
 Nor saw displeased the cottage rise.** 
 
 " The balance of power was provided for, else Peisistratus 
 
 could never have governed so ^ly, without changing 
 
 any of Solon's laws.'* 
 
 " But how faint, how cold is the sensation which a 
 
 mind can receive from solitary study ! ** ; 
 
 " The reformation in England was introduced in a 
 
 manner, by the supreme power in Parliament.*' 
 " As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost, 
 
 And thus with words upraised her soon.*' 
 
 The young king thus finding himself in > — . possession 
 
 of the throne, directed his attention to the cultivation of those 
 arts which embellish life and refine human nature. 
 
 " In this retired and spot he spent the remaining 
 
 days of his life." 
 
 Poetic — Poetica I, 
 
 Poetic is the active, and poetical the passive 
 term. Poetic qualifies what produces poetry, or is 
 an agent in producing it ; thus we have poetic 
 rage, poetic frenzy, &c. Poetical qualifies that 
 which already exists as an object of our thought 
 or contemplation : thus we have poetical language, 
 a poetical licence, &c. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 language is distinguished from prose, by figure, 
 
 metre, and harmony. 
 
 Those who are said to be of a temperament are 
 
 generally much more nervous and easily excited than others. 
 
 Milton is celebrated not only for his compositions ; 
 
 I'^Ml^^/^vii^^yl^ ■• 
 
190 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 he was a beautiful prose writer, and one of the best classical 
 scholars of his age. 
 
 A reader discovers, without any effort, a thousand 
 
 beauties which not only are hidden from others, but which 
 no power of explanation can siwiceed in making them com- 
 prehend. 
 
 Though young and inexperienced in writing, he has shewn 
 in these works considerable harmony and smoothness of ver- 
 sification, nor are they wanting in power in many 
 
 passages. 
 
 " Truth of every kind belongs to the poet, provided it can 
 bud into any kind of beauty, or is capable of being illustrated 
 and impressed by the faculty." 
 
 Pindar is characterized by his energy. Horace says 
 
 that he rushes along roaring and foaming like a mighty river, 
 carrying every thing with it in its course. 
 
 Reasonable — Rational. 
 
 Reasonable is the active ; rational, the passive 
 quality. One who exercises reason is reasonable ; 
 one Vfho possesses reason is rational. Man is a 
 rational animal — that is, he is endowed with the 
 reasoning faculty. Reasonable men are those who 
 make use of their reason. The brutes are irrational. 
 Though all men are rational, many are very far 
 from being reasonable. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Human nature is the same in all '- creatures." 
 
 " As that which has a fitness to promote the welfare of man, 
 considered as a sensitive being, is styled natiu'al good ; so, 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 191 
 
 that which has a fitnijss to promote the welfare of man as a 
 
 , voluntary, and free agent, is styled moral good, and 
 
 the contrary to it, moral evil." 
 
 " The Parliament was dissolved, and gentlemen furnished 
 with such forces as were held sufficient to hold in bridle either 
 the malice or rage of people." 
 
 "It is our happiness to have a nature, that is 
 
 endued with wisdom and reason." 
 
 " The evidence which is afforded for a future state is suffi- 
 cient for a ground of conduct." 
 
 It is greatly to be lamented that — beings are not more 
 
 Chaucer makes Arcite violent in his love, and unjust in the 
 pursuit of it j yet when he came to die, he made him think 
 
 more • ly. 
 
 " To act ijQ direct opposition to our convictions is ." 
 
 " When the conclusion is deduced from the unerring dictates 
 of our faculties, we say the inference is — * ." 
 
 Sociable — Social. 
 
 Those who are in active intercourse with their 
 fellow -creatures are sociable; those who are formed 
 for society are social, Man is a social animal ; but 
 all men are not sociable. Social refers to the 
 natural quality of men to congregate together, and 
 live in society. Sociable refers to the particular in- 
 clination of some to be in continual intercourse with 
 their friends and acquaintances. 
 
 When these words qualify things (not persons), 
 the same distinction of active and passive holds 
 good between them. Social is that which relates 
 
192 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 to society. Social morality means that species 
 of morality which affects men living in society. 
 Sociable is that which promotes intercourse ; hence 
 the word has been used substantively to designate a 
 sort of chair or carriage, which is convenient for 
 familiar conversation. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 A great portion of our happiness in this world arises from 
 
 the power of that intercourse by which we are enabled 
 
 to communicate our thoughts and feehngs to others, and 
 receive theirs in exchange. 
 
 Man appears to have been made a being in order 
 
 that he might help his fellow-man and assist him to provide 
 against those dangers which his unaided power has not strength 
 to resist. 
 
 Even those who are most ^ly inclined do not like to 
 
 be always in the midst of their friends, or in actual intercourse 
 with their fellow creatures ; for all sensible men must require 
 some time for study and meditation. 
 
 He acquired in early Mfe such un habits, that he 
 
 never could overcome his dislike to society, where he always 
 both looked and felt ill at ease. 
 
 We met there several very clever and amiable men, and 
 spent a most and dehghtful evening with them. 
 
 Salutary — Salubrious, 
 
 Both these words signify improving the health. 
 Salutary^ however, is more active in its effects 
 than salubrious. This latter word is used in a pas- 
 sive sense ; it signifies having the property of im- 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE STNONYMES. 193 
 
 proving health. The air in the south of France is 
 equally salubrious, whether we reside there or not. 
 The word salutary has a more active meaning ; 
 what it qualifies affects us, as it were, of its own 
 accord. For this reason, salubrious is more fre- 
 quently used in a proper sense, whilst salutary is 
 generally used metaphorically. Thus we have 
 salubrious air, climate, water, &c. ; and a salutary 
 doctrine, influence, practice, &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 ** If that foTintain (the heart) be once poisoned, you can 
 
 never expect that streams will flow from it." 
 
 " Be that as it may, a reformation was wrought — 
 
 the Muses were brought back from the rattle and the go-cart 
 to lift their voices as of old ; and the isle of Britain, east and 
 west, north and south, broke out into one voluntary song." 
 
 "A sense of the Divine presence exerts this in- 
 fluence of promoting temperance, and restraining the disorders 
 incident to a prosperous state." 
 
 His mode of Hfe was now entirely changed ; no longer pent 
 up within the narrow streets of a crowded city, or the hot 
 
 rooms of London gaiety, he rose betimes, enjoyed the 
 
 mountain air the whole day, ate temperately, and retired to 
 rest at an early hour. 
 
 Instruction or admonition is when it serves the 
 
 purpose of strengthening good principles, and awakening a 
 sense of guilt or impropriety. 
 
 " I boast no song in magic wonders rife, 
 But yet, Nature ! is there nought to prize 
 Familiar in thy bosom-scenes of life ? 
 
 And dwells in daylight truth's skies, 
 
 No form with which the soul may sympathize ? * 
 O 
 
194 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Sufficient — Enough. 
 
 Sufficient is an active quality, and respects the 
 necessaries of life. Enough has a passive meaning ; 
 it respects self-enjoyment. A man has sufficient vrho 
 has no longer a desire. A man has enough who has 
 no longer a want. Some men never have enough, 
 though they have much more than sufficient. The 
 measure of enough is the satisfying of our wants ; 
 the measure of sufficient depends on what is to be 
 done with it. We may have enough for ourselves, 
 but not sufficient to provide for the wants of others. 
 A man may have lived long enough, as far as he 
 himself is concerned, without having had sufficient 
 time to do all the good he could have wished. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 During the whole of the long winter, this poor family were 
 
 in the greatest want ; they had often scarcely food to 
 
 preserve life, and suffered extremely from the intense cold of 
 the season. 
 
 Many who have for themselves never think of whe- 
 ther others are ly provided for. 
 
 I have seen — to convince me that the affairs of the 
 
 house are very badly managed. 
 
 The dealer told me that twenty-nine yards of that silk were 
 quite to make two dresses. 
 
 As soon as you have heard music, we will adjourn 
 
 to the other apartment. 
 
 I can easily procure for my own wants ; but to pro- 
 vide for the maintenance of a large family is not so 
 
 easy a matter. 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE StNONYMES. 195 
 
 "Without money, I shall not have the means of pro- 
 ceeding on my journey, and shall be obliged to remain at 
 Brussels, until I procure a fresh supply. 
 
 Sure — Certain. 
 
 The word sure is used actively; the svor^ certain, 
 passively. The former is more frequently joined 
 with a verb ; the latter, with a participle. What is 
 to be done may be sure ; but what is already done is 
 certain. The idiom of our language will not allow 
 us to say " He is certain to do something ; " but we 
 may say, " He is sure to do it." W e are sure of 
 what we are convinced will happen ; we are certain 
 of what we are satisfied is true. We are not sure, 
 but certain, of our existence ; we cannot be certain, 
 but may be sure, of what is to happen. Certain has 
 to do with our reason ; sure has to do with our 
 feelings. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 ** If you find nothing new in the matter, I am much 
 
 less will you in the style." 
 
 "Those things are among men, which cannot be 
 
 denied without obstinacy and folly." 
 
 " ^ly, it will be owned, that a wise man, who takes 
 
 upon him to be vigilant for the public weal, should touch 
 proper things at proper times, and not prescribe for a surfeit, 
 when the distemper is a consumption." 
 
 " er to prosper than prosperity 
 
 Could have assured us." 
 
 "It is veiy that a man of sound reason cannot 
 
 O 2 
 
196 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 forbear closing with religion upon an impartial examination 
 of it." 
 
 " What precise collection of simple ideas modesty or fru- 
 gality stands for in another's use, is not ly known." 
 
 " Be silent always when you doubt your sense, 
 
 And speak, though , with seeming diffidence." 
 
 " The youngest in the morning are not , 
 
 That till the night their life they can secure." 
 "When these everlasting doors are thrown open, we maybe 
 ■ that the pleasures and beauties of this place will infi- 
 
 nitely transcend our present hopes and expectations." 
 
 Thankful — Grateful, 
 
 Gratitude is rather the feeling, and thankfulness 
 the expression of the feeling. We may look grate- 
 ful, but we speak our thanks. Thankfulness is 
 uttered; gratitude is sometimes too deep for utter- 
 ance. Gratitude is on the alert to make a return 
 for kindness : thankfulness publishes a kindness. 
 Gratitude is silent, though lasting ; thankfulness is 
 temporary, and is the expression of our gratitude. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The ybuug girl made me a more humble courtesy than a 
 
 low one ; 'twas one of those quiet, sinkings, where the 
 
 spirit bows itself down ; the body does no more than tell it." 
 
 " After we had saluted each other with proper ceremony, 
 
 we aU bent in to that Being who gave us another 
 
 day." 
 
 " He scarcely would give me thanks for what I had done, 
 for fear that might have an introduction of reward." 
 
 " Ik favour, to use men with much difference is good ; for 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 197 
 
 it makes the person preferred more , and the rest more 
 
 officious." 
 
 " The release of pain is the excess of transport. With what 
 
 we feel the first return of health — the first budding 
 
 forth of the new spring that has dawned within us ! " 
 
 " A mind 
 
 By owing, owes not, but still pays, at once 
 Indebted and discharged." 
 
 "He retired, overpowered with his own , and his 
 
 benefactor's respectful compassion." 
 
 Vacant — Empty, 
 
 That which requires something in it is vacant. 
 That which has nothing in it is empty* Vacant is 
 an accidental ; empty, a natural, quality. A space 
 is empty which is merely not filled up ; a space is 
 purposely left vacant which is intended to be filled 
 up. If we rise from our chair, the seat is empty ; if 
 we do not intend to return to it, the seat is vacant. 
 A seat in Parliament becomes vacant by the death 
 of a member. A vacant hour wants filling up ; an 
 empty title has nothing solid in it. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Why should the air so impetuously rush into the cavity of 
 the receiver, if there were before no room to receive it ? " 
 
 " I did never know so full a voice issue from so a 
 
 heart ; but the saying is true, the vessel makes the 
 
 greatest sound." 
 
 " Others, when they admitted that the throne was , 
 
 thought the succession should immediately go to the next heir.' 
 
 *' When you speak, he listens with a eye ; when you 
 
 O 3 
 
198 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 walk, he watches you with a curled lip ; if he dines mth you, 
 he sends away your best hock with a wry face." 
 
 " Cold is the hearth within their bowers. 
 And should we thither roam ; 
 
 Its echoes and its tread 
 
 Would sound like voices from the dead." 
 
 " If you have two vessels to fill, and you one to fill 
 
 the other, you gain nothing by that ; there still remains one 
 
 vessel ." 
 
 " The watch-dog's voice that bayed the whispering wind. 
 
 And the loud laugh that spoke the mind." 
 
 " The pit was ; there was no water in it." 
 
 " The memory relieves the mind in her moments, 
 
 and prevents any chasms of thought, by ideas of what is 
 past." 
 
 Warlike — Martial. 
 
 Warlike qualifies the spirit, and is active in its 
 meaning ; martial qualifies the external appearance, 
 and is used passively. A martial appearance has 
 reference to the **pomp and circumstance" of war; 
 a warlike appearance, to the expression and attitude 
 of warriors. A man who breathes a spirit of hosti- 
 lity has a warlike appearance ; a man in armour, 
 or in military uniform, has a martial appearance. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " But diff*erent far the change has been 
 Since Marmion, from the cro^vn 
 
 Of Blackford, saw that scene 
 
 Upon the bent so brown." 
 " Gifts worthy of soldiers ; the steed, the bloody and 
 
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SYNONYMES. 199 
 
 ever- victorious lance, were the rewards which the champions 
 claimed from the liberality of their chief." 
 
 " Last from the Volscians fair Camilla came, 
 
 And led her troops, a warrior dame." 
 
 " But when our country's cause provokes to arms, 
 
 How music every bosom warms." 
 
 " Let his neck answer for it, if there is any law in 
 
 the world." 
 
 " When a state grows soft and effeminate, they may 
 
 be sure of a war." 
 
 " They proceeded in a kind of justice with enemies, 
 
 offering them their law before they drew their sword." 
 
 " She, using so strange and yet so well-succeeding a temper, 
 
 made her people by peace ." 
 
 " The genius of Napoleon at length wearied even 
 
 the ardour of his soldiers." 
 
 "See 
 
 His thousands, in what equipage 
 
 They issue forth ! " 
 
 *' Old Siward, with ten thousand men, 
 
 All ready at a point, was setting forth." 
 -f » 
 
 Unavoidable — Inevitable, 
 
 These two words, though approximating very 
 closely in signification, do not convey exactly the 
 same meaning. The distinction between them de- 
 pends on the active or passive sense of the words 
 which they qualify. Unavoidable qualifies some 
 measure or step which we cannot help taking ; whereas 
 inevitable respects some fixed law of nature over 
 which no human power can prevail. That is unavoid- 
 able which circumstances will not allow us to escape 
 
 O 4 
 
200 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 from doing ; that is inevitable which our condition, 
 as human beings, will not allow us to escape from 
 suffering, A bankruptcy or a marriage may be 
 unavoidable ; death, fate, and ruin are represented 
 as inevitable. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 His affairs were so deeply involved, that an exposure was 
 become . 
 
 The consequences of extravagance are ruin and 
 
 misery. 
 
 Had not the storm abated, we should have been 
 
 shipwrecked. 
 
 In consequence of the non- arrival of the packet, we were 
 delayed at the custom-house. 
 
 Oppression on one side, and ambition on the other, are the 
 occasions of war. 
 
 The evils to which every man is daUy exposed are . 
 
 This step was , as without it, our ruin was . 
 
 " If our sense of hearing were exalted, we should have no 
 
 quiet or sleep in the most silent night, and we must ly 
 
 be struck deaf, or dead, with a clap of thunder." 
 
 Single acts of transgression will, through weakness and sur- 
 prise, be to the best guarded. 
 
 " The day thou eat'st thereof, my sole command 
 Transgrest, ly thou shalt die." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 201 
 
 SECTION in. 
 
 SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 
 
 In examining the explanations in this section, 
 it will be found that they are all based upon one 
 leading principle, viz. intensity — that is, the differ- 
 ence between the one and the other word will be, 
 that the second expresses a more intensive degree 
 of the first. Here again, the student must be cau- 
 tioned against confounding this principle with 
 grammatical comparison. In grammar, the com- 
 parative is a more intensive form of the same word 
 (the adjective), and is confined to one class of 
 words ; but here, the second word is wholly unlike 
 the first in form, though it expresses a more inten- 
 sive degree in signification. We may refer to 
 this principle the difference between the two 
 verbs to hear and to listen. To hear is a simple 
 act, to listen is an intensive act. "We cannot help 
 hearing, but we listen with intention. The same 
 may be said of to see and to look. It costs us no 
 effort of the sense, to see — it is but " opening the 
 eye, and the scene enters ; " but, in looking, there is 
 an effort, a desire^ an act, in fine, of the mind as well 
 as of the eye, which is not found in the former 
 
202 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 word. This principle operates to a great extent in 
 language, and a very great number of differences 
 are to be explained by its application. Whenever 
 we find a difference of this sort between two terms, 
 they may be ranged under the head of ^^ Synonymes 
 of Intensity,^' 
 
 Act — Action, 
 
 An act is the simple exertion of physical or 
 mental power. An action is a continued exertion 
 of the faculties. An action takes up more time than 
 an act. Many acts may make up an action. We set 
 about doing a kind action, viz. to reconcile two 
 friends. Several acts may be requisite to effect this 
 purpose : e. ^., the act of speaking to both parties ; 
 the act of walking, perhaps, from one to the other, 
 &c. There is this difference between an act of folly 
 and a foolish action ; an act of folly is one in which 
 folly is represented as the impulse ; a foolish action 
 is one which is qualified or specified as such when 
 done. The degree of our merit depends upon our 
 actions, not upon our acts. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He had raised his hand, and was in the of striking 
 
 the prince, when a foot-soldier, perceiving his purpose, rushed' 
 in between the combatants, and received the blow upon his 
 arm. 
 
 For this brave he was handsomely rewarded by 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 203 
 
 is commander, and immediately promoted to the rank of a 
 sergeant. 
 
 Many persons judge wrongly of their neighbours, from not 
 sufficiently considering the motives of their — — . 
 
 He was in the of shaking hands with a neighbour, 
 
 when he was suddenly seized with a fit, and fell back senseless 
 into an arm-chair. 
 
 Our are generally caused by instinct or impulse ; 
 
 . are more frequently the result of thought or deli- 
 beration. 
 
 " I desire that the same rule may be extended to the whole 
 fraternity of the heathen gods ; it being my design to condemn 
 every poem to the flames, in which Jupiter thunders or exer- 
 cises any of authority which does not belong to him." 
 
 " Many of those which are apt to procure fame are 
 
 not in their nature conducive to ultimate happiness." 
 
 Anguish — Agony. 
 
 A struggling against pain is the idea common 
 to both these words. Agony denotes the bodily 
 feeling, whilst anguish regards the state of mind. 
 The throbbing of a wound produces agony ; a 
 mother feels anguish at the idea of being separated 
 from her child. The word agony is used in a 
 secondary sense to express the climax of any state 
 of feeling, as found in the expressions, " an agony 
 of doubt, an agony of suspense," &c., — i. e, the highest 
 possible state of painful doubt or suspense. The 
 anguish of despair ; the agonies of death. 
 
204 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "The sun had now gone down — another day had passed 
 without bringing us relief — several of the party had begun 
 to suffer dreadfully from intense thirst, and two were in the 
 of death." 
 
 The of the father when he heard of the fate of his 
 
 wretched child is to be imagined rather than described ; he 
 fainted immediately on receiving the news, and it was a long 
 time before he recovered his senses. 
 
 The thoughts not only of what he himself was about to 
 suffer, but also of the forlorn condition of his wife and family 
 in the event of his death, filled his mind with and 
 
 They had persecutors, whose invention was as great as their 
 cruelty. Wit and malice conspire to find out such deaths, 
 
 and those of such incredible , that only the manner of 
 
 dying was the punishment, death itself the deliverance. 
 
 He suffered such from the wound in his leg, that 
 
 he could proceed no further on his journey. 
 
 " There is a word in the vocabulary more bitter, more dire- 
 ful in its import, than all the rest. Eeader, if poverty, if dis- 
 grace, if bodily pain be your unhappy fate, kneel and bless 
 Heaven for its beneficent influence, so that you are not tortured 
 with the of remorse." 
 
 Artisan — Artist, 
 
 The word artisan signifies one who exercises a 
 mechanical art ; the word artist is properly applied 
 only to those who practise the fine arts. Carpenters, 
 masons, and shoemakers, are artisans ; poets, musi- 
 cians, and sculptors, are artists. The artisan works 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 205 
 
 by rule and uses his hands ; the artist's occupa- 
 tion requires the exercise of a refined intellect and 
 lively imagination. We shall thus easily distin- 
 guish the sign-painter from the historical painter. 
 In an intellectual scale, the artisan ranks above the 
 labourer, but below the artist. Ingenuity and con- 
 trivance are the qualities of a good artisan ; crea- 
 tive power and refined taste are requisite for a great 
 artist. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " This poor woman's husband, who was an ingenious 
 
 had come up to London in hopes of finding employment ; but 
 having failed in his attempt, had set oiF to return to Scotland, 
 and was on his way back when I fell in with him." 
 
 Dannecker, the sculptor, one of the most celebrated modem 
 
 of Germany, was born at Stuttgard, October the 15th, 
 
 1758. Two of his works, viz. " Mourning Triendship," and 
 the " Ariadne reclining on a Leopard," are distinguished for 
 beauty and expression. 
 
 Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, were the greatest musi(;al 
 the world ever produced. 
 
 The close and densely-populated parts of London are inha- 
 bited chiefly by labourers, journeymen, and , whose 
 
 health is undoubtedly as much impaired by the situations in 
 which they are obliged to reside, as by the circumstances which 
 force them to work so hard for their daily bread. 
 
 " If ever this country saw an age of s, it is the 
 
 present ; her painters, sculptors, and engravers, are now the 
 only schools properly so called." 
 
 "The merchant, tradesman, and will have their 
 
 profit upon all the multiplied wants, comforts, and indulgences 
 of civilized life. " 
 
206 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Compunction — Remorse, 
 
 These words express degrees of repentance. Com' 
 function signifies a pricking of the conscience. 
 Bemorse is an intensive compunction. Remorse 
 denotes a gnashing or biting. The former is ex- 
 pressive of the sorrow caused by minor offences ; 
 the latter conveys an idea of the excessive pain 
 the soul feels at the sense of its crimes, and is 
 analogous to the feeling of bodily pain expressed 
 by grinding or gnashing the teeth. Compunction 
 is felt for sin ; remorse for enormous crimes. A miser 
 may feel compunction for his injustice ; a murderer 
 is agitated by remorse. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 All his peace of mind was now destroyed by the 
 
 he felt for the crimes of his early life ; the images of his victims 
 haunted him in his dreams, and in his waking hours he looked 
 upon every stranger as an assassin. 
 
 " Stop up th' access and passage to , 
 
 That no visitings of conscience 
 
 Shake my fell purpose." 
 
 He began at length to feel some for the harshness 
 
 with which he had treated his brother, and wrote him an afFec- 
 tionate letter, in which he begged his forgiveness, and entreated 
 that they should renew their former harmony. 
 
 This outcast of society pursued his wicked machinations 
 
 without cessation ; he felt no for the injustice he was 
 
 practising on the desolate widow and helpless orphan ; »all fell 
 aUke into his meshes, and as long as his coifers were filled, it 
 signified nothing to him that it was at the expense of the sighs 
 and tears of thousands. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 207 
 
 *«A11 men, even the most depraved, are subject, more or 
 
 less, to • s of conscience." 
 
 " The heart 
 
 Pierced with a sharp for guilt, disclaims 
 
 The costly poverty of hecatombs, 
 And offers the best sacrifice, itself." 
 
 Diligence — Industry, 
 
 Diligence signifies the attention we pay to any 
 particular object, because we prefer it to others. 
 Industry is the quality of laying up for ourselves a 
 store, either of knowledge or worldly goods. Dili- 
 gence produces industry ; it is applied to one object; 
 industry to many. To collect accurate information, 
 evidence^ &c., from various sources, we must be 
 industrious. To become well-informed upon one 
 subject, we must be diligent. The quality of dili- 
 gence is not applied to animals. The bee and ant, 
 however, are said to be industrious, because their 
 instinct prompts them to lay up a store. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He was so , that before he was twelve years old, he 
 
 was much better informed on many subjects than most boys of 
 his age. 
 
 My cousin studied with such , that he soon made 
 
 himself master of the language. 
 
 Without , it is impossible to make a satisfactory 
 
 progress in any branch of learning. 
 
 He immediately applied himself with great to every 
 
 department of knowledge which was connected, however re- 
 motely, with the duties of his office. 
 
208 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 is a striking characteristic of all classes of the popu- 
 
 lation in China. 
 
 " Distress and difficulty are known to operate in private life 
 as the spurs of ." 
 
 If you inquire not attentively and — — ly, you wiU never 
 be able to discern a number of mechanical motions. 
 
 " It has been observed by writers on morality, that, in order 
 
 to quicken human , Providence has so contrived that 
 
 our daily food is not to be procured without much pains and 
 labour." 
 
 Discernment — Penetration, 
 
 Bj discernment we obtain a knowledge of the real 
 worth of persons or things. By penetration we 
 discover the existence of what is concealed. Dis- 
 cernment is the quality of a clear, sensible under- 
 standing ; penetration, of an acute intellect. We 
 exercise discernment in forming a just estimate of 
 character; we exercise penetration in discovering 
 the plots of the designing. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He struggled long and hard against the difficulties of fortune, 
 
 and had it not been for the • of a casual acquaintance, 
 
 who saw his merit, and introduced him to pubhc patronage, he 
 would probably have languished, and died in obscurity. 
 
 There were now as many as four deeply -laid plots against 
 
 his life, and without his amazing , which discovered 
 
 and frustrated all these designs, he must have soon fallen a 
 victim to one or the other of them. 
 
 It is the property of a mind to discover hidden truths, 
 
 and expose perversions. A judgment is perhaps more 
 
SYNGNYMES OP INTENSITY. 209 
 
 practically useful than , as it is more frequently re- 
 quired in the common affairs of life. 
 
 "He is as slow to decide as he is quick to apprehend, 
 calmly and deliberately weighing every opposite reason that is 
 offered, and tracing it with a most judicious ." 
 
 Of these two quahties, argues a higher power of 
 
 intellect than . The latter is indispensable to every sta- 
 tion in life, but the former is more necessary for those who 
 are placed in high offices, and to whom the destinies of men 
 are entrusted. 
 
 " Cool age advances venerably wise. 
 Turns on all hands its deep, eyes." 
 
 Intention — Purpose, 
 
 An intention is a leaning towards an action. A 
 purpose is that v^rhich is laid down or proposed to be 
 done. Intentions are more remote ; purposes, more 
 immediate. What we purpose to do, we set about 
 at once ; what we intend to do, circumstances may 
 oblige us to delay. Purposes are generally exe- 
 cuted ; intentions may be postponed. An intention 
 is weaker than a purpose. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 He determined to set out immediately for Paris ; and with 
 
 this , proceeded without delay to the office to procure 
 
 his passport, and made all the necessary preparations for his 
 journey. 
 
 As soon as you have settled upon what course you will 
 pursue, you will let me know your , as my move- 
 ments will depend in a great measure upon your determi- 
 nation. 
 
 P 
 
210 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 My at present is to spend next winter at Naples, 
 
 and to return to England in the following spring. 
 
 If you pay no attention to the subject you are reading, you 
 will read, as many do, to no . 
 
 After spending this evening with some friends, I 
 
 starting to-morrow for Lausanne, where I hope to arrive on 
 the 13th. 
 
 His character was not remarkable for firmness, and though 
 
 every one gave him credit for the best — r, no class of 
 
 people ever received much benefit from his measures. 
 
 The of my inquiry is to discover the real character of 
 
 this man, that I ma}^ ascertain whether he is a fit candidate for 
 the ofiice. 
 
 " I wish others the same , and greater success." 
 
 " The common material with which the ancients made their 
 ships was the ornus or wild-ash ; the fir was likewise used for 
 this ." 
 
 Moment — Instant 
 
 An instant is the smallest conceivable point of 
 time. A moment may be said to be one degree 
 longer than an instant. An instant is, etymologi- 
 cally, the point of time which stands over an act, or 
 which exists simultaneously with it. A moment is 
 a moving (however small) of time. We can con- 
 ceive of a beginning and an end to a moment. The 
 parts of an instant are inconceivable. Strictly 
 speaking, both terms are hyperbolical, though they 
 are both commonly used to denote a very small 
 space of time. Properly, however, the instant is 
 the point, and moment the duration of time. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 211 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The touch paper being applied to the train, the spark 
 
 communicated in an to the powder, and a few seconds 
 
 after, the whole rock fell crashing to the ground. 
 
 The the horseman saw the mischief he had done, he 
 
 was off his hors6, and assisting the poor woman to rise, he 
 led her into a cottage by the road-side, where he saw that 
 she w^as properly attended to before he proceeded on his 
 journey. 
 
 I watched the vessel from the summit of the cliff depart 
 from that shore to which she was never again to return. Her 
 shadow now grew more and more dim upon the waters ; for a 
 
 few — I lost sight of her altogether — then I saw her 
 
 again as I thought, more distinctly than before, till at length 
 she disappeared entirely from my view. 
 
 The Arab, foaming with rage, grappled with his opponent, 
 
 and in an plunging his dagger into his heart, struck 
 
 him to the ground. 
 
 If you will wait here a ^ — , I will come to you. 
 
 " Some circumstances of misery are so powerfully ridi- 
 culous, that neither kindness nor duty can withstand them ; 
 they force the friend, the dependant, or the child, to give way 
 to emotions of merriment." 
 
 " I can easily overlook any present sorrow, when I 
 
 reflect that it is in my power to be happy a thousand years 
 hence." 
 
 Need — Necessity, 
 
 Need is exigent and pressing ; necessity is stern 
 
 and unyielding. Necessity demands ; need requires. 
 
 Those who are in necessity are in the lowest degree 
 
 of poverty, and have no means of supplying their 
 
 p 2 
 
212 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 commonest wants ; those who are in need are in a 
 temporary difficulty, from which a moderate help 
 will relieve them. Necessity forces us to act for 
 ourselves ; in our need, we require the assistance of 
 our friends. We may manage to do without what 
 is needful, but what is necessary cannot be dispensed 
 with. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 If the old saying — " A friend in is a friend indeed " 
 
 — be true, how much more valuable must be a friend in 
 
 f 
 
 I find that I shall be able to manage the business perfectly 
 
 well by myself, and shall stand in no of assistance from 
 
 any one. 
 
 The maxim " has no law" is one of the most 
 
 ancient in existence, and is quoted or alluded to by almost all 
 the writers of antiquity. 
 
 We should be always ready to assist our fellow-creatures in 
 time of their . 
 
 It is our duty, as far as lies in our power, to relieve the 
 • of those who are in distress. 
 
 We found the poor people in a state of the most horrible 
 destitution ; they had been obliged to part with every piece 
 of furniture they possessed to purchase food, and to complete 
 
 their misery, in the midst of their , several of them were 
 
 attacked with a malignant fever ! 
 
 " The cause of all the distractions in his court or army 
 
 proceeded from the extreme poverty and his majesty 
 
 was in." 
 
 " One of the many advantages of friendship is, that wc 
 
 can say to our friend the things that stand in of 
 
 pardon." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 213 
 
 Obstruction — Obstacle. 
 
 Both these words are expressive of what inter- 
 feres with our progress. The difference between 
 them is, that an obstruction hinders our proceeding 
 as fast as we wish ; whereas an obstacle effectually 
 prevents our advancing. An obstacle, is something 
 standing before us ; an obstruction is something 
 thrown in our way. We stumble at an obstruction ; 
 we are stopped by an obstacle. Hence, an obstacle is 
 a more serious matter than an obstruction. A heavy, 
 wet road is an obstruction to the wheels of a car- 
 riage. A gate placed across a road is an obstacle to 
 the progress of a carriage. Metaphorically, the same 
 distinction exists. Obstructions are removed; obsta- 
 cles are surmounted. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The river being now clear of all , the two sailing- 
 vessels started at eleven o'clock, and were expected to return 
 from the Nore the same night. 
 
 The Duke of Gloucester, who allowed nothing to stand in 
 the way of his designs, procured the death of the young 
 princes, his nephews, as well as of all those whose influence 
 or example presented any to his ambition. 
 
 Self-conceit is one of the greatest to our improvement. 
 
 The pertinacity with which the Saxons clung to their own 
 customs and language seemed to increase with the cruel poKcy 
 of their haughty conqueror, and was for a long time an effectual 
 to his desires. 
 
 The opposition, during this session, was more violent than 
 
 ever, and every conceivable was thrown in the way of 
 
 the government. 
 
 " One must have stood not a little in the way of 
 
 P 3 
 
214 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 that preferment after which Young seems to have panted. 
 Though he took orders, he never entirely shook off politics." 
 " In his winter quarters, the king expected to meet with all 
 
 the and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his 
 
 way." 
 
 Pertinacity — Ohstinacy, 
 
 Pertinacity is but an intensive degree of tenacity, 
 which expresses the quality of holding-to. Obstinacy 
 is holding to a purpose when violently opposed. 
 People cling to what they consider their natural 
 rights with pertinacity ; but if an attempt be made 
 to deprive them of those rights, they defend them 
 with obstinacy. The word obstinacy contains the 
 idea of opposition. We speak of an obstinate dis- 
 pute, defence, &c. We are pertinacious in main- 
 taining opinions ; we are obstinate in maintaining 
 prejudices. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 He was extremely tenacious of his o^vn opinions, and de- 
 fended them on all occasions with the most determined 
 
 , though his arguments never carried conviction to the 
 
 minds of any who heard them. 
 
 " One of the dissenters appeared to Dr. Sanderson to be so 
 bold, so troublesome, and illogical in the dispute, as forced 
 him to say, that he had never met a man of more con- 
 fidence, and less abilities." 
 
 is never convinced of its own integrity ; it resists 
 
 reason, and opposes common sense ; has to do with 
 
 our feelings, prejudices, national character, &c. : in the latter 
 there is an amiable weakness ; in the former, a self-sufficient 
 pride. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 215 
 
 " Most writers use their words loosely and uncertainly, and 
 do not make plain and clear deductions of words from one 
 another, which it were not difficult to do, did they not find it 
 
 convenient to shelter their ignorance or under the 
 
 obscurity of their terms." 
 
 This controversy was distinguished by the violence with 
 which it was conducted on both sides ; for nothing could 
 exceed the which the two parties exhibited in main- 
 taining their opinions, unless it was the malignity with which 
 they denounced those of their opponents. 
 
 " In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if 
 maintained with , a capital error." 
 
 Persuasion — Conviction. 
 
 In order to persuade, we address the feelings and 
 the imagination. In order to convince, we address 
 the reasoning faculty. The tinsel and glitter of 
 rhetoric persuade ; the sound arguments of the rea- 
 soner convince. After persuasion, a doubt may- 
 remain in the mind ; but we have a positive cer- 
 tainty of what we are convinced of. A conviction 
 implies firm belief. We may have misgivings con- 
 cerning the truth of what we are persuaded to believe. 
 Persuasion is liable to change. Conviction is firm 
 and lasting. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " When men have settled in themselves a that there 
 
 is nothing honourable which is not accompanied with inno- 
 cence ; nothing mean but what has guilt in it ; riches, plea- 
 sures, and honors will easily lose their charms, if they stand 
 between us and our integrity." 
 
 P 4 
 
216 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " Let the mind be possessed with the of immortal 
 
 happiness annexed to the act, and there will be no want of 
 candidates to struggle for the glorious prerogative." 
 
 " I should be glad if I could him to write such an- 
 other critique on anything of mine ; for when he condemns any 
 of my poems, he makes the world have a better opinion of 
 them." 
 
 " That which I have been all this while endeavouring to 
 
 men of, and to them to, is no other than what 
 
 God himself doth particularly recommend to us as proper for 
 human consideration." 
 
 " Philoclea's beauty not only , but so as all 
 
 hearts must yield ; Pamela's beauty used violence, and such 
 as no heart could resist." 
 
 "How incongruous would it be for a mathematician to 
 
 — with eloquence, to use all imaginable insinuations and 
 
 entreaties that he might prevail with his hearers to believe 
 that three and three make six ! " 
 
 " History is all the light we have in many cases, and we 
 receive from it a great part of the useful truths we have, with 
 a — evidence." 
 
 Pleasure — Happiness. 
 
 Pleasure is a temporary gratification. Happi- 
 ness is a continued state of enjoyment. We are 
 happy in the exercise of our faculties ; we are 
 pleased with whatever is agreeable to our percep- 
 tions. Pleasure is derived through the senses. "We 
 feel pleasure from what we eat or drink, see or hear. 
 Happiness is an inward feeling, and is derived from 
 consciousness. The beauty of a landscape, the sound 
 of music, the fragrance of flowers, give us pleasure; 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. [217 
 
 the consciousness of our power to enjoy these plea- 
 sures makes us happy. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Having inspected the whole establishment, and partaken of 
 some refreshment which had been prepared for him, he de- 
 parted, expressing great — at every thing he had seen. 
 
 Wealth, though it assists our , cannot procure us 
 
 A consciousness of our integrity is a never- faihng source of 
 
 does not consist in the of sense, in whatever 
 
 profusion or variety they be enjoyed. 
 
 When we are in perfect health and spirits, we feel in our- 
 selves a independent of any particular outward grati- 
 fication whatever, and of which we can give no account. 
 
 In strictness, any condition may be denominated , in 
 
 which the amount of exceeds that of pain ; and the de- 
 gree of depends upon the quantity of this excess. 
 
 There is hardly any delusion by which men are greater suf- 
 ferers in their , than by expecting too much from what 
 
 is called . 
 
 " That every day has its pains and sorrows, is universally 
 experienced ; but if we look impartially about us, we shall 
 find that every day has likewise its and its joys." 
 
 " The various and contrary choices that men make in the 
 world argue that the same thing is not good to every man 
 alike ; this variety of pursuits shews that every one does not 
 place . in the same thing." 
 
 Plenty — Abundance, 
 
 Plenty denotes fulness. Abundance signifies an 
 overflowing. Abundance is more than we want; 
 
218 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 plenty is quite as much as we require. In abun- 
 dance there is superfluity ; in plenty there is satis- 
 faction. From an abundance we can lay by ; from 
 plenty we have a full sufficiency. By the best 
 writers, plenty is more frequently used in a pri- 
 mary sense ; abundance, in a secondary signification. 
 Plenty of corn, meat, wine, &c. ; an abundance of 
 blessings, wealth, riches, &c. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Those people of quality who cannot easily bear the ex- 
 pense of Vienna, choose to reside here (at Prague), where they 
 have assemblies, music, and other diversions, those of a court 
 excepted, at very moderate rates, all things being here in great 
 , especially the best wild-fowl I ever tasted." 
 
 Last year, the harvest was so , that it was estimated 
 
 we had enough corn to last the whole nation for more than 
 three years. 
 
 *' Ye shall eat in , and be satisfied, and praise the 
 
 Lord." 
 
 " The resty knaves are overrun with ease. 
 As ever is the nurse of faction." 
 
 " Berne is '[y furnished with waters, there being a 
 
 great multitude of fountains. 
 
 "And God said, let the waters generate, 
 Reptile with spawn , living soul." 
 
 The banquet was furnished with every delicacy which could 
 
 be procured ; there was of meats and sauces of all 
 
 kinds, and no want of any thing which the most refined taste 
 could desire. 
 
 The charity children were regaled with roast beef and plum- 
 pudding on the occasion. They all had to eat and 
 
 drink, and went home in the evening, highly delighted with the 
 festivities of the day. 
 
STNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 219 
 
 Riot — Tumult, 
 A riot arises out of a quarrel in which many are 
 concerned. A tumult is a general riot. There are 
 more persons engaged in a tumult than in a riot. 
 There may be many riots at the same time, but there 
 can be but one tumult (in the same place). Eiots 
 may lead to a tumult. A riot takes place in a street 
 or court; the whole city is engaged in a tumult. A 
 riot affects the local peace ; a tumult destroys the 
 peace and order of the whole community. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 having broken out in several parts of the town, 
 
 it was judged necessary to send for the assistance of the mi- 
 litary. 
 
 A body of horse soldiers were immediately ordered from the 
 adjoining barracks, but when they arrived, they found the 
 whole city in a . 
 
 In the midst of this , Tiberius Gracchus, having 
 
 fallen over a dead body that lay in the way, was killed, on at- 
 tempting to rise, by a ^dolent blow on the head. 
 
 On many occasions when bread has been dear, or trade 
 and manufactures depressed, have taken place in va- 
 rious parts of England. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the exertions of the magistrates, who 
 acted with singular moderation upon this occasion, it was 
 
 found impossible to quell the , which had now extended 
 
 itself all over the country, and threatened the state itself with 
 destruction. 
 
 The people, who considered themselves grievously injured 
 by this decree, met in large bodies, and on one or two occa- 
 sions behaved in such an unruly manner, that it was found 
 necessary to read the Act. 
 
 "The ous assembling of twelve persons or more, 
 
220 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 and not dispersing upon proclamation, was first made high 
 treason by statute." 
 
 " In this piece of poetry, what can be nobler than the idea 
 
 he gives us of the Supreme Being thus raising a among 
 
 the* elements, and recovering them out of their confusion ; 
 thus troubling and becalming nature ? " 
 
 Servant — Slave, 
 
 The servant serves according to compact. The 
 slave serves upon compulsion. The servant under- 
 takes to do that for which he shall be remunerated. 
 The slave is no party to his own service ; his master 
 has unlimited power over him. The servant may 
 cancel his agreement, and seek another master. The 
 slave is deprived of all liberty. Slaves are oppressed ; 
 in this country, servants are generally w^ell treated ; 
 if not, they are at liberty to change their master. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The condition of was formerly different from what 
 
 it is now, they being generally , and such as were 
 
 bought and sold for money." 
 
 " This subjection, due from all men to all men, is something 
 more than the compliment of course, when our betters tell us 
 they are our humble , but understand us to be their 
 
 " When once men are immersed in sensual things, and are 
 
 become to their passions, then are they most disposed 
 
 to doubt the existence of God." 
 
 " I had rather be a country maid. 
 
 Than a great queen with this condition." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 221 
 
 Jeanne d'Arc was a maid at an hotel in the small 
 
 hamlet of Domremy, in Champagne. 
 
 The British government have exerted themselves strenu- 
 ously to put down the inhuman traffic in . 
 
 Every station in life has its proper duties ; master and 
 
 , teacher and scholar, father and son, &c. &c. 
 
 " For master or for ■ here to call, 
 
 Was all alike when only two were all." 
 An immense sum of money was some years ago paid by the 
 British government to the West India planters, by way of in- 
 demnification for the emancipation of their . 
 
 « to our passions we become, and then, 
 
 It grows impossible to govern men." 
 
 Slander — Calumny. 
 
 These words both denote the taking away of our 
 neighbour's character. Slander differs from calumny 
 in this, that in slanderi?ig, we spread abroad an evil 
 report which has reached our ears ; but in calumnia- 
 ting, we ourselves both forge and propagate a false 
 character. Hence the calumniator is more de- 
 spicable than the slanderer ; for the latter, with the 
 intention of injuring, is heedless of the truth of the 
 report he spreads ; whereas the former both fabri- 
 cates it and spreads it abroad. The falsehood ori- 
 ginates with the calumniator, and is disseminated 
 by the slanderer. 
 
 JExercise. 
 
 Heedless alike of his own reputation, or of the peace of mind 
 of others, he took every opportunity to spread the , and 
 
222 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 before he could reflect upon the consequences, the injury he 
 had occasioned was irreparable. 
 
 The accused man suddenly rose ; the strongest indignation 
 burned in his countenance ; he solemnly protested his igno- 
 rance of the whole transaction, and consequent innocence of 
 the charge, concluding by declaring it to be his firm conviction 
 
 that the whole accusation was a vile and abominable , 
 
 invented for the mere purpose of blasting his character. 
 
 Be slow to believe evil of others ; so shalt thou shut thine 
 ear to • , and live charitably with all men. 
 
 " The way to silence , says Bias, is to be always 
 
 exercised in such things as are praiseworthy." 
 
 " Give me leave to speak as earnestly in truly commending 
 it, as you have done in untmly and unkindly defacing and 
 
 it." 
 
 " , that worst of poisons, ever finds 
 
 An easy entrance to ignoble minds." 
 
 Temperance — Abstinence. 
 
 Temperance is the power of enjoying with 
 moderation. Ahstine?7ce{s the power of refraining. 
 We are temperate ip our use of what is good for us ; 
 we abstain from what is injurious to our health. 
 Temperance requires wisdom ; abstinence demands 
 self-denial. We are temperate in food, language, 
 expression, manners, &c. ; we abstain from high- 
 seasoned dishes, spirituous liquors, &c. Abstinence 
 is opposed to the use of a thing ; temperance, to its 
 abuse. It is a question whether there is not more 
 merit in exercising temperance than in the practice 
 of abstinence, since it argues a greater strength of 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 223 
 
 mind to use a gift moderatelj, than to refrain from 
 it altogether. We may abstain through fear or 
 necessity ; to be temperate, we must have a well- 
 regulated mind. 
 
 Exercise. 
 The moral code of all philosophers strictly enjoins as 
 
 the hest preservative both of bodily and mental health. 
 
 from wine and pork was commanded to the followers 
 
 of Mohammed. 
 
 The of the lower orders is a safe criterion of the 
 
 general morals of a nation. 
 
 The Christian system enjoins from those pleasm-es 
 
 which have a tendency to degrade our nature. 
 
 The physician ordered his patient to be very in his 
 
 food, and to • altogether from ardent spmts, wine, salt 
 
 meats, &c. 
 
 " To set the mind above the appetites is the end of , 
 
 which one of the fathers observes to be not a virtue, but the 
 groundwork of virtue." 
 
 " Make thy companion, so shall health sit on thy 
 
 brow." 
 
 "I advised him to be in eating and drinking." 
 
 " Keligious men, who hither must be sent. 
 As awful guides of heavenly government ; 
 
 To teach you penance, fasts, and , 
 
 To punish bodies for the soul's offence." 
 
 Vicinity — Neighbourhood, 
 
 These words differ in degree. Vicinitij does not 
 express so close a connection as neighbourhood. A 
 neighbourhood is a more immediate vicinity. The 
 
224 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 streets immediately adjoining a square are in the 
 neighbourhood of that square. The streets a little 
 farther removed are in the vicinity of that square. 
 Harapstead and Highgate are in the vicinity, not in 
 the neighbourhood, of London. Where houses are 
 not built together in masses, there can be no neigh- 
 bourhood. In the country, gentlemen's seats are 
 often in the vicinity of a town or village. In 
 London, every square, street, and alley has its 
 neighbourhood. The word neighbourhood is also 
 used for the inhabitants, taken collectively, who 
 live near, as well as the place near. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " We had an elegant house, situated in a fine country and a 
 
 good ." 
 
 " The Dutch, by the of their settlements to the coast 
 
 of the Caraccas, gradually engrossed the greatest part of the 
 cocoa trade." 
 
 " Though the soul be not actually debauched, yet it is some- 
 thing to be in the of destruction." 
 
 "A man in the , mortally sick of the small-pox, 
 
 desired the doctor to come to him." 
 
 " The reader has had a sketch of the interior of the Alham- 
 
 bra, and may be desirous of a general idea of its ■ ." 
 
 " I could not bear 
 To leave thee in the of death." 
 
 When the house was discovered to be on fire, every one in 
 
 the hastened to give assistance ; and the whole village 
 
 was crowded in a few minutes with vehicles of every sort, con- 
 taining tubs, pails, buckets, &c. filled with water. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 225 
 
 Wood — Forest, 
 ^ A forest is a large and uncultivated tract of ground 
 covered with trees. A wood'i^ a smaller assemblage 
 of trees. A forest is the resort of wild beasts. A 
 wood is the haunt of smaller animals. Lions, bears, 
 wild boars, &c. live in forests; hares, rabbits, squir- 
 rels, &c. in woods. Wood is derived from the 
 Saxon icod ; forest, from the low Latin foresta. 
 The forest is characterized by its uncertain extent 
 and wildness of growth; the wood, by thickness 
 of growth. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " By many tribulations we enter into the kingdom of heaven, 
 
 because, in a of many wolves, sheep pannot choose but 
 
 feed in continual danger of life." 
 
 I counted yesterday afternoon more than sixty hares in 
 the field below the lake, and, on clapping my hands, they all 
 
 scampered into the adjoining , and disappeared in a 
 
 moment. 
 
 The lively fancy of the ancient Greeks peopled all creation 
 with imaginary beings ; every fountain had its goddess, every 
 its nymph, and every cave its divinity. 
 
 A lion, being fatigued with hunting, lay down to repose 
 under one of the wide-spreading trees of the . 
 
 WilKam the Conqueror laid waste a tract of thirty square 
 leagues in Hampshire, burning villages, cottages, and churches, 
 
 and expeUing the inhabitants, to form the New , as it is 
 
 stiU called. 
 
 " The • born people fall before her flat. 
 
 And worship her as goddess of the ." 
 
 There is a small in the vicinity of the town, whither 
 
 the inhabitants repair to enjoy themselves on holidays. 
 Q 
 
226 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To alter — to change. 
 
 To alter is to make some difference in a thing or 
 person ; to change is to substitute one thing for 
 another. Those persons are altered whom we have 
 difficulty in recognising; those persons are changed 
 whose features we cannot recognise after a lapse of 
 time. To alter a dress is to make it in some 
 respect different ; to change a dress is to take one 
 off and put another on. AVe alter . our opinions 
 when they become no longer in every respect the 
 same as formerly ; we change our opinions when 
 we give up old and adopt new ones. Changes are 
 intensive alterations. Alterations regard the part ; 
 changes, the whole. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Fourteen years had passed since I had left my native vil- 
 lage, and I had in that time visited almost every part of the 
 globe. It was then not without reason that I could hardly 
 believe I was again in the place of my birth. Time had 
 
 worked so many , and the appearance of those I knew 
 
 intimately when I went away was so , that I felt quite 
 
 hke a stranger. 
 
 This sudden accession of fortune did not appeal' to affect 
 
 him in any way ; he made no in his style of living, 
 
 received his friends in the same cordial but frugal manner as 
 formerly, and did not increase his expenses in any particular. 
 
 I found upon inquiry that the house had owners 
 
 since I had last visited the spot. I was a httle depressed by 
 this intelligence, but soon recovering my spirits, I knocked at 
 the door, and finding that the family were absent, begged to 
 be permitted to see the house and grounds. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 227 
 
 Every thing stood as it was in the old time, and there was 
 
 nothing either in the grounds or house. 
 
 "How strangely are the opinions of men by a 
 
 in their condition !" 
 
 " They who beyond sea go will sadly find 
 They their climate only, not thek mind." 
 
 To be — to exist 
 
 The verb to be is used to connect what is declared 
 of a subject with the subject itself. 
 
 The verb to exist is never used with the qualities 
 of things ; it simply points to the existence of the 
 things themselves. Thus ; Man is an animal ; 
 children are inexperienced ; the soul exists ; the 
 soul is immortal. Friendship exists ; friendship is 
 a solace in adversity. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " It is as easy to conceive that an Almighty Power might 
 
 produce a thing out of nothing, and make that to which 
 
 did not before ; as to conceive the world to have had 
 
 no beginning, but to have from eternity." 
 
 " To say a man has a clear idea of quantity without knowing 
 
 how great it — , to say he has the clear idea of 
 
 the number of the sands, who knows not how many they 
 
 " When the soul is freed from all corporeal alliance, then 
 it truly ," 
 
 " Herein • the exact difference between the young and 
 
 the old. The young not happy but when enjoying 
 
 pleasure ; the old happy when free from pain." 
 
 Q 2 
 
228 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 " Man • man, and will man under all circum- 
 stances and changes of life ; lie under every known 
 
 climate and variety of heat or cold in the atmosphere." 
 
 It is difficult to conceive how these poor men could have 
 so long in such dreadful extremities. 
 
 " Henry, called of Winchester, the place of his birth, — — 
 but ten years of age when his father died." 
 
 The Pyrrhonians were a sect of Greek philosophers who 
 doubted the of every thing. 
 
 To confuse — to confound. 
 Things become confounded in consequence of being 
 confused. To confuse does not express so high a 
 degree of disorder as to confound. One who is 
 confused still retains his senses to a certain degree ; 
 his mind is only thrown into disorder. He who is 
 confounded is in the highest state of stupefaction, 
 and no longer knows what he is doing. A criminal 
 is confounded at the discovery of his guilt; liars are 
 confused when suspected. Impudence confounds ; 
 severity confuses. The confusion of tongues at 
 Babel confounded the multitude. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 "We may have a clear and distinct idea of the existence of 
 many things, though our ideas of their intimate essences are 
 very and obscure." 
 
 " Ignorance is the darkener of man's life, the disturber of his 
 reason, and the common er of truth." 
 
 A report of an accident on one of the French rail- 
 ways has just reached town. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 229 
 
 " They who strip not ideas from the marks men use for 
 
 them, but them with words, must have endless 
 
 disputes." 
 
 He was so at the sudden appearance of his master, 
 
 that he was unable to utter a word. 
 
 " The generality of writers are apt to words with 
 
 one another, and to employ them with promiscuous careless- 
 ness, merely for the sake of filling up a period, or of diversi- 
 fying the language." 
 
 " He has so much to do, and his head is become so • 
 
 that it is not surprising his affairs are falling into disorder." 
 " I to the tempest make the poles resound, 
 And the conflicting elements ." 
 
 " A report passed through my ears ; 
 
 But full of hurry, like a morning dream, 
 It vanished, in the business of the day." 
 
 To deprive — to bereave. 
 
 To bereave is a stronger term than to deprive : 
 there is an idea of violence expressed in the former 
 which the latter does not contain. t)eprive merely 
 points to what we once had, but have no longer. 
 We are deprived of comforts, of pleasures ; we are 
 bereft of what we feel necessary to our existence, or 
 of what there is no possibility of our regaining. 
 Bereaving not only takes away from us, but also 
 violently affects our inclination. Death bereaves us 
 of our children ; an accident bereaves us of a limb. 
 What we are deprived of may be restored to us ; 
 what we are bereft of never returns. 
 
 Q 3 
 
230 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " To us of metals, is to make us mere savages ; 
 
 it is to us of all arts and sciences, of history and 
 
 letters, nay, of revealed religion too, that inestimable favor of 
 Heaven." 
 
 In prison, and • , by the cruelty of the tyrant, of the 
 
 consolations of friendship, he endured many bitter reflections. 
 " That when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet, 
 Thou mayst him of his wits with wonder." 
 
 His mother determined, from that day forth, to her 
 
 son of all pleasure and indulgence, till he should shew by 
 his conduct that he was really sorry for what he had done. 
 
 Mr. * * was of his excellent wife and two lovely 
 
 children by the same illness. 
 
 I shall be sorry to be of your society ; but as I know 
 
 it is for your advantage, I shall endeavour to bear the loss 
 with fortitude. 
 
 To disperse — to dispel. 
 The latter of these two verbs expresses an inten- 
 sive degree of the former. To disperse is to scatter 
 abroad ; to dispel is to drive away. What is dis- 
 persed no longer exists in the same form as before ; 
 what is dispelled no longer exists in any form. An 
 enemy is dispersed ; darkness is dispelled. To dispel 
 is used in both a primary and secondary sense ; to 
 disperse, more frequently in a primary. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " When the spirit brings light into our minds, it 
 
 darkness : we see it as we do that of the sun at noon, and need 
 not the twilight of reason to shew it." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 231 
 
 " And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were 
 
 through the countries." 
 
 " Hail, universal Lord ! he hounteous still, 
 To give us only good ; and if the night 
 Have gathered aught of evil, or concealed, 
 
 it, as now light the dark. " 
 
 " As when a western whirlwind, charged with storms, 
 
 the gathering clouds that nature forms. 
 
 The foe , their hravest warriors killed. 
 
 Fierce as a whirlwind now I swept the field." 
 Notwithstanding the most strenuous exertions which indi- 
 viduals may make to the ignorance and raise the moral 
 
 tone of the lower orders, little good will be effected without 
 the cordial co-operation of the government. 
 
 On the death of the late duke, his extensive library was sold 
 
 by public auction, and the books were thus over all 
 
 parts of the country. 
 
 To enlarge — to increase. 
 The verb to enlarge^ taken either in a moral or 
 physical sense, is applied to extent of surface ; to 
 increase is used with reference to bulk, number, or 
 quantity. A field is enlarged when, by the removal 
 of its boundary, it is made to contain a greater 
 extent of ground. In like manner, a man's mind is 
 enlarged when, by reading, reflection, or conversa- 
 tion, he has acquired the power of seeing more of 
 the extent of whatever may be the object of his at- 
 tention. A balloon, during the process of inflation, 
 becomes increased in size, and enlarged in extent : 
 increased, so far as it occupies more space ; and 
 Q 4 
 
232 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 enlarged, as it presents more surface to the eye of 
 the spectator. Riches, wisdom, appetite, &c. are 
 increased ; views, prospects, premises, &c. are 
 enlarged. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 ITie revenue of the country has greatly during the 
 
 last five years. 
 
 Frederic the Great, of Prussia, considerably his ter- 
 ritories by the addition of Silesia. 
 
 From the time of Hugh Capet, the royal domain (as distin- 
 guished from the domains of the great feudal lords) was pro- 
 gressively by the conquest, forfeiture, or inheritance of 
 
 the greater fiefs. 
 
 The French noblesse was exceedingly numerous; for not 
 only all the children of a noble belonged to the class of their 
 
 father, but that class was continually by the creation 
 
 of new nobles. 
 
 The estimation in which he was held was manifested 
 
 in his successive appointments to various offices. .- 
 
 *' Then as her strength with years , began 
 
 To pierce aloft in air the soaring swan." 
 
 " Where there is something both lasting and scarce, and so 
 
 valuable to be hoarded up, there men will not be apt to 
 
 their possessions of land." 
 
 To estimate — to esteem. 
 
 We estimate a man according as we judge of his 
 worth ; we esteem him for his moral qualities. To 
 esteem is always used in a good sense ; to estimate, 
 in either a good or bad, indifferently. We set a 
 high value upon those we esteem. It is possible 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 233 
 
 that we estimate too highly those whom we esteem. 
 There are degrees of estimation. Esteem is in 
 itself a high degree of appreciation. What is good 
 . is esteemed. That which is imperfectly known, or 
 which is a mixture of good and bad, is estimated. 
 " He esteemed his friend," means that he highly 
 valued his character. '* He estimated his worth," 
 means that he calculated it according to his own 
 standard. Men are esteemed ; men and things are 
 estimated. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 His kindness and gentleness of manner, and his strict inte- 
 grity in all his dealings, have gained him the and love 
 
 of all his fellow-countrymen. 
 
 The only way to arrive at a just of the difference be- 
 tween a public and a private life is to try both. 
 
 There is no prize more worthy of aspiring after than the 
 of the good and the wise. 
 
 It is impossible to form a just of any individual cha- 
 racter, without having divested ourselves of all those passions 
 or prejudices which may tend to pervert our judgment. 
 
 All articles are not to be ■■ " merely by the intrinsic 
 
 value of the material ; the form, workmanship, and labour 
 bestowed upon it must also enter into the calculation. 
 
 " The extent of the trade of the Greeks, how highly soever 
 
 it may have been — in ancient times, was in proportion 
 
 to the low condition of their marine." 
 
 " I am not uneasy, that many whom I never had any ■ 
 
 for are likely to enjoy this world after me." 
 
234 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To excite — to incite. 
 
 When we excite, we raise into existence feelings 
 which were dormant. When we incite^ we urge the 
 excited feelings to action. When we are in a state 
 of excitement, we are easily incited. First the ex- 
 citement, then the incitement. Novelty excites 
 us ; arguments incite us. By excitement, we feel 
 strongly ; by incitement, we are urged to action. 
 Excitement will, undoubtedly, greatly assist incite- 
 ment ; for a man, whose passions are excited, may 
 be much more easily incited to do wrong than he 
 who is calm. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The Lacedaemonians were more to desire of ho- 
 nor with the excellent verses of the poet Tjrtseus, than with 
 all the exhortations of their captains." 
 
 " Nature and common reason, in all diffictdties where pru- 
 dence or courage is required, do rather us to fly for 
 
 assistance to a single person, than to a multitude." 
 
 Antony, by his speech over the body of Caesar, and the 
 
 reading of his will, so the feelings of the people against 
 
 his murderers, that the latter were obliged to withdraw from 
 the popular wrath. 
 
 He was strongly to study, not only by the hope of 
 
 honors and rewards, but also with the view of procuring a 
 maintenance for his aged father and mother. 
 
 When the news arrived of the disclosures that had taken 
 place in the city, of the complete suppression of the plot, and 
 of the execution of the leading conspirators, many who had 
 
 joined their standard, from the love of — , and the hope 
 
 of plunder, gradually slunk away. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 235 
 
 Antiochus, when he Prusias to join in war, set before 
 
 him the greatness of the Romans, comparing it to a fire that 
 took and spread from kingdom to kingdom. 
 
 To exert — to exercise. 
 
 In order to exercise, we must exert repeatedly : 
 the former is but an intensive form of the latter. 
 To exert is simply to put forth ; to exercise is to 
 put forth often, and involves reiterated exertion. 
 We may exert authority in a single instance, but to 
 exercise authority implies continuance of time, and 
 repetition of action. We exert the voice to make 
 those at a distance hear us ; we exercise the voice 
 to attain a good intonation and flexibility in 
 sinsfinor. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " This faculty of the mind, when it is immediately 
 
 about things, is called judgment." 
 
 " When the service of Britain requires your courage and 
 conduct, you may them both." 
 
 " Men ought to beware that they use not and a spare 
 
 diet both ; but if much , a plentiful diet ; if sparing 
 
 diet, little ." 
 
 " When the will has an act of command upon any 
 
 faculty of the soul, or member of the body, it has done all that 
 
 the whole man, as a moral agent, can do for the actual 
 
 or employment of such a faculty or member." 
 
 " The Roman tongue was the study of their youth ; it was 
 their own language they were instructed and in." 
 
 " How has Milton represented the whole Godhead ing 
 
 itself towards man in its full benevolence ! " 
 
236 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYilES. 
 
 " God made no faculty but He also provided it with a proper 
 
 object upon which it might itself." 
 
 " The utmost power of my ed soul 
 
 Preserves a being only for your service." 
 
 " The constitution of their bodies was naturally so feeble, 
 
 and so unaccustomed to the laborious of industry, that 
 
 they were satisfied with a proportion of food amazingly 
 small." 
 
 " He was strong of body, and so much the stronger, as he, 
 
 by a well-disciplined , taught it both to do and to 
 
 suffer." 
 
 To forgive — to pardon. 
 
 Small offences ^vq forgiven; serious offences are 
 pardoned. The former word is used on familiar 
 occasions ; the latter, in cases of importance. For- 
 giveness is exercised between those of the same 
 condition in life. Pardon is granted from those in 
 authority to their inferiors. We forgive each other 
 after a quarrel ; a king pardons rebels or conspira- 
 tors. The expression in the Lord's Prayer, ^^ Forgive 
 us our trespasses," is in accordance with the term 
 used at the beginning of the same prayer : " Our 
 Father^ which art/' &c. Kindness prompts us to 
 forgive ; mercy inclines us to pardon. Hatred pre- 
 vents us from forgiving ; the laws prevent us from 
 pardoning. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Simnel having confessed his imposture, and publicly begged 
 -, was degraded to a mean ofiice in the king's household, 
 
 in which employment he soon afterwards died. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 237 
 
 The wretched wife, on hearing that her husband Avas con- 
 demned, immediately undertook a journey on foot to the 
 capital, where, throwing herself at the king's feet, she implored 
 for her husband. 
 
 The little girl showed such unequivocal signs of sorrow for 
 
 her fault, that her mother was induced to her ; telling 
 
 her, however, that she would not find her so lenient again under 
 similar circumstances. 
 
 The unfortunate brother, now an outcast and a wanderer on 
 the face of the earth, was so fearful of his father's just anger 
 
 at his conduct, that he despaired of ever obtaining , 
 
 and determined never again to return home. 
 
 Though numerous applications were made for the prisoner's 
 , they were all ineffectual, the government having deter- 
 
 mined to make an example of the next that should be guilty of 
 a like offence. 
 
 " What better can we do than prostrate fall 
 Before him reverent, and there confess 
 
 Humbly our faults, and beg ; with tears 
 
 Watering the ground ? " 
 
 " A being who has nothing to in himself, may reward 
 
 every man according to his works." 
 
 He whose very best actions must be seen with a grain of 
 allowance, cannot be too mild, moderate, and ing. 
 
 To grow — to become. 
 
 To become is to be one thing from having been 
 another ; it always has reference to a previous state : 
 to grow is to be approaching towards another state. 
 A man is become old when he is of a certain age ; a 
 man grows old when he is verging towards that age. 
 To grow is to become by degrees. To grow is con- 
 
 ^.^ i--'i.tAi'^litiirifa'rfHJi^ntf-"'>r-i 
 
238 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 tinuous ; to become is stationary. A dying man 
 grows weaker every hour ; a patient who has suf- 
 fered much pain is become very weak. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 We should not only never forget, but we should be deeply 
 
 impressed with the reflection, that as we older, it is our 
 
 duty to more virtuous. 
 
 " The Lord breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and 
 man a living soul." 
 
 Our old coachman is almost recovered from his late attack, 
 and is now stronger every day. 
 
 All eyes were now intently fixed on the horizon : a faint hght 
 glimmered in the east, which gradually unfolded to our sight 
 
 the whole expanse of the ocean ; it soon brighter ; the 
 
 stars, one by one, extinct ; and at length the glorious 
 
 god of day, rising from his golden couch, stepped majestically 
 forth from the waters, and stood confessed before our won- 
 dering and delighted eyes. 
 
 During his youth, there never was a more liberal or more 
 hospitable man: but towards the latter part of his hfe, he 
 
 penurious and reserved, and at last wholly withdrew 
 
 from society. 
 
 " About this time. Savage's nurse, who had always treated 
 him as her own son, died ; and it was natural for him to take 
 care of those effects which, by her death, were, as he imagined, 
 his own." 
 
 "Authors, like coins, dear as they old." 
 
 To hate — to detest. 
 Hate, from the Anglo-Saxon hcete, describes the 
 active feeling of dislike, together with that agitation 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 239 
 
 of the spirits which accompanies every strong pas- 
 sion : detest, from the Latin detestor, is a more 
 intensive degree of hate ; it calls on others to bear 
 viritness to its hatred. Hate is " deep, not loud ;" 
 detestation is communicative, and always expressed. 
 What we begin by hating, we may end by detest- 
 ing. Those who endeavour to injure others are 
 hated ; those who secure their own powers on the 
 ruin of others are detested. Malice is hateful ; 
 hypocrisy is detestable. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Duplicity and cunning deserve to be ; they may 
 
 escape detection for a time, but are sure, in the end, to be 
 brought to light. 
 
 We are commanded not to any man; there are, 
 
 however, many qualities which we are justified not only in 
 
 , but even in . 
 
 Some young persons are so fond of expressing themselves 
 hyperboHcally, that they never condescend to use common 
 terms ; whatever they entertain any dislike or disinchnation to 
 
 they declare that they . Not long since, I heard a young 
 
 lady protest that she steel forks ! 
 
 Though we ought to no one, it is not possible that 
 
 we should love all equally. 
 
 " Who dares think one thing, and another tell, 
 
 My heart him as the gates of hell." 
 
 " Your majesty hath no just cause to me." 
 
 The character of Catiline is admirably drawn by SaUust, 
 who describes him as possessed of the greatest talents, and 
 yet plunged in the deepest excesses and committing the most 
 
 crimes. 
 
 "Brutus the oppression and the oppressor." 
 
 fekt-ririfi'-^i^ilMiihfeisAiiit^a-Wri h % ^ ir ■ ■; r i fifW\i Mm -Th inf i i lilibilliiiill^ f '\ft\ 
 
240 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 " A bard was selected to witness the fray, 
 And tell future ages the feats of the day ; 
 
 A bard who all sadness and spleen, 
 
 And wished that Parnassus a vineyard had been." 
 
 To hear — to listen. 
 The same difference exists between to hear and to 
 listen that may be found between to see and to 
 look ; i. e, they are synonymes of degree. Listening 
 is an intensive degree of hearing. We hear in- 
 voluntarily ; we listen with intention. Those who 
 have sound ears cannot help hearing. We may 
 hear persons talking without listening to what they 
 say. If you listen to a conversation, you may hear 
 many improving remarks. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 On entering the harbour, we a loud explosion, which 
 
 seemed, from its intensity, to have taken place at no great 
 
 distance from us. We attentively, thinkmg it might 
 
 be repeated, but we nothing more. 
 
 There is an old proverb : " never any good 
 
 of themselves." This saying does not apply to all , 
 
 but only to those who are curious to what it is not 
 
 proper that they should know. 
 
 Though they with all possible attention, they were 
 
 so far from the preaxiher, that they could not a syllable 
 
 of the sermon. 
 
 When the prisoners were led across the drawbridge into the 
 
 castle, and the heavy portculhs fall behind them as 
 
 they entered the yard, their hearts sank within them, and 
 each felt that he should never leave that prison alive. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 241 
 
 All discipline was now at an end, and such din and con- 
 fusion ensued, that even those who were desirous to preserve 
 
 order, and obey their officers, could not the word of 
 
 command. 
 
 One who is really deaf cannot ; one who is deaf to 
 
 your entreaties will not to them. 
 
 " I looked, I ; dreadful sounds I , 
 
 And the dire forms of hostile gods appear." 
 
 " When we have occasion to , and give a more par- 
 ticular attention to some sound, the tympanum is drawn to a 
 more than ordinary tension." 
 
 To lament — to deplore. 
 
 These two words represent different circumstances 
 of grief : we lament with exclamation; we deplore 
 with tears. Lamentations are accompanied with 
 sobs and cries. In deploring, our grief is expressed 
 by weeping. Violent grief produces lamentation ; 
 deep grief causes us to deplore. What is lamentable 
 excites a strong expression ; what is deplorable 
 excites a strong feeling. We lament loudly ; we 
 deplore deeply. The cries of a bird hovering round 
 the nest from which her young have been stolen 
 are lamentable. A mother deplores the death of 
 her son. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The wounds they washed, the pious tears they shed. 
 
 And laid along their oars, the dead." 
 
 " But let not chief the nightingale 
 
 Her ruined care, too delicately framed 
 To brook the harsh confinement of the cage." 
 R 
 
242 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " This was the condition to which the king was 
 
 reduced. " 
 
 He who , grieves aloud ; he who , grieves 
 
 silently. 
 
 "VVe an honorable, we a disgraceful mis- 
 fortune. 
 
 "Hence we may have some idea of the state of 
 
 learning in that kingdom." 
 
 " We, long ere our approaching, heard within 
 Noise, other than the sound of dance or song ! 
 
 Torments, and loud , and furious rage." 
 
 " In this interval of anguish and expectation, she came to 
 
 take her last farewell of her husband and deliverer, ing 
 
 her wretched fate that had saved her from perishing in the 
 waters to be the spectator of still greater calamities." 
 " The victors to their vessels bear the prize, 
 And hear behind loud groans and cries." 
 
 To overcome — to conquer. 
 
 By overcoming, we prove our superiority or mas- 
 tery. By conquering, we acquire possession. An 
 enemy is conquered ; an antagonist is overcome. 
 Those who are taken prisoners are conquered; 
 those who prove unequal to the contest are over- 
 come. Alexander the Great conquered the Per- 
 sians, after having overcome Darius in three great 
 battles. William the First conquered the English. 
 In his march across the Alps, Hannibal overcame 
 every difficulty. 
 
 JSxercise, 
 
 " There are sometimes little misfortunes and accidents that 
 
SYNONTMES OF INTENSITY. 243 
 
 happen to poor people, whieh, of themselves, they could never 
 
 be able to ." 
 
 " They had them, and brought them under tribute." 
 
 " When a country is completely , all the people are 
 
 reduced to the condition of subjects." 
 
 " That he no less 
 
 At length may find, who 
 
 By force, hath but half his foe." 
 
 Alexander is said to have wept at the idea, that there were 
 
 no more worlds to . 
 
 " The patient mind by yielding ." 
 
 "When these happy tidings were communicated to her, the 
 
 poor woman's feelings were quite , and she burst into 
 
 a flood of tears." 
 
 " K it were possible for a man to all his passions, and 
 
 ~.«.«— . all his prejudices, we should look upon such a person 
 as being the nearest conceivable approach to a perfect cha- 
 racter." 
 
 " Not to be was to do more 
 
 Than all the conquests former kings did gain." 
 " Welcome, great Stagirite, and teach me now 
 All I was born to know. 
 Thy scholar's victories thou dost outdo : 
 He th' earth, the whole world you." 
 
 To perceive — to discern. 
 To perceive signifies that act, performed by the 
 eye, by which an object at some distance is brought 
 to make an impression on the mind. To discern 
 expresses that act by which the eye is enabled to 
 separate one object from among several, and to 
 consider it apart from the rest. Perceiving has 
 reference to objects of the same sort ; discerning, to 
 
244 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 one among many of a different sort from itself. I 
 perceive trees or houses at a distance ; I discern a 
 steeple among houses, or a river in a landscape. 
 The same distinction holds good in the abstract 
 sense of the two words. We perceive the truth 
 of a proposition which, perhaps, did not at first 
 strike us obviously. A sagacious mind can dis- 
 cern truth though it be mixed up with falsehood 
 or hypocrisy. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Long before our vessel had reached the shore, I could 
 
 the tall elms which skirt our home-field. 
 
 Walking along the road, I , coming towards me, a 
 
 crowd of children dressed in their holiday suits, each carrying 
 an oak-branch in his hand. 
 
 I soon that the chiefs intentions towards me were 
 
 hostile ; and slipping out unobserved, I withdrew hastily from 
 the conference. 
 
 The style of the writers of that age is so obscure and 
 affected, and at the same time so diffusive, that it is no easy 
 
 matter, amidst so many defects, to any meaning in 
 
 their writings. 
 
 " One who is actuated by party spirit is almost under an 
 
 incapacity of either real blemishes or beauties.** 
 
 " And lastly, turning inwardly her eyes, 
 how all her own ideas rise." 
 
 " Great part of the country was abandoned to the plunder of 
 
 the soldiers, who not troubUng themselves to between 
 
 a subject and a rebel, whilst their liberty lasted, made indif- 
 ferently profit of both." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 245 
 
 To raise — to lift. 
 
 To raise is to place upright. To lift is to take 
 from the ground. That which is lifted is no longer 
 in contact with its under support. What is raised 
 stands erect, but still touches the ground. If we 
 lift a child who has fallen, we take him in our 
 arms ; if we raise a child who has fallen, we make 
 him stand on his legs. In a secondary sense, the 
 same difference exists. Devotion lifts the soul to 
 heaven. "This gentleman came to be raised to 
 great titles." 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Antaeus was a mighty giant and wrestler in Libya, whose 
 strength was invincible as long as he remained in contact 
 with his mother earth. Hercules discovered the source of his 
 
 strength, him up from the earth, and crushed him in 
 
 the air. 
 
 When from the ground, he was so weak that he 
 
 could not stand upright, and was obliged to be supported 
 home by two men. 
 
 " Now rosy morn ascends the courts of Jove, 
 up her light, and opens day above." 
 
 As the little girl was too short to see what was going on in 
 the gardens, her father her up in his arms. 
 
 The ladder was so heavy, that it required four men to 
 
 it against the building. 
 
 " I would have our conceptions by dignity of 
 
 thought and sublimity of expression, rather than by a train of 
 robes or a plume of feathers." 
 
 By his great natural powers, aided by industry and perse^ 
 » 3 
 
246 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 verance, he was so esteemed and respected that he was at last 
 
 to the highest dignities of the state. 
 
 " Hark ! was there not 
 
 A murmur as of distant voices, and 
 
 The tramp of feet in martial unison ? 
 
 What phantoms even of sound our wishes !" 
 
 " The mind, by being engaged in a task beyond its strength, 
 
 like the body strained by ing a weight too heavy, has 
 
 often its force broken." 
 
 To receive — to accept. 
 To receive is an involuntary — to accept is a vo- 
 luntary act. We cannot help receiving, but we are 
 not obliged to accept what is sent to us. That is 
 received which simply comes to hand ; that is ac- 
 cepted which we express our willingness to take for 
 ourselves. Thus, we receive a letter when it comes 
 to hand ; we receive news when it reaches us ; 
 we accept a present which is offered us ; we accept 
 an invitation to dine with a friend, &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 No further intelligence of his proceedings had been ■ 
 
 up to the middle of last month. 
 
 He was of so independent a character, that though deeply 
 involved in pecuniary difficulties, he did not think proper to 
 the offer of a friend to assist him. 
 
 The last accounts we of om* friends in India "are 
 
 most satisfactory. 
 
 The minister, rising, said that he with pride and 
 
 satisfaction the token of their friendship which they had that 
 day offered him. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 247 
 
 The conditions offered by Cfesar, and by Cassivelau- 
 
 nus, were, that he should send to the continent double the 
 number of hostages at first demanded, and acknowledge 
 subjection to the Romans. 
 
 The whole party succeeded in reaching Tinian in about three 
 
 weeks, where they were with the greatest hospitality, 
 
 and were treated with all the kindness and attention their 
 deplorable condition required. 
 
 " The sweetest cordial we at last. 
 
 Is conscience for our virtuous actions past." 
 
 " Unransomed here the spotless fair, 
 
 the hecatomb the Greeks prepare." 
 
 To remark — to observe. 
 
 To remark is to note down casually ; to observe 
 is to note down intentionally. A slight degree of 
 attention will call forth a remark. An observation 
 is the result of inquiry. We often cannot help 
 remarking ; but in observing, we direct our 
 attention specially to some object. A remark will 
 very frequently lead to an observation. A phe- 
 nomenon in the heavens may be remarked by a 
 casual spectator, but will be observed by an 
 astronomer. A remark is momentary ; an observa- 
 tion occupies more time. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " It was also of Cromwell, that though born of a 
 
 good family, both by father and mother, and although he had 
 
 the usual opportunities of education and breeding connected 
 
 with such an advantage, he never could acquire the courtesies 
 
 R 4 
 
248 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 usually exercised among the higher classes in their intercourse 
 with each other." 
 
 "It should, however, he , that Cromwell made 
 
 religion harmonize with his ambition." 
 
 " It is easy to ■ what has been , that the names 
 
 of simple ideas are least liable to mistake." 
 
 " I have often had occasion to the fortitude mth 
 
 which women sustain the most overwhelming reverses of 
 fortune." 
 
 " Othello is the vigorous and vivacious offspring of 
 
 impregnated by genius." 
 
 ** The course of time is so visibly marked, that it is 
 
 even by birds." 
 
 " The rules of our practice are taken from the conduct of 
 such persons as fall within our ." 
 
 " We may children discourse and reason correctly 
 
 on many subjects at a comparatively early age." 
 
 To remember — to recollect. 
 
 We remember wkat has happened without any- 
 great effort ; we recollect after some exertion of the 
 memory. When the idea of some past occurrence 
 presents itself spontaneously to the mind, that 
 occurrence is remembered ; but when, after several 
 attempts, an idea becomes clear and distinct, it is 
 then recollected. It will therefore be more proper 
 to say — '^ I do not remember '' — and, *' I cannot 
 recollect." 
 
 JBxercise, 
 
 " I have been trying to ," said he, " all the circum- 
 stances of that eventful day ; but I nothing more than 
 
 what I have already related to you." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 249 
 
 I perfectly what occurred up to a certain point of 
 
 time ; but I cannot what took place afterwards. 
 
 There died lately at Hampstead, a gentleman named 
 Thomson, who was endowed with such an extraordinary 
 
 power of memory, that he , and could accurately 
 
 describe all the most minute objects in any street or road he 
 had once passed through ; and that after a considerable lapse 
 of time. 
 
 Those who have ready memories learn easily, but do not 
 
 ; those whose memories are retentive have but little 
 
 difficulty in what they have once learnt. 
 
 No one can what occurred to him during the first 
 
 six or seven months of his life. 
 
 Do you ■ what I said to you this morning ? 
 
 " We are said to any thing, when the idea of it 
 
 arises in the mind with a consciousness that we have had this 
 idea before." 
 
 " — every day the things seen, heard, or read, which 
 make any addition to your understanding." 
 
 To reveal — to divulge. 
 
 To reveal is to make known what is concealed, 
 by withdrawing what covered it. To divulge is to 
 spread abroad the knowledge of what is revealed. 
 A man reveals his secret to his friend ; that friend 
 divulges the secret by making it generally known. 
 What is once revealed is likely to become soon 
 divulged. What is revealed is imparted to one or 
 to a few ; what is divulged is made known to 
 many. We reveal to ease our conscience or our 
 feelings; we divulge what ought to remain con- 
 cealed. 
 
250 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 These facts, though they occurred so many years ago, were 
 never to any but two persons, who have most reli- 
 giously kept the secret ever since. 
 
 Time, which all other things and brings them to 
 
 light, is itself the most difficult of all things to be under- 
 stood. 
 
 " The cabinets of the sick, and the closets of the dead, 
 
 have been ransacked to pubHsh private letters, and 
 
 to all mankind the most secret sentiments of friendship." 
 
 The mystery attached to the " Man in the Iron Mask " has 
 never been cleared np, and though innumerable conjectures 
 have been made of who he was, his name has never been 
 to the world. 
 
 Conscious of the disgrace it would bring upon his family 
 if it should be known that he was implicated in this dreadful 
 
 transaction, he steadily and constantly refused to his 
 
 name. 
 
 Though no less than forty persons were privy to the escape 
 of Charles II., and concerned in aiding his flight, not one of 
 them his secret. 
 
 " In confession, the ing is not for worldly use, but 
 
 for the ease of a man's heart." 
 
 " These answers in the silent night received, 
 The king himself , the land believed." 
 
 To satisfy — to satiate. 
 
 Those who have enough are satisfied ; those who 
 have more than enough are satiated. They who do 
 not require more are satisfied ; they who feel that 
 they have had too much are satiated. What nature 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 251 
 
 requires is to be satisfied ; gluttons satiate them- 
 selves. To satisfy brings pleasure ; to satiate 
 causes disgust. Injudicious mothers frequently 
 allow their children to satiate themselves. Satisfac- 
 tion is necessary to preserve a healthy appetite ; 
 satiety destroys health. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Whatever novelty presents, children are presently eager to 
 taste, and are as soon with it." 
 
 She told me that both herself and her children suffered 
 extremely from hunger, for that the miserable pittance her 
 husband gained was not sufficient to procure them wherewith 
 to the natural cravings of the appetite. 
 
 There is no action, the usefulness of which has made it a 
 duty, which a man may not bear the continual pursuit of, with- 
 out loathing or . 
 
 I am far from being with the account he gives of the 
 
 transaction, and believe that he knows much more about the 
 affair than he chooses to disclose. 
 
 " He leaves a shallow plash to plunge him in the deep, 
 And with seeks to quench his thirst." 
 
 with pleasures, and disgusted at the ingratitude of 
 
 those he had thought his friends, he suddenly resolved to retire 
 to a monastery, there to compensate, by a life of penance and 
 mortification, for the excesses of his past years. 
 
 A hungry man will be always with plain food. 
 
 To see — to look. 
 
 To see is the simple act of using the organ of 
 sight ; to look is to direct that organ to some par- 
 
252 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3IES. 
 
 ticular object. Those who have their eyes open 
 cannot help seeing; but to look implies an act of the 
 will. I see the light, or any objects which are 
 casually in the way of my eyes ; I look at some- 
 thing with a view to examine its nature or qualities. 
 If you look at the sun, you may see the spots on its 
 surface. The two words have the same difference 
 of meaning when used in a secondary sense : On 
 looking at the question, he saw the difficulties with 
 which it was surrounded. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 When his father me, he that I was much 
 
 agitated. 
 
 There is a great deal to be , but little worth . 
 
 On the weathercock, I that the wind had 
 
 changed. 
 
 On ascending the hill, we a man standing in a melan- 
 choly attitude, wistfully on the ground. Eaising his 
 
 eyes, he us for some moments with an expression of 
 
 eager hope ; at length, that we did not intend to give 
 
 him anything, he walked silently away. 
 
 this system comprehensively, we may easily 
 
 that it wUl never work well. 
 
 We the whole affair as a fraudulent design, and 
 
 from the beginning that it would never succeed. 
 
 Martin's " Deluge " — it is the most simple of his 
 
 works — it is perhaps also the most awful. 
 
 " They climb the next ascent, and ing down, 
 
 Now at a nearer distance view the town," 
 
 One • around sufficed him ; his face brightened, he 
 
 uttered a cry of joy. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 253 
 
 Should — Ought 
 
 Both these words imply an obligation ; but ought 
 binds more strongly than should. What we should 
 do is a social obligation ; but what we ought to do 
 implies a moral obligation on our part. We ought 
 to love our parents ; we ought to respect our supe- 
 riors. We should be neat and clean in our persons, 
 and kind to our inferiors ; we ought always to speak 
 the truth. We should avoid giving offence ; we 
 ought to obey the laws. 
 
 —^ — 
 Exercise, 
 
 You never to forget the kindness he has shewn you, 
 
 and how much you are indebted to him for many of the ad- 
 vantages you now enjoy. 
 
 We to consider it our duty to bear with the moral 
 
 failings of others, when we remember that we are all weak crea- 
 tures, and are easily led into temptation. 
 
 In writing, you take care that the letters be perfectly 
 
 formed, and weU joined together. 
 
 In accomplishing any design, or completing any work of 
 importance, we proceed systematically and regularly. 
 
 He whose honor is intrusted with a secret never 
 
 to divulge it : no circumstances make him consider it 
 
 excusable to communicate it to a single individual. 
 
 Judges to remember that their office is to interpret 
 
 law, and not to make or give law. 
 
 Exercises be written carefully and neatly, and 
 
 — ■ never be shewn to the teacher till they are corrected, as 
 
 far as possible, by the pupil. 
 
254 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYAIES. 
 
 To slake — to quench. 
 
 To slake (from the Saxon verb slacian, to slacken) 
 is to quench partially. To quench is from the Saxon 
 cwencan, and means to put out entirely. He who 
 slakes his thirst takes sufficient liquid to prevent 
 great inconvenience. He who quenches his thirst 
 takes enough to fully satisfy his desire of drink. 
 The same difference is preserved between the words 
 when used in a moral sense. To slake desire is to 
 lessen it ; to quench hatred is to extinguish it. 
 
 JF^xercise, 
 
 Soon after the fire had broken out, there fell a hea\7- shower 
 
 of rain, which effectually it, and prevented any damage, 
 
 beyond the loss of the furniture in one or two rooms. 
 
 " Amidst the running stream he his thirst." 
 
 *' A little fire is quickly trodden out. 
 
 Which, being suffered, rivers cannot ." 
 
 It is a custom in many parts of Ireland to the fires 
 
 by covering them over with wet coals at night-time ; by this 
 means, they burn through the whole night at a small cost, 
 and do not require the trouble of lighting afresh in the 
 morning. 
 
 We all suffered intensely from the excessive heat and 
 drought ; for water was so scarce as to be sold at four or five 
 shillings the pailful, and we were often whole days without 
 
 being able to procure a drop of water to our thirst. 
 
 The hatred which was thus unhappily occasioned between 
 
 these two men was never afterwards wholly , and they 
 
 hved and died implacable enemies. 
 
 " You have already sedition's brand." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. ZOO 
 
 " When your work is forged, do not it in water to 
 
 cool it, but throw it down on the floor or hearth to cool of 
 itself." 
 
 To surprise — to astonish. 
 
 Both these words imply a disturbing of the senses. 
 To surprise is to take one off his guard ; to astonish 
 is to confound the senses. We are longer in recover- 
 ing from astonishment than from surprise. We are 
 surprised at what is unexpected ; we are astonished 
 at what is beyond our comprehension. Surprise is 
 more temporary ; astonishment more lasting. We 
 are taken by surprise ; we are struck with asto- 
 nishment. What we are prepared for does not sur- 
 prise us ; what we can conceive clearly does not 
 astonish us. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " So little do we accustom ourselves to consider the effect 
 
 of time, that things necessary and certain often us 
 
 like unexpected contingencies." 
 
 "I have often been , considering that the mutual 
 
 intercourse between the two countries (France and England) 
 has lately been very great, to find how little you seem to know 
 of us." 
 
 " But the chief merit of this great man (Michael Angelo) 
 is not to be sought for in the remains of his pencil, nor even 
 in his sculptures ; but in the general improvement of the public 
 
 taste which followed his ing productions." 
 
 "The greatest actions of a celebrated person, however 
 I and extraordinary, are no more than what are ex- 
 
 pected from him." 
 
256 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 " at the voice, he stood amazed, 
 
 And all around vnth inward horror gazed." 
 " You see, I am just to my word in writing to you from 
 
 Paris, where I was very much to meet my sister. I 
 
 need not add, very much pleased." 
 
 " We crossed a large tract of land ly fruitful." 
 
 " Cromwell was not the meteor which and astounds 
 
 by the brilliancy and rapidity of its course." 
 
 " It is the part of men to fear and tremble. 
 When the most mighty gods, by tokens, send 
 Such dreadftd heralds to us." 
 
 To undei^ stand — to comprehend. 
 
 To understand is to have the free use of our 
 reasoning faculty ; to be able to see the relation 
 between cause and effect, or the fitness of things 
 for each other. To comprehend requires a stronger 
 exertion of intellect. We understand what is stated 
 in plain terms ; we comprehend what at first ap- 
 peared obscure. I may understand the words of 
 a sentence without being able to comprehend its 
 meaning. The understanding is employed upon 
 practical questions ; the comprehension, upon theo- 
 retical systems, or speculative truths. A simple fact 
 is understood. To arrive at a conclusion by a pro- 
 cess of reasoning, we must comprehend. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 When a man speaks in a language with which we are unac- 
 quainted, we cannot what he says : when a man speaks 
 
SYNOI^YMES OF INTENSITY. 25 
 
 in a language we , but expresses himself loosely and 
 
 inaccurately, we cannot his meaning. 
 
 Natural signs are a language universally . 
 
 , It is impossible to the nature of God. 
 
 There are many things which the mind of man is unable to 
 
 The language of a lecturer who does not fully his 
 
 subject must, of necessity, be unintelligible to his hearers. 
 
 Though he — several languages, and is very accom- 
 plished, he has not yet been able to procure any occupation. . 
 
 Men often commit great injustice in condemning what they 
 have not capacity to . 
 
 " What they cannot immediately conceive, they consider as 
 too high to be reached, or too extensive to be ." 
 
 " Swift pays no court to the passions ; he excites neither 
 
 surprise nor admiration ; he always himself, and his 
 
 readers always — him." 
 
 " Our finite knowledge cannot 
 
 The principles of an unbounded sway." 
 
 Adjacent — Contiguous. 
 Places that are adjacent lie near to each other ; 
 places that are contiguous lie close to each other. 
 Two fields which have a common boundary are con- 
 tiguous. Places that are adjacent to each other 
 may yet have something intervening. Places that 
 are contiguous must touch each other. Hampstead 
 and Highgate are adjacent to London. The houses 
 in Portland-place are contiguous to each other. 
 
 Exercise, 
 " They have been beating up for volunteers at York, and 
 the towns , but nobody will list." 
 
 S 
 
258 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " We aiTived at the utmost boundaries of a wood which 
 
 lay to a plain." 
 
 " Where, then, ah ! where shall poverty reside, 
 
 To 'scape the pressure of pride ? " 
 
 " And now the odours, fanned by a gentle wind creeping 
 
 from the sea, scattered themselves over that chamber, 
 
 whose walls vied with the richest colours of the most glowing 
 lloweis." 
 
 "This is more particularly the case with the counties 
 to London, over which the Genius of Gardening exer- 
 cises his power so often and so wantonly, that they are usually 
 new-created once in twenty or thirty years, and no traces left 
 of their former condition." 
 
 " The loud misrule 
 Of Chaos far removed ; lest fierce extremes 
 
 might distemper the whole frame." 
 
 " Flame does not mingle with flame, as air does with air, 
 
 but only remains ." 
 
 On the morning of the 27th of March, 1844, not only the 
 
 town itself, but all the villages, felt a violent shock of 
 
 an earthquake. 
 
 Contemptible — Despicable, 
 
 These are synonymes of degree. Despicable is a 
 more intensive degree of contemptible. What is 
 worthless or weak is contemptible ; what is actively 
 bad or immoral is despicable. In contemning, we 
 pay no more attention to the thing contemned than 
 is sufficient to perceive its worthlessness. In despis- 
 ing, the mind is more strongly and permanently 
 fixed on the object despised. Circumstances may 
 make despicable that which is in itself only con- 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 259 
 
 temptible. An array may be contemptible from its 
 want of numerical force. A traitor to his country 
 is a despicable character. Vanity is contemptible ; 
 malice is despicable. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He attempted to conceal his designs by shallow and 
 
 artifices. 
 
 Menon contemned simplicity and truth as weaknesses, 
 
 and so was his character, that he naver hesitated to 
 
 accomplish his ends by perjury and deceit. 
 
 Men of understanding mostly pride themselves 
 
 on qualities that are worthless in the eyes of the wise. 
 
 Nothing can be more than the attempts of the vain 
 
 to gain that praise which they are conscious that they do not 
 deserve. 
 
 His character was a compound of the most qualities 
 
 of our nature ; his most prominent vices were fraud, duplicity, 
 and the most inordinate avarice, and he had not one redeem- 
 ing virtue in his whole composition. 
 
 It frequently happens to the weak-minded, that what they 
 
 regard as proves in the end of more real worth than 
 
 many things of which they entertain a high opinion. 
 
 " To put on an artful part to obtain no other but an unjust 
 praise from the undiscerning is of all endeavours the most 
 
 Covetous — Avaricious, 
 
 The covetous man is desirous of appropriating 
 the wealth of others. The avaricious man is inor- 
 dinately desirous of gain, by whatever means he 
 may acquire it. The avaricious are eager to get, 
 
 s 2 
 
260 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 in order to heap up ; they cannot bear to part with 
 their wealth. The covetous are eager to obtain 
 money, but not so desirous to retain it. It is very 
 possible for a covetous man to be a spendthrift. 
 The avaricious never spend freely. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 He was so , and in such a hurry to become rich, 
 
 that he frequently over-reached himself, and entered into 
 speculations which proved heavy losses. 
 
 About this period, two vices of an opposite nature, luxury 
 and , prevailed in Kome. 
 
 Catiline is said to have been of the wealth of others, 
 
 at the same time that he was lavish of his own. 
 
 " No wise man was ever of money." 
 
 is subversive of truth, probity, and all other good 
 
 qualities ; and introduces in their stead, pride, cruelty, and 
 irreligion. 
 
 The are in constant fear, either of losing what they 
 
 ah-eady possess, or of not being- able to gain more. 
 
 The consideration that happiness does not consist in the 
 possession of what we desire should prevent our becoming 
 
 of the goods of others. 
 
 . " Nothing lies on his hands with such uneasiness as time. 
 Wretched and thoughtless creatures ! In the only place where 
 were a virtue, we tuni prodigals." 
 
 " He that is envious or angry at a virtue that is not his 
 own, is not of the virtue, but of its reward and repu- 
 tation, and then his intentions are polluted." 
 
 " At last Swift's grew too powerful for his kind- 
 ness ; he would refuse his friends a bottle of wine." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 261 
 
 Different — Various. 
 
 It has been said that no two things in nature are 
 exactly alike. The words to be here distinguished 
 express degrees of their unlikeness. Different shows 
 the unlikeness existing in generals. Various marks 
 the dissimilarity of the species. Things are infi- 
 nitely various; that is, it is impossible to enumerate 
 all the points in which they vary. We cannot, 
 however, say that things are infinitely different, 
 because this word more exactly defines the point of 
 unlikeness. The flowers on a rose-bush will be 
 various in size and shape, and will be different from 
 the flowers of the pink or dahlia. Different people 
 think differently. A subject affects the minds of 
 men variously, when they all entertain the same 
 opinion of it in the main, but not in detail: it affects 
 them differently, when some entertain an opinion of 
 it totally opposed to that of others. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The two men were as from each other as it was 
 
 possible. The one, open, frank, liberal, and kind to his 
 friends and companions ; the other, close, mean, avaricious, 
 and unfeeling. 
 
 " There are upwards of a hundred — — species of fern, 
 but they are seldom cultivated in gardens." 
 
 "Happiness consists in things which produce a pleasure, 
 and in the absence of those which cause any pain : now these, 
 
 to men, are things." 
 
 " Then were they known to men by names, 
 
 And idols through the heathen world." 
 
 s 3 
 
262 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYIMES. 
 
 The northern languages of modern Europe may be divided 
 
 under three heads, viz. Celtic, Teutonic, and Scla- 
 
 Tonic. 
 
 " It is astonishing to consider the degrees of care 
 
 that descend from the parent to the young, so far as is abso- 
 lutely necessary for the leaving a posterity." 
 
 As land is improved by sowing it with seeds, so is 
 
 the mind by exercising it with studies. . 
 
 Evident — Obvious. 
 
 What is clearly proved is evident; what proves 
 itself is obvious. The latter is a stronger term than 
 the former. It requires some, though not a great, 
 effort of the mind to perceive what is evident; what 
 is obvious requires no stretch of the mind to under- 
 stand — it presents itself to our view — nay, thrusts 
 itself upon our notice. Intuitive truths are obvious ; 
 deduced truths become evident. It is evident that 
 extravagance leads to ruin ; it is obvious that the 
 whole is greater than its part. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " It is to remark that we follow nothing heartily 
 
 unless carried to it by inclination." 
 
 " It is that fame, considered merely as the immor- 
 
 tahty of a name, is not less likely to be the reward of bad 
 actions than of good." 
 
 " These sentiments, whether they be impressed on the soul, 
 or arise as reflections of our reason, I call natural, be- 
 cause they have been found in all ages." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 263 
 
 " It is in the general frame of nature, that things 
 
 most manifest unto sense have proved obscure unto the under- 
 standing." 
 
 " All the great lines of our duty are clear and , the 
 
 obligation acknowledged, and the wisdom of complying with it 
 freely confessed." 
 
 " They are incapable of making conquests upon their neigh- 
 bours, which is to all who know their constitution." 
 
 " They are such lights as are only to every man of 
 
 sense, who loves poetry and understands it." 
 
 " The printing private letters is the worst sort of betraying 
 conversation, as it has ly the most extensive ill conse- 
 quences." 
 
 Forsaken — Forlorn, 
 
 Forlorn is the intensive oi forsaken. When we 
 are forsaken, we are partially deprived of society ; 
 the forlorn are deprived of all society and help. 
 Forsaken also refers to the act of those who 
 abandon ; forlorn qualifies the state of the aban- 
 doned. The forsaken are no longer visited by 
 former friends ; the forlorn are cared for by no one. 
 Things, places, &c., as well as persons, are forsaken ; 
 only persons are forlorn. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Conscience made them recollect that they who had once 
 been deaf to the supplications of a brother were now left 
 
 friendless and . 
 
 " But fearful for themselves, my countrymen 
 
 Left me in the Cyclops' den." 
 
 s 4 
 
264 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 London is at this period of the year quite . In the 
 
 west end of the town, the private houses are almost all shut up, 
 and no gay equipages strike the eye of the passenger. 
 
 " For here and lost I tread, 
 
 "With fainting steps and slow, 
 Where wilds immeasurably spread 
 Seem lengthening as I go." 
 Last summer you frequently came to see us, but now you 
 
 liave quite us. 
 
 The apartments and gardens remain in the nicest order, and 
 
 though the villa is , it is not neglected. 
 
 " Disastrous day ! what ruin hast thou bred. 
 What anguish to the living and the dead ! 
 
 How hast thou left the widow all ." 
 
 " Their pm'ple majesty, 
 And all those outward shows which we call greatness. 
 
 Languish and droop, seem empty and ," 
 
 And draw the wond'ring gazers' eyes no more." 
 
 General — Universal, 
 General bears the same proportion to universal 
 as the part to the whole. The former qualifies the 
 majority ; the latter, every individual. A general 
 rule has exceptions ; a universal rule has none. 
 General is opposed to particular ; universal to indi- 
 vidual. The chief object of a good government 
 should be to secure the general welfare of the com- 
 munity. Universal prosperity never yet existed in 
 any country. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " To conclude from particulars to is a false way of 
 
 arguing." 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 265 
 
 " What, cried I, is my young landlord, then, the nephew of 
 a man whose virtues, generosity, and singularities are so 
 
 ly known ? " 
 
 * " Nor failed they to express how much they praised, 
 
 That for the safety he despised 
 
 His own." 
 
 "1 have considered Milton's ' Paradise Lost' in the fable, the 
 characters, the sentiments, and the language ; and have shown 
 that he excels, in , under each of these heads." 
 
 " This excellent epistle, though in the front of it it bears 
 
 a particular inscription, yet in its drift is , as design-^ 
 
 ing to convince all mankind of the necessity of seeking for 
 happiness in the Gospel." 
 
 " Divine laws and precepts, simply and formally moral, are 
 
 in respect of persons, and in regard of their perpetual 
 
 obligation." 
 
 "The ty of the English have such a favourable 
 
 opinion of treason, nothing can cure them." 
 
 " The wisest were distracted with doubts, while the ty 
 
 wandered without any ruler." 
 
 Idle — Indolent 
 
 The expression " an idle child " does not mean 
 one who is altogether inactive, but one who oc- 
 cupies his time in frivolities. An indolent ohiXdi \^ 
 one who has a strong aversion from action of any 
 sort. The idle do not what they ought to do ; the 
 indolent would do nothing. The idle boy does not 
 learn his lesson ; the indolent boy lies in bed late, 
 and lounges about all day. Idleness is opposed to 
 diligence j indolence, to activity. The idle want 
 
266 EXERCISES ox ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Steadiness of purpose ; the indolent want power of 
 exertion. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 # 
 
 " Nothing is so opposite to the true enjoyment of life as the 
 relaxed and feeble state of an mind." 
 
 " and vice, then, are the chief parents of crime and 
 
 distress. Bat how, in so industrious a country, arises the 
 
 indifference to toil ? The answer is obvious — wherever 
 
 is better remunerated than labour, becomes contagious, 
 
 and labour hateful." 
 
 " Supposing among a multitude embarked in the same vessel, 
 there are several that, in a tempest, will rather perish than 
 
 work ; would it not be madness in the rest to stand , 
 
 and rather choose to sink than do more than comes to their 
 share?" 
 
 In the luxuries of a court, what more natural than 
 
 satiety among the great, and a proud discontent among their 
 emulators ? 
 
 " Children generally hate to be ■ ; all the care, then, 
 
 is that their busy humour should be constantly employed in 
 something of use to them." 
 
 The Prankish kings, buried in luxurious , resigned 
 
 the administration of their affairs into the hands of officers, 
 who, after a time, assumed the regal authority, and founded a 
 new dynasty. 
 
 Mvserahle — Wretched. 
 
 A miserable man is one who is to be pitied or 
 despised on account of his feelings or state of mind; 
 a ivretched man is one to be pitied by reason of his 
 condition. We are miserable in consequence of our 
 own reflections. It is what we suffer from external 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 267 
 
 circumstances that makes us wretched. A con- 
 demned felon is both miserable and wretched ; 
 miserable, from his state of mind, and wretched, 
 from the circumstances in which he is placed. The 
 miserable and the wretched are both deserving of 
 pity ; the wretched, more so than the miserable, as 
 wretchedness is the extreme of misery. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Eobinson Crusoe, when -wrecked on his nninhabited island,^ 
 
 was at the thoughts of his being cut oiF from all 
 
 human intercourse, and separated from the whole world; 
 
 and the idea of his and forlorn condition frequently 
 
 drew from him expressions of the bitterest grief. 
 
 Though I have seen poverty in many forms, I never beheld, 
 
 in any part of the world, such beings as the poor 
 
 cottagers in the south of Ireland. 
 
 " Thus to relieve the was his pride. 
 
 And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side." 
 
 He felt at reflecting upon the misfortunes he had 
 
 unconsciously brought upon an amiable family. 
 
 " Man, considered in himself, is a very helpless and a very 
 being." 
 
 It was discovered the next morning that the ' man had 
 
 coromitted suicide. 
 
 'Tis murmur, discontent, distrust. 
 That makes you . 
 
 " Reason tells me that it is more misery to be covetous than 
 to be poor, as our language, by a peculiar significance of 
 dialect, calls the covetous man the man." 
 
 Modern — Recent, 
 The word recent refers to what has happened 
 
268 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 within a comparatively short space of time past — 
 that which has been some time, but not a long time, 
 in existence ; the word modern refers not only to 
 what has been, but what still does, and will pro- 
 bably, remain in existence for some time. Eecent is 
 contradistinguished from what is long past; modern 
 is opposed to ancient. Recent is always used ab- 
 stractly ; modern, in both senses. Recent facts are 
 fresh in our memory ; modern fashions belong to 
 the present day. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 experiments have proved beyond a doubt, that it is 
 
 not only possible, but very easy, to freeze water in a red hot 
 crucible. 
 
 "Some of the ancient, and likewise of the writers, 
 
 that have laboured in natural magic, have noted a sympathy 
 between the sun and certain herbs." 
 
 " A Italian is distinguished by sensibility, quickness, 
 
 and art, while he employs on trifles the capacity of an ancient 
 Roman ; and exhibits now, in the scene of amusement, and in 
 search of a frivolous applause, that fire and those passions 
 with which Gracchus burned in the forum, and shook the 
 assemblies of a severe people." 
 
 On his arrival at court, he found that, in consequence of 
 
 changes in the administration of the king's household, 
 
 it would be necessary for him to wait at least a week or ten 
 days before he could obtain an audience of his majesty. 
 
 Some regulations of the minister have made him 
 
 very unpopular in this part of the country. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 269 
 
 Scarce — Rare. 
 That of which there is occasionally but a small 
 quantity is scarce. That of which there is at no 
 time much to be procured, or which is seldom to be 
 met with, is rare. Certain plants are rare in Eng- 
 land ; that is, they are seldom found in this coun- 
 try. A bad harvest will make corn scarce. Scarce 
 implies a previous plenty, which is not the case witii 
 rare. Kare qualifies what is a subject of curiosity, 
 or novelty ; scarce qualifies what is an article of 
 necessity. Things are rare, and may become scarce. 
 Rare is used metaphorically ; scarce is never so 
 used. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " A perfect union of wit and judgment is one of the est 
 
 things in the world." 
 
 " When any particular piece of money grew very , it 
 
 was often recoined by a succeeding emperor." 
 
 " Already it is difficult to determine whether his (Michael 
 Angelo's) reputation be enhanced or diminished by the sombre 
 representations of his pencil, in the PauHne and Sistine cha- 
 pels, or by the few specimens of his cabinet pictures, now 
 
 ly to be met with, and exhibiting only a shadow of their 
 
 original excellence." 
 
 " A Swede will no more sell you his hemp for less silver, 
 
 because you tell him silver is er now in England, than 
 
 a tradesman of London will sell his commodity cheaper to the 
 Isle of Man, because money is there." 
 
 " Far from being fond of any flower for its ity, if I 
 
 meet with any in a field which pleases me, I give it a place in 
 , my garden." 
 
 " Corn does not rise or fall by the differences of more or 
 
270 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 less plenty of money, but by the plenty and ity that 
 
 God sends." 
 
 Silent — Taciturn. 
 
 Taciturnity is an intensive silence. A silent 
 man is one who does not speak ; a taciturn 
 man is one who scarcely ever speaks. We may 
 be silent without being taciturn. Silent respects 
 the act; taciturn, the habit. Circumstances may 
 make us silent ; our disposition inclines us to be 
 taciturn. The English have a reputation for taci- 
 turnity. There are many occasions on which it is 
 proper to be silent ; the taciturn lose many oppor- 
 tunities of information, from their disinclination to 
 ask questions. Silent is opposed to speaking ; taci- 
 turn, to loquacious. The taciturn are frequently 
 gloomy and sullen. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Some men are so fond of hearing their own voices, that they 
 are not , even when they have no, one to talk to. 
 
 He was by fits either very loquacious, or very . 
 
 It is prudent to be where we find that speaTdng 
 
 would be dangerous. 
 
 *' And just before the confines of the wood. 
 The gliding Lethe leads her flood." 
 
 He did not appear to be in good spirits that evening, and 
 I observed that he was unusually . 
 
 I have travelled for twenty-four hours in a stage coach with 
 three companions (?) who did not make a single remark, either 
 
 to me or to each other, but preserved a strict during 
 
 the whole journey. 
 
SrNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 271 
 
 Our country is not famed for great talkers ; Englishmen are 
 in general and reserved. 
 
 Women are generally much less than men ; this may 
 
 be accounted for in two ways : they are naturally more com- 
 municative ; and, secondly, they have not the same causes for 
 w^hich operate upon the other sex. 
 
 Wonderful — Marvellous, 
 
 A wonder is natural ; a marvel is incredible. 
 What is wonderful takes our senses, what is mar- 
 vellous takes our reason, by surprise. The wonder- 
 ful is opposed to the ordinary ; the marvellous is 
 opposed to the probable. Jugglers' tricks are won- 
 derful ; travellers' stories are marvellous. The 
 adventures of Baron Munchausen are full of the 
 marvellous ; nature is full of wonders. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " If a man, out of vanity, or from a desire of being in the 
 
 fashion, or in order to pass for ly wise, shall say that 
 
 Berkeley's doctrine is true, while at the same time his belief is 
 precisely the same with mine, I leave him to enjoy the fruits 
 of his hypocrisy." 
 
 " The fable includes whatever is supernatural, and 
 
 especially the machines of the gods." 
 
 " I could not sufficiently — at the intrepidity of these 
 
 diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk upon 
 my body." 
 
 " The common people of Spain have an Oriental passion for 
 
 story-telling, and are fond of the ." 
 
 *' How poor, how rich, how abject, how august. 
 
 How complicate, how is man ! 
 
 How passing he who made him such ! " 
 
272 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " causeth astonishment, or an immoveable posture 
 
 of the body ; for in the spirits fly not as in fear, but 
 
 onlj settle." 
 
 Sir John Mandeville, in the narrative of his travels, dedi- 
 cated to Edward III., inserted parts of such chronicles as 
 
 were then in existence, and introduced romantic and 
 
 tales of knight eiTantry, miraculous legends, monsters, 
 giants, &c. 
 
 Below — Beneath. 
 
 Below and beneath both refer to what is under 
 us ; but beneath is farther down than below. Small 
 fish sport below the surface of the waters. The 
 larger fish repose beneath the flopd. What is be- 
 neath is below us ; but what is below is not always 
 beneath. Those who are below us in rank are not 
 beneath us ; on the contrary, they deserve our re- 
 spect, if they conduct themselves virtuously. The 
 vicious and the profligate are beneath our consi- 
 deration. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The noble Venetians think themselves at least equal to the 
 electors of the empire, and but one degree kings. 
 
 He will do nothing that is his high station, nor omit 
 
 doing any thing which becomes it. 
 
 Standing on the summit of a high rock, when I looked down 
 
 into the cavern me, I was seized with such a giddiness, 
 
 that I M'as obliged to sit down for fear of falling. 
 
 His brother, though several years older, was him 
 
 in the school, and was often reproved by the master for his 
 idleness. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 273 
 
 All the numbers ten are called digits. 
 
 The house consists of three storeys, and a suite of kitchens 
 
 and offices the ground-floor. It stands in the midst 
 
 of a well- stocked garden, and is not more than a mile from 
 the high-road. . 
 
 Those who work in mines are forced to toil the whole day- 
 long, far the surface of the earth, and to be deprived of 
 
 the light of the sun and fresh air for a great portion of their 
 lives. 
 
 " This said, he led them up the mountain's brow, 
 
 And showed them all the shining fields ." 
 
 " Trembling, I view the dread abjss ." 
 
 Between — Among, 
 
 Among is derived from on many ; between, from 
 hy twain. The former is used in speaking of a 
 larger number ; the latter, never when more than 
 two are concerned. The etymologies of these two 
 prepositions will suggest their proper use. A man 
 is therefore between his friends when he has one on 
 each side of him ; and he is among his friends when 
 he is surrounded by several. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There exists not the slightest shadow of resemblance 
 
 the hieroglyphics of Egypt and the Chinese characters. 
 
 . those who are not exposed to the climate, the com- 
 plexion is fully as fair as that of the Spaniards and Por- 
 tuguese. 
 
 The prize-money was equally divided the ship's 
 
 crew. 
 
 The constant intercourse which subsisted for many cen- 
 T 
 
274 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 turies this country and France contributed largely to 
 
 the introduction of French terms into our language. 
 
 The object of all writers on synonymous terms is to explain 
 the distinction words which approximate in signi- 
 fication. 
 
 These two failures, to the aggregate amount of about two 
 millions of dollars, produced, as might be expected, a consi- 
 derable sensation and loud clamours the foreign mer- 
 chants at Canton. 
 
 The king endeavoured to promote kindlier and gentler feel- 
 ings all classes of his subjects, by encouraging and 
 
 patronizing such sports and pastimes as were consonant with 
 the spirit and habits of the age. 
 
 "There were the old Koman statues, several of 
 
 Venus in different postures and habits ; as there are many par- 
 ticular figures of her made after the same design." 
 
 " Friendship requires that it be two at least ; and 
 
 there can be no friendship where there are not two friends." 
 
 By— With. 
 
 The distinction to be made between these prepo- 
 sitions is to be found in the degree of connection 
 which they express. The etymological meaning of 
 the former is, close-to ; and that of the latter, join. 
 With expresses contact ; by, occasional proximity, 
 or a remoter connection. In speaking of external 
 things, we say — he came with his friend ; and, he 
 stood by me. In an abstract sense, the same differ- 
 ence holds good. The task was accomplished with 
 great difficulty. By constant diligence, he at length 
 acquired a perfect knowledge of the subject. 
 
 The manner or instrument of an action is gene- 
 
SYNONTMES OF INTENSITT. 275 
 
 rally preceded by with : by is used before the cause, 
 or direct agent, when a person. The man struck 
 the table with his hand. The table was struck by 
 the man. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The war was at that time carried on between the French and 
 the Italians the utmost inhumanity. 
 
 More misery is produced among us the irregularities 
 
 of our tempers, than real misfortunes. 
 
 Lord Anson being sent a squadron of five ships to 
 
 annoy the Spaniards in the Southern Ocean, sailed from Ports- 
 mouth, September 18th, 1740. 
 
 He signalized himself — his voyage round the world. 
 
 We are told that he was encouraged in his fondness for naval 
 history and bold adventures his father. 
 
 Caxton first introduced into England the art of printing 
 moveable types. 
 
 " The grammar of a language is sometimes to be carefully 
 
 studied a grown man." 
 
 " thy powerful blast. 
 
 Heat apace, and cool as fast." 
 
 Frequently — Often, 
 
 That is done often, which is repeated after short 
 intervals. That is done frequently, which is re- 
 peated after longer, but not always after the same 
 intervals of time. Thus, ^'Our uncle often dines 
 with us ;" but, ** we frequently have friends to dine 
 with us." " I often walk in the park, and frequently 
 meet some of my acquaintance there." The diiFer- 
 
 T 2 
 
276 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 ence between the two words is to be found not only 
 in the length of time which elapses between the acts 
 they qualify, but also in the variety of persons who 
 perform those acts. 
 
 JExercise. 
 
 What is done and carelessly, is liable to be 
 
 done wrong. 
 
 He • paid us visits, but did not come so as 
 
 his brother. 
 
 The wealth of individuals is dissipated by an extra- 
 vagant patronage of the fine arts. 
 
 Though he goes into society, I have not met 
 
 him at the houses of our common friends. 
 
 Men act wrong scarcely less from the defect of cou- 
 rage, than of knowledge and of prudence. 
 
 " How shall my brother sin against me, and I for- 
 give him ? " 
 
 It happens that young persons of an inquiring turn 
 
 of mind are discouraged from the pursuit of some studies by 
 faihng to perceive their ultimate object. 
 
 " Who does not more admire Cicero as an author than as 
 
 consul of Eome, and does not er talk of the celebrated 
 
 ^vriters of our own country in former ages, than of any among 
 their contemporaries ? " 
 
 "I could not without much grief observe how 
 
 ladies and gentlemen are at a loss for questions and an- 
 swers.** 
 
 Immediately — Instantly, 
 
 An act is performed instantly when -no time is 
 allowed to elapse before we set about it ; it is per- 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 277 
 
 formed immediately when no occupation is allowed 
 to intervene between the present act and the one 
 proposed. To do a thing instantly, we leave our 
 occupation. To do a thing immediately, we may 
 finish what we have in hand before commencing 
 what is required of us. What is done instantly is 
 done sooner than what is done immediately. One 
 who is writing a lettir may promise to go some- 
 where immediately, and yet not go till he have 
 finished his letter ; but he must begin nothing else 
 before he goes. One who is writing and promises 
 to go instantly, must leave off writing, and go at 
 once. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "Admiration is a short-Hved passion, that decays 
 
 upon growing familiar with the object." 
 
 " The poor man has caught cold on the river ; for our 
 order reached him when he was just returned from certain 
 visits in London, and he held it a matter of loyalty and con- 
 science to set forth again." 
 
 This good news arrived yesterday, and was spread 
 
 all over the town, so that this morning there was not a soul 
 in the place unacquainted with all the circumstances. 
 
 "Moses mentions the cause of the Deluge, the 
 
 rains and the waters ; and St. Peter mentions the more 
 remote and fundamental cause, viz. the constitution of the 
 heavens." 
 
 Seeing his friend struggling hard in the water, and in 
 
 imminent danger of his life, he stripped off his coat, 
 
 and jumped into the river to his assistance. 
 
 " The stroke of death denounced to-day 
 
 Removed far off." 
 
 T 3 
 
278 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Middle— Midst 
 
 Middle is from the Anglo-Saxon midy and dael, a 
 part or portion. Midst is the superlative or inten- 
 sive form of middle, and is a contraction of middle- 
 most; thus: middlemost — middest — midst. 
 
 The middle is that part of a substance which is 
 at an equal distance from bo<|l its ends. Midst is 
 that point in a substance which is at an equal dis- 
 tance from all parts of its circumference. The 
 middle of the street is half-waj between the houses 
 on one side, and those on the other. The middle of 
 June is half-way between the beginning and the 
 end of the month. The midst of the forest is that 
 point which is at an equal distance from all parts of 
 its circumference. In an abstract sense, midst is 
 more frequently used. Thus, we have : In the 
 midst of danger — of difficulties, &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The man had laid a wager that he would swim across the 
 river at its widest part in less than ten minutes ; he had ac- 
 complished half his task with ease, in less than half the 
 
 allotted time ; hut just when he had reached the ■ of 
 
 the stream, he was carried away by the force of the current, 
 and dro-svned. 
 
 Extended on the burning sand in the of the desert, 
 
 and suffering the greatest pain from fever brought on by 
 excessive fatigue and want of proper nourishment, I should 
 have perished, had it not been for the extreme kindness and 
 attention of my Arab guides. 
 
SYNONYMES OF INTENSITY. 279 
 
 In the of these imminent and appalling dangers, 
 
 he did not betray a sign of fear, but gave his orders with the 
 same calmness and composure as usual. 
 
 He was thankful in the • of his afflictions. 
 
 "A station of life is within reach of those con- 
 veniences which the lower orders of mankind must necessarily 
 want, and yet without embarrassment of greatness." 
 
 While— Whilst. 
 
 While is from the Saxon hwile, and signifies 
 time. Whilst is a superlative form, or a more in- 
 tensive degree of while, and is used for during the 
 whole time. " I shall write lohile you work," means 
 that during the time that you are working, I shall 
 occupy myself (perhaps occasionally) in writing. 
 " I shall write whilst you work," means that during 
 the whole time that you are occupied in working, I 
 shall not cease from writing. 
 
 Whilst is also often used to mark a contrast or 
 strong distinction between two things or actions. 
 " Make your mirth whilst I bear my misery." 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The two ruffians rushed out upon the traveller unawares ; 
 
 and having knocked him down, the one held his hands 
 
 the other rifled his pockets of his watch and money. 
 
 How did these two men behave in the same circumstances ? 
 The one seized with a malicious joy the opportunity thus 
 
 offered him of gratifying his revenge ; the other, with 
 
 a noble generosity, pardoned his enemies for those offences 
 against him which he could have then so easily punished. 
 T 4 
 
280 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 "Can he imagine that God sends forth an irresistible 
 
 strength against some sins ; in others he allows men a 
 
 power of repelling his grace ? " 
 
 , ^ we were all engaged in conversation, we heard some 
 
 beautiful music under our windows, which was continued at 
 intervals during the remainder of the evening. 
 
 Caesar was at Rome, an insurrection broke out 
 
 among his troops, who were too impatient to wait for the 
 triumph, and the advantages they hoped to derive from it. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 281 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 
 
 Another principle by which we may frequently 
 discover a difference between two approximating 
 meanings, is where one term is positive, and the 
 other negative ; that is, where the first expresses 
 some idea independently, and the second, the nega- 
 tion of the contrary idea. The two verbs, to shun 
 and to avoid, shew a difference of this sort ; to shun 
 is positively to turn away from, to avoid is merely 
 not to approach, or go in the way of. Between 
 many approximating words, we shall have no diffi- 
 culty in distinguishing, by the application of this 
 test. The difference between unable and not able, 
 inability and disability, and many others, become 
 thus immediately clear. The two words have the 
 same idea in common, but the one has a negative 
 quality not found in the other, and thus a distinc- 
 tion can be made. The pairs of words treated in 
 this section differ from each other other in conse- 
 quence of this principle. 
 
282 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Bankrupt — Insolvent. 
 
 A bankrupt is one who, in consequence of his 
 real or supposed inability to discharge his debts, 
 makes a legal surrender of all his goods into the 
 hands of his creditors. A man is in a state of in- 
 solvency when he is unable to pay his debts. The 
 term conveys a negative idea— the ivant of power 
 to pay. One may, therefore, become a bankrupt 
 without being insolvent ; for upon examination of 
 his affairs, he may find that he has sufficient pro- 
 perty to answer all the demands of his creditors. 
 Parties sometimes become bankrupts, in order to 
 collect their debts ; but this does not, of necessity, 
 involve their insolvency. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Though perfectly aware of his cy, he continued in 
 
 business several years, getting deeper and deeper in debt, 
 till at length it was absolutely necessary to stop payment, and 
 the firm was declared . 
 
 This cy did not, however, affect the credit of the 
 
 house to the extent expected, arid being weU supported by 
 several capitalists, the firm soon after resumed business. 
 
 The failure of the Mississippi scheme caused the ruin of 
 thousands, and very nearly involved France in a national 
 cy. 
 
 On comparing his receipts with his expenses, he found the 
 balance greatly against him ; and not having sufficient where- 
 with to discharge his just debts, he was obliged to declare his 
 cy. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 283 
 
 The having given up all his goods and other pro- 
 perty, was thrown into prison, there to await the decision of 
 the court. 
 
 Boldness — Fearlessness, 
 
 Boldness is positive ; it is a quality to be admired 
 in some cases ; but is frequently used in an un- 
 favourable sense. Fearlessness is negative ; it 
 signifies the absence of fear. We may be fearless 
 without being bold, or fearless because we are bold. 
 We should be bold in upholding the cause of truth 
 against the persecution of tyranny ; and in such a 
 cause, we should be fearless of the consequences of 
 our boldness. Boldness is indispensable to the ac- 
 complishment of any great undertaking. It also 
 marks the general character. Fearlessness marks a 
 temporary state of mind. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Such unheard-of prodigies hang o'er us, 
 
 As make the tremble." 
 
 "The careful hen 
 Calls all her chirping family around, 
 
 Fed and defended by the cock." 
 
 " A tongue and a feeble arm are the qualifications 
 
 of Drances in Virgil." 
 
 " — ' in the council board, 
 
 But cautious in the field, he shunned the sword." 
 
 A strong feature in Nelson's character was ; he 
 
 scarcely seemed to be aware of the nature of danger, or at any 
 rate, it never in the slightest degree agitated him. 
 
284 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Thirty- six baiTels of gunpowder were lodged in the cellar, 
 the whole covered up with faggots and billets ; the doors 
 — ly flung open, and every body admitted as if it contained 
 nothing dangerous. 
 
 He hurried into this speculation, of the consequences ; 
 
 and learnt, when too late, the extent of his losses. 
 
 It is an old saying that fortune befriends the . 
 
 Confusion — Disorder. 
 
 Confusion and disorder are, respectively, positive 
 and negative in their meanings. Confusion de- 
 notes the state of things being mixed up together ; 
 Disorder signifies the absence of order. Things 
 may be in disorder, without being in confusion. 
 When things are in confusion, they are so inter- 
 mingled, that it is impossible to find any one among 
 them that may be required. When things are in 
 disorder, they are not in their proper places. 
 Papers are in confusion when they are so huddled 
 together as to prevent the possibility of our getting 
 at any one we may wish to consult. Books are in 
 disorder when they are not their proper places on 
 the shelves of a library. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " "When you behold a man's affairs, through negligence and 
 
 misconduct, involved in. , you naturally conclude that 
 
 his ruin approaches." 
 
 The enemy suddenly fell upon them, and the troops were 
 
 thrown into such that they were soon completely 
 
 defeated. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 285 
 
 " Now seas and earth were in lost, 
 
 A world of waters, and without a coast." 
 There is nothing more strongly indicative of an irregular 
 
 mind than habits of . 
 
 " With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, 
 
 worse confounded." 
 
 When Necker retired from the ministry in 1781, he left the 
 
 French finances in a state of inextricable . 
 
 The that reigned throughout the whole army during 
 
 this disastrous retreat exceeds all belief. 
 
 " Since devotion itself may the mind, unless its heats 
 
 are tempered with caution or prudence, we should be particu- 
 larly careful to keep our reason as cool as possible." 
 
 Despair — Hopelessness, 
 
 Despair is positive ; hopelessness negative. He 
 who despairs, once hoped, but has now lost his hope. 
 The hopeless man may never have hoped. Des- 
 perate is deprived of hope; Hopeless is wanting 
 hope. Affairs are said to be hopeless when their 
 state is such as not to raise any hope of their success ; 
 an enterprise is said to be desperate, when all 
 hope is lost which we once entertained of its suc- 
 cess. To be desperate, we must have previously 
 hoped. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 In a part of Asia, the sick, when their case comes to be 
 
 thought , are carried out and laid on the earth before 
 
 they are dead, and left there." 
 
 " Are they indifferent, being used as signs of immoderate 
 and lamentation for the dead ? " 
 
286 EXERCISES OjS^ ENGLISH SYN0NY3IES, 
 
 " The CEneans wish in vain their wanted chief 
 
 of flight, more of relief." 
 
 " is the thought of the unattainableness of anv good, 
 
 which works differently in men's minds, sometimes producing 
 uneasiness or pain, sometimes rest and indolence." 
 
 I am a man of fortunes, that is, a man whose friends 
 
 are dead ; for I never aimed at any other fortune than in 
 friends. 
 
 " of ransom, and condemned to lie 
 
 In durance, doomed a lingering death to die." 
 " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; we are 
 
 perplexed, but not in .'* 
 
 " Before the ships a stand they made, 
 
 And fired the troops, and called the gods to aid." 
 " [He] watches still with greedy hope, to find 
 His v/ish and best advantage, us asunder ; 
 
 to circumvent us joined, where each 
 
 To other speedy aid might lend at need." 
 
 Disability — Inability, 
 
 Disability is a want of qualification to act. Jw- 
 ability is a natural want of power to act. One who 
 is disqualified, by reason of his nonage, from enter- 
 ing into a contract, labours under a legal disability. 
 One who confesses his inability to account for some 
 phenomenon, gives us to understand that nature has 
 not endowed him with the power to understand 
 its cause. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 There are many questions which have baflBied the most 
 sagacious penetration of the human intellect, and which the 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 287 
 
 deepest philosophy is to this day obliged to confess its - 
 to fathom. 
 
 He accepted, though much against his will, the office vacant 
 by the death of the professor, as he could plead neither 
 ignorance nor as an excuse for refusing it. 
 
 In the tenth and eleventh centuries, the Jews were per- 
 secuted in England with unrelenting cruelty ; and even at this 
 moment they labour under many legal in that country. 
 
 The party on the other side grounded their hopes of success 
 on the alleged of the plaintiff, and on the presump- 
 tion that, as he was a minor, he could not be a party to the 
 contract in question. 
 
 One who confesses his declares that he is not able 
 
 to perform some action, or explain some question. He who 
 
 labours under s, is unable to enter into certain contracts 
 
 or agreements. 
 
 " It is not from to discover what they ought to do 
 
 that men err in practice." 
 
 Want of age is a legal to contract a marriage. 
 
 The disadvantage which the Dissenters at present he under 
 
 of a — to receive church preferments, will be easily 
 
 remedied by the repeal of the test. 
 
 Disbelief — Unbelief, 
 
 Disbelief is an unwillingness, or a refusal, to be- 
 lieve. Unbelief is a want of belief. I express 
 my disbelief of what I have reason to think is false. 
 I express my unbelief of what I may be willing to 
 believe, but am not convinced is true. Disbelief is 
 already convinced of the falseness of what it does 
 not believe. Unbelief is open to conviction. I 
 disbelieve the statement of a perjured man. Many 
 
288 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 have expressed their unbelief of Christianity. Dis- 
 belief is more frequently applied to facts ; unbelief, 
 to opinions, truths, &c. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The magistrate having heard the prisoner's story, expressed 
 
 his unqualified ■ of every word he had uttered ; and 
 
 turning to the clerk of the office, directed him immediately to 
 make out his committal. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the pretensions to the art of magic 
 which this impostor so unblushingly asserted, few, even in those 
 superstitious times, were so far deceived by his artifices as not 
 to suspect him of fraud, and many even openly expressed their 
 of the art he professed. 
 
 One of the most pernicious effects of a close acquaintance 
 with the world is, that it renders us so famihar with the worst 
 parts of human nature, as almost to lead to our ■ in 
 
 many good qualities which really exist among men. 
 
 It is well known that a firm faith in the power of magic is 
 to this day common in all parts of the East ; and a dangerous 
 experiment would it be for any European traveller who, in 
 the pride of his philosophy, should venture there pubhcly to 
 express his in its agency. 
 
 Dulness — Insip idity. 
 
 In a concrete sense, — the idea conveyed by duU 
 nessiB the presence of something that conceals bright- 
 ness. In dull wreather, the sun is obscured by the 
 clouds. In a moral sense, it signifies that state in 
 which the animal spirits or intellectual powers are 
 veiled. Thus the term is positive in signification. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 289 
 
 Insipidity is, literally, an absence of flavour, and in a 
 secondary sense, conveys the idea of want of mind 
 or character. Insipidity is, then, a negative term. 
 Dulness casts a gloom over society. Insipidity de- 
 prives it of that spirit and originality of thought 
 and expression which constitutes its greatest charm. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 To those who are accustomed to a town life, rural occupa- 
 tions are perfectly . 
 
 They talk as absurdly and foolishly as they think ; indeed 
 I never had the ill-fortune to be present at a more con- 
 versation. 
 
 There is nothing new, nothing original in the style ; and 
 the observations are all and common-place. 
 
 If you wish to experience genuine , you should pass 
 
 a wet evening in the coffee-room of a country inn without a 
 book or companion. 
 
 The whole subject is so easy, and the explanation of it so 
 clear, that it was intelligible to the est comprehension. 
 
 Are you so as not to perceive his intention in 
 
 making this proposal ? 
 
 After reading a few pages, he suddenly closed the book, 
 and threw it down, disgusted with its . 
 
 Is it a question whether a day does not affect the 
 
 spirits so as to produce of intellect ? 
 
 Freedom — Liberty. 
 
 Freedom represents a positive — Liberty, a nega- 
 tive quality. The former denotes a natural state ; the 
 latter, an exemption from bonds or slavery. Those 
 who have never been slaves enjoy freedom ; those 
 U 
 
292 EXEHCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Injury — Disadvantage. 
 
 An injury expresses something positively harm- 
 ful : a disadvantage denotes the absence of some- 
 thing beneficial. Slander is likely to be injurious 
 to the interests of its object. It is of disadvantage 
 not to have an opportunity of mixing in society 
 with well-conducted and well-informed people. We 
 cannot inflict a disadvantage, though we may inflict 
 an injury. The writings of atheists are injurious 
 to society. The ignorant labour under many and 
 great disadvantages. Injury refers rather to the 
 agent ; disadvantage, to the state or condition of 
 things. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "Even the greatest actions of a celebrated person labour 
 
 under this , that, however surprising and extraordinary 
 
 they may be, they are no more than what are expected from 
 him." 
 
 It is prudent to conceal that which will be to our , 
 
 unless we are caUed upon to make the acknowledgment. 
 
 Want of education proves, in numberless instances, of the 
 greatest to him who has to make his way in the world. 
 
 There is nothing in the material world that is not exposed 
 to the of time, if not to those of actual violence. 
 
 The low marshy ground near his dwelling, and the damp 
 climate of the island, soon proved ous to his health. 
 
 Though his troops were posted most ously, the 
 
 Persian general determined on coming to an engagement 
 with the enemy, before their reinforcements should reach the 
 field. 
 
 In the heat of the battle, he received a blow from a sabre 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 293 
 
 which inflicted an on him that he never wholly re- 
 
 covered from. 
 
 Many books are highly ous to the morals of young 
 
 people. 
 
 A lie — An untruth. 
 
 A lie is positively, an untruth is negativel}^, 
 false. The former is intentional, the latter involun- 
 tary. He who says what he knows to be untrue 
 with an intention to deceive, tells a lie. He who 
 says what is untrue, but who is not aware of its 
 falseness, utters an untruth. The word untruth is 
 not unfrequently used as a softened expression for 
 a lie ; but this is not a strictly correct use of the 
 word. These two words may also be distinguished 
 by their active and passive meanings ; for a lie is 
 the active, and an untruth the passive, false. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Above all things, tell no ; no, not even in trifles." 
 
 " The nature of a consists in this, that it is a false 
 
 signification, knowingly and voluntarily used." 
 
 "There is little hope for common justice in this dispute, 
 from a man who lays the foundations of his reasonings in so 
 notorious an • ." 
 
 " When I hear my neighbour speak that which is not true, 
 and I say to him: *this is not true,' or 'this is false,' I only 
 convey to him the naked idea of his error ; this is the primary 
 
 idea : but if I say, ' it is a ,' the word carnes 
 
 also a secondary idea ; for it implies both the falsehood of the 
 speech, and my reproach and censure of the speaker." 
 u 3 
 
292 EXERCISES OTn" ENGLISH SYNONYMIES, 
 
 Injury — Disadvantage, 
 
 An injury expresses something positively harm- 
 ful : a disadvantage denotes the absence of some- 
 thing beneficial. Slander is likely to be injurious 
 to the interests of its object. It is of disadvantage 
 not to have an opportunity of mixing in society 
 with well-conducted and well-informed people. We 
 cannot inflict a disadvantage, though we may inflict 
 an injury. The writings of atheists are injurious 
 to society. The ignorant labour under many and 
 great disadvantages. Injury refers rather to the 
 agent ; disadvantage, to the state or condition of 
 things. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "Even the greatest actions of a celebrated person labour 
 
 under this , that, however surprising and extraordinary 
 
 they may be, they are no more than what are expected from 
 him." 
 
 It is prudent to conceal that which will be to our , 
 
 unless we are called upon to make the acknowledgment. 
 
 Want of education proves, in numberless instances, of the 
 greatest to him who has to make his way in the world. 
 
 There is nothing in the material world that is not exposed 
 to the of time, if not to those of actual violence. 
 
 The low marshy ground near his dwelling, and the damp 
 climate of the island, soon proved ous to his health. 
 
 Though his troops were posted most ously, the 
 
 Persian general determined on coming to an engagement 
 with the enemy, before their reinforcements should reach the 
 field. 
 
 In the heat of the battle, he received a blow from a sabre 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 293 
 
 which inflicted an on him that he never wholly re- 
 covered from. 
 
 Many books are highly ous to the morals of young 
 
 people. 
 
 A lie — An untruth. 
 
 A lie is positively, an untruth is negativel}^ 
 false. The former is intentional, the latter involun- 
 tary. He who says what he knows to be untrue 
 with an intention to deceive, tells a lie. He who 
 says what is untrue, but who is not aware of its 
 falseness, utters an untruth. The word untruth is 
 not unfrequently used as a softened expression for 
 a lie ; but this is not a strictly correct use of the 
 word. These two words may also be distinguished 
 by their active and passive meanings ; for a lie is 
 the active, and an untruth the passive, false. 
 
 Exercise* 
 
 "Above all things, tell no ; no, not even in trifles." 
 
 " The nature of a consists in this, that it is a false 
 
 signification, knowingly and voluntarily used." 
 
 "There is little hope for common justice in this dispute, 
 from a man who lays the foundations of his reasonings in so 
 notorious an ." 
 
 " When I hear my neighbour speak that which is not true, 
 and I say to him: *this is not true,' or 'this is false,' I only 
 convey to him the naked idea of his error ; this is the primary 
 
 idea : but if I say, ' it is a ,' the word carnes 
 
 also a secondary idea ; for it implies both the falsehood of the 
 speech, and my reproach and censure of the speaker." 
 u 3 
 
294 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " I can hardly consider this observation as an , much 
 
 less can I condemn the person who made it as a ." 
 
 " Thy better soul abhors a part, 
 
 Wise is thy voice, and noble is thy heart." 
 
 " In matter of speculation or practice, no can 
 
 possibly avail the patron and defender long," 
 
 "That a vessel filled with ashes will receive the like 
 quantity of water that it would have done if it had been 
 
 empty, is utterly , for the water will not go in by a 
 
 fifth part." 
 
 " Truth is the object of our understanding, as good is of our 
 will ; and the understanding can no more be delighted with a 
 , than the will can choose an apparent evil." 
 
 Neglect — Disregard, 
 
 In neglecting, we voluntarily leave undone what 
 we ought to do. The word conveys a positive idea. 
 Disregard is negative in its meaning. What is disre- 
 garded does not strike the mind at all. We neglect 
 knowingly ; we disregard from want of thought or 
 attention to the subject. Many neglect the perform- 
 ance of their duties. The prudent advice of our 
 superiors is often disregarded. We neglect to act ; 
 we disregard what is already said or done. The boy 
 disregarded his master's orders, and neglected to 
 prepare his lessons. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The new notion that has prevailed of late years, that the 
 Christian religion is httle more than a good system of morality, 
 must of course draw on a to spiritual exercises. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 295 
 
 By obstinately acting against the advice of his best friends, 
 
 and shewing an utter to the warnings of his relatives, 
 
 he involved himself in difficulties from which he could not 
 extricate himself for many years. 
 
 He was severely punished for thus ing the injunc- 
 tions of his preceptor. 
 
 . ^ "Beauty's a charm, but soon the charm will pass ; 
 
 White lilies lie on the plain, 
 
 While dusky hyacinths for use remain." 
 
 As he to use the remedies prescribed for him by the 
 
 doctor, his health grew soon worse, and he suffered a very 
 severe illness. 
 
 Young people should never any thing that is said 
 
 to them by their superiors ; nor should they any duty 
 
 which they are enjoined to perform. 
 
 No one can tell into what trouble the of a single 
 
 duty may bring him. 
 
 of this warning was the cause of all his misfortunes. 
 
 Patient — Invalid. 
 
 Patient, from the Latin "patiens" (suffering), 
 signifies one who is suffering under disease. Invalid, 
 from the Latin " invalidus," signifies one not strong 
 or in good health. Patient is a positive, invalid a 
 negative, term. In the one case, there is the pre- 
 sence of suffering ; in the other, the absence of 
 strength. One may be an invalid without being a 
 patient ; he may be also a patient without being an 
 invalid. Old soldiers are called invalids when they 
 are no longer able to bear the fatigues of warfare; 
 but they are not, of necessity, patients. He who is 
 u 4 
 
296 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONmES. 
 
 under the surgeon's care for a broken arm, is a 
 patient, but not, therefore, an invalid. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 My poor friend is now a confirmed ; he is very 
 
 seldom able to go out of doors ; and when he does, it is always 
 on crutches, or drawn in a Bath-chair. 
 
 The house is well situated on a gravelly soil, looking to the 
 south, and on the slope of a hill ; altogether an excellent 
 situation for s. 
 
 On calling to see his — the next day, the doctor found 
 
 him so much improved, that he allowed him to take moderate 
 exercise, and a small portion of animal food. 
 
 The bore this painful operation with heroic fortitude ; 
 
 and within three days afterwards, was sufficiently recovered 
 to leave the hospital. 
 
 The weather and climate were both so unfavom-able to the 
 expedition, that three months after they quitted England they 
 had as many as two hundred of their number s. 
 
 The doctor ordered his to go to bed without delay, 
 
 and keep himself well wrapped up. 
 
 Profaneness — Irreligion, 
 
 Profaneness is of a more heinous nature than 
 irreligion. It consists, not in the absence of regard, 
 but in the positive contempt and the open outrage 
 of the laws and doctrines of religion. The profane 
 man treats religion not merely as a matter of indif- 
 ference ; he sneers at its doctrines, and ridicules its 
 practice. Applied to things, profane is employed to 
 distinguish what is temporal from what is expressly 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 297 
 
 spiritual in its nature. The irreligious have no re- 
 gard for religion, but do not openly oppose her 
 laws. All who are not positively actuated by the 
 principles of religion may be termed irreligious. 
 Applied to things, the term irreligious seems more 
 positive, for an irreligious work is not one which 
 contains no religious sentiments, but one which 
 contains sentiments or opinions detrimental to re- 
 ligion. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 There is always found more in a large and densely 
 
 crowded city, than in the country ; for there, a man's conduct 
 is more concealed from the pubhc eye, and crimes of every 
 kind are committed with greater impunity. 
 
 " An officer of the army in Koman Catholic countries would 
 
 be afraid to pass for an man, if he should be seen to 
 
 go to bed without offering up his devotions." 
 
 " Sirrah, if a thunderbolt does not strike thee dead before I 
 
 come at thee, I shall not fail to chastise thee for thy to 
 
 thy Maker, and thy sauciness to His servant." 
 
 A long course of reckless profligacy had made this un- 
 fortunate man familiar with all the abandoned characters of 
 the metropoUs ; and he Avas now sunk into the lowest depth 
 of vice and . 
 
 In the mean time, Themistocles wrote to the Athenian 
 magistrates, urging them to hasten the work ; and desiring 
 
 they would spare no building, sacred or , in collecting 
 
 materials for building their fortifications. 
 — 4 — 
 
 Separation — Disunion. 
 
 In a separation^ the parts which make up the 
 whole of any one object are removed from each 
 
298 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 other. Separation involves the idea of a positive 
 removal. Disunion signifies a want or absence of 
 union. It is that state of things in which the parts 
 or members no longer hold together so as to make 
 up the one body to which they belong. Disunion in 
 a society will frequently effect a separation of its 
 members. Disunion arises from a want of amicable 
 feeling ; but it does not of necessity include a sepa- 
 ration. This latter term does not apply to abstract 
 ideas, it is only said of corporeal bodies. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The of the people from their government is a maxim 
 
 that the French republicans never have abandoned and never 
 will abandon. 
 
 " I pray let me retain some room, though never so little, in 
 your thoughts, during the time of this our ." 
 
 Where there is discord, there must be , and this is 
 
 frequently followed by . 
 
 The Declaration of Independence completed the of 
 
 the United States from the mother country. 
 
 At this moment great prevails in the United States 
 
 of America on the subject of slavery ; the Northern States, or 
 Abolitionists as they are called, being strongly opposed to the 
 practice, and the Southern States as violently in its favour. 
 
 in a family cannot fail to produce evil to all its 
 
 embers. 
 
 The government used every art to effect a of their 
 
 two enemies, but in vain. 
 
P0S1TI7E AND NEGATIVE STNONTMES. 299 
 
 Simulation — Dissimulation, 
 
 Simulation is a positive term. He who simulates 
 endeavours to make himself appear like what he is 
 not. Dissimulation conveys a negative idea. He 
 who practises dissimulation endeavours to make 
 himself appear unlike what he really is. The hypo- 
 crite simulates, for he puts on the semblance of 
 virtue to recommend himself to the virtuous. The 
 dissembler conceals his vices when he wishes to im- 
 pose upon the simple or ignorant. Simulation puts 
 on something outwardly. Dissimulation conceals 
 the reality.* 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 It was a maxim of Louis XI. of France, that was 
 
 necessary in order to know how to govern.f 
 
 No one knows to what an extent the arts of are 
 
 practised in the world. 
 
 To assume the appearance of virtue in order to conceal your 
 real character is . 
 
 Hypocrisy puts on the mask of . 
 
 Strife — Discord, 
 
 Strife, from " to strive," denotes the positive act of 
 striving angrily. Discord must exist w^here there is 
 
 * This difference explains the expression Sallust applies 
 to the character of Catiline: — "Cujuslibet rei, simulatorjac 
 dissimulator." 
 
 f Brantome says, that Louis would allow his son Charles to 
 learn no other Latin than his own favorite maxim, " Qui nescit 
 dissimulare, nescit regnare." 
 
300 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONY.MES. 
 
 Strife ; but the two words have nevertheless a distinct 
 signification. Discord is a negative term : it denotes 
 a want of unity, and is displayed in various w^ays ; 
 by looks, manner, gestures, &c. Strife is expressed 
 by words or acts of violence. Discord arises from 
 a want of agreement in opinion. Strife is generally 
 caused by a matter of personal interest. Discord in 
 councils or assemblies arises from strong difference 
 of opinion. Strife is accompanied with a desire of 
 gaining the superiority. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " What dire effects from civil flow ! " 
 
 The subject of Homer's Hiad is the that took place 
 
 between Achilles and Agamemnon. 
 
 is the greatest enemy to peace between neighbours. 
 
 The apple thrown into the assembly at the mamage of 
 
 Peleus and Thetis, produced among the Goddesses 
 
 present. 
 
 Of all things is most fatal to the happiness of 
 
 families. 
 
 " A solid and substantial greatness of soul looks down with 
 a generous neglect on the censures and applauses of the 
 multitude, and places a man beyond the little noise and 
 
 of tongues." 
 
 " Where there is then no good 
 
 For which to strive, no can grow up there 
 
 From faction." 
 
 When bad tempers that are under no control come in fre- 
 quent collision, perpetual will b3 the consequence. 
 
 is frequently produced by the want of an accommo- 
 dating temper. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 301 
 
 Suspicion — Distrust 
 
 Suspicion imputes positive evil ; distrust imputes 
 no good. He who is suspicious of another's honesty 
 will abstain from any dealings with him. He who 
 distrusts another's prudence or discretion, will 
 abstain from entrusting him with his secrets. When 
 we suspect others, we imagine we have grounds for 
 concluding that they have acted in a certain way. 
 When we distrust others, we have reason to think 
 it likely that they would act imprudently or impro- 
 perly, if trusted. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "Before strangers, Pitt had something of the scholar's 
 timidity and ." 
 
 Nothing can be more criminal than a in Providence. 
 
 " Too great a proneness to leads us to many acts of 
 
 injustice towards others." 
 
 It is a great defect of character to be of our own 
 
 powers. 
 
 His gentleness of manner and frankness of demeanour 
 
 removed from him every of being concerned in this 
 
 dark affair. 
 
 " And oft, though wisdom wake, sleeps 
 
 At wisdom's gate, and to simphcity 
 Resigns her charge." 
 
 A temper is a source of the greatest unhappiness. 
 
 Being of liis agent's honesty, the planter employed 
 
 a confidential servant, who had hved several years with him, 
 to manage this affair. 
 
 I recommend you not to engage in any matter of business 
 with this man ; as I have strong of his honour. 
 
302 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Though I have no great opinion of the means of him you 
 
 propose to take as your partner, my do not extend to 
 
 his character. 
 
 Barbarous — Inhuman. 
 Barbarous and inhuman are both higher degrees 
 of ''cruel;" but barbarity expresses a positive love of 
 cruelty, whilst inhumanity denotes the cruelty re- 
 sulting from a want of the natural feelings of kind- 
 ness and tenderness which are common to human 
 beings. A barbarous man takes pleasure in inflict- 
 ting pain ; an inhuman man is heedless of the pain 
 he gives others. Barbarity delights in cruelty. 
 Many of the Roman Emperors committed the 
 most atrocious barbarities. Inhumanity has no 
 feeling for the miseries of others. The slave-trade 
 is an inhuman traffic. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " By their usage, he died in a few days, to the grid 
 
 of all that knew him." 
 
 " A just war may be prosecuted in a very unjust manner ; 
 
 by perfidious breaches of our word, by cruelties, and 
 
 by assassinations." 
 
 " Each social feeling fell, 
 
 And joyless ty pervades 
 
 And petrifies the heart." 
 
 " The unfortunate young prince was ly assassinated 
 
 in his mother's arms." 
 
 "Among the s he exercised fluring his progress, 
 
 none was more horrible than the massacre of the Alexandrians ; 
 he led the people out of the city, surrounded them with his 
 soldiers, and ordered them all to be cut down." 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYN0NY3IES. 303 
 
 " The more these praises were enlarged, the more - 
 was the punishment, and the sufferer more innocent." 
 
 " Whether it was that her son had instigated it, or that she 
 had herself given some offence, or from mere wantonness of 
 
 tj, Henry now gave orders for the execution of the 
 
 Countess of Salisbury." 
 
 " Eelentless love the cruel mother led 
 The blood of her unhappy babes to shed ; 
 Love lent the sword, the mother struck the blow, 
 she, but more thou." 
 
 Boundless — Unlimited, 
 
 Boundless is a positive term ; it is applied to that 
 which has no natural or conceivable bounds. What 
 is unlimited might have, and perhaps ought to have, 
 limits, but has them not. The term is negative in 
 its signification. Space is boundless. The mercy 
 of God is boundless. An unlimited power generally 
 produces bad effects. Curiosity is often unlimited ; 
 but it should be limited to proper objects. An 
 unlimited use of money often leads to extravagance 
 and ruin. 
 
 Eitercise, 
 
 We were exposed for four days and four nights on the 
 
 surface of a ocean, with scarcely food enough to keep 
 
 us alive, and suffering intensely from the severe cold. 
 
 No one who has not experienced it can conceive the 
 horrors of passing a night in the midst of the desert ; the 
 tracts of sand, the utter absence of vegetation, the 
 
304 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 want of water, and the fear of wild beasts combine to make 
 an impression never to be effaced from the traveller's re- 
 membrance. 
 
 The supplies of money he received from home did 
 
 but stimulate him to further excesses ; and it was soon 
 found that his extravagance had involved him in inextricable 
 ruin. 
 
 From his avarice, and the cruel and unjust conduct 
 
 to which it led him, this man soon became an object of 
 scorn and detestation to the whole country round. 
 
 This young man's use of money led to ex- 
 travagance. 
 
 An gratification of the pleasures of sense reduces 
 
 man to a level with the lower animals. 
 
 Changeable — Inconstant 
 
 A changeable character is one who habitually 
 rejects what he has adopted, to take up a new 
 opinion. Inconstant people like nothing for a long 
 time together : but inconstancy does not imply the 
 adoption of something new ; it expresses merely the 
 incapacity to remain fixed. Changeable denotes a 
 tendency to take up one thing instead of another ; 
 inconstancy, a want of power to continue in the 
 same mind. A man of changeable temper is ever 
 embracing new views, ideas, doctrines, &c. The 
 inconstant give up or abandon their views from an 
 inability to retain them long. Changeableness is a 
 fault of commission : inconstancy, of omission. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 305 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I have no taste 
 Of popular applause : the noisy praise 
 
 Of giddy crowds as the winds." 
 
 Those who are in then* views and plans are par- 
 ticularly unfit to govern a state. 
 
 For the there can be neither love, friendship, nor 
 
 virtue in the world. 
 
 One of the defects of Louis Le Debonnaire's character was 
 
 ; he was continually, from some fresh motive, or some 
 
 new weakness, altering what he professed to have irrevocably 
 fixed. 
 The people at length began to feel that contempt for him, 
 
 which his temper naturally called forth. 
 
 " The dew, the blossoms of the tree 
 
 With charms shine ; 
 
 Their charms were his, but woe to me ! 
 Their constancy was mine/' 
 — ♦ — 
 Confused — Indistinct, 
 These terms may be distinguished from each other 
 by the positive and negative ideas which they re- 
 spectively convey. Confused is positive ; it marks 
 a degree of indistinctness. Indistinct is negative ; 
 it marks a want of distinctness. Things are confused, 
 when they are so mingled together, that we cannot 
 distinguish any individuals among them. Objects 
 are indistinct when circumstances will not allow us 
 to reduce them to a definite form : when they pre- 
 sent a hazy outline, but no positive or clear shape. 
 A ship in a fog presents an indistinct appearance. 
 A confused mind cannot determine how to act. 
 
806 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The general accounts we gain from some books leave but 
 ideas of their subjects on the mind. 
 
 The author of this theory evidently had but notions 
 
 of his own views ; for he has expressed them so ly, that 
 
 it is impossible to understand them. 
 
 " He that enters a town at night, surv^eys it in the morn- 
 ing, and then hastens to another place, may please himself for 
 
 a time with a hasty change of scene and a remembrance 
 
 of palaces and churches." 
 
 With such a mass of papers, accounts, and docu- 
 ments, how wiU it ever be possible for me to arrange your 
 affairs ? 
 
 When the mind is , it frequently produces a mum- 
 bling and ■ articulation. 
 
 Whenever men think ly, they cannot help expressing 
 
 themselves ly. 
 
 It is impossible to comprehend clearly what we conceive 
 
 ly. 
 
 On clearing the headland, we approached an apparently 
 
 large object rendered so by the hazy weather, that we 
 
 did not discover it was a frigate till we were close along- 
 side. 
 
 Cool — Dispassionate. 
 
 Cool is taken positively; it denotes a total 
 freedom from passion. Dispassionate is taken 
 negatively ; it signifies the absence of passion. 
 Those who are prone to violent passion should 
 endeavour to become dispassionate. In circum- 
 stances of danger, our safety frequently depends on 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 307 
 
 our cool demeanour. In arguing, we should con- 
 duct ourselves dispassionately. Persons of cool 
 temperament are naturally not excitable. To avoid 
 quarrels, we should be dispassionate in our manner. 
 Without coolness, we cannot command presence 
 of mind. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The jealous man's disease is of so malignant a nature, that 
 it converts all it takes into its own nourishment. A 
 
 behaviour is interpreted as an instance of aversion ; a fond 
 one raises his suspicions." 
 
 " As to violence, the lady has infinitely the better of the 
 
 gentleman. Nothing can be more polite, — , or sensible, 
 
 than his manner of managing the dispute." 
 
 " I conceived this poem, and gave loose to a degree of re- 
 sentment, which perhaps I ought not to ha^e indulged, but 
 which in a hour, I cannot altogether condemn." 
 
 Nothing could exceed the ■ impudence with which 
 
 he denied all knowledge of the transaction, though the 
 evidence against him was quite conclusive on the subject. 
 
 Let us put away all recrimination, and argue the matter 
 — ly and — ly. 
 
 In times of imminent danger, the captain displayed the 
 greatest ness and com-age. 
 
 Consider the whole subject ly, and come to a rea- 
 sonable conclusion as to its general effects. 
 
 Cruel — Unfeeling. 
 
 Cruel implies a delight in inflicting pain ; it seeks 
 to wound; either physically or morally. It qualifies 
 X 2 
 
308 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 positively. When we saj that a man is unfeeling 
 we convey a negative idea, — viz. that he does not 
 possess that kindness of disposition to his fellow 
 creatures which exists in most people — that he is 
 heedless of the sufferings of others ; but it does not 
 imply that he would himself inflict them. An un- 
 feeling remark is made by one who cares not for 
 the effect it may produce on others. A cruel action 
 is done intentionally, with the view of harming 
 another. There is a want of " the milk of human 
 kindness" in the unfeeling ; there is the presence of 
 a desire to give pain in the cruel. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Domitian was notorious for his disposition ; he is 
 
 well known to have taken great delight in killing flies. 
 
 ** A head ill suits a manly mind." 
 
 " Single men, though they be many times more charitable, 
 
 on the other side are more , because their tenderness 
 
 is not so oft called upon." 
 
 They who enjoy an uninterrupted state of good health are 
 often in cases of others' sickness. 
 
 That man is who does not regard the miseries of his 
 
 fellow-beings. 
 
 The monster viewed their terrible sufferings un- 
 moved. 
 
 The earliest symptoms of a disposition which a 
 
 child shows is by his ill-treatment of animals. 
 
 For this treatment of the poor horse, he was fined 
 
 a considerable sum of money. 
 
 " Relentless love the mother led 
 
 The blcod of her unhappy babes to shed." 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 309 
 
 Defective — Imperfect, 
 
 Defective marks a positive degree of imperfecr 
 tion ; it qualifies what is natural to man as an indi- 
 vidual, but not as a species ; it shows a general 
 deviation from the ordinary constitution of man. 
 Thus we speak of a defective temper, speech, &c. 
 The term imperfect is negative, it refers to a loant 
 of perfection; a want arising from the infirmity of 
 human nature. Every one has some point of im- 
 perfection ; derived from the very nature of his 
 being. The term qualifies whatever falls short of 
 the standard of perfection raised in our own minds* 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Providence, for the most part, sets us upon a level ; if it 
 renders us perfect in one accomplishment, it generally leaves 
 us in another." 
 
 " The low race of men take a secret pleasure in finding an 
 eminent character levelled to their condition by a report of 
 
 its , and keep themselves in countenance, though they 
 
 are excelled in a thousand virtues, if they believe that they 
 have in common with a great person any one fault." 
 
 " It is a pleasant story, that we, forsooth, who are the only 
 — creatures in the universe, are the only beings that will 
 not allow of ." 
 
 " We live in a reign of human infirmity, where every one 
 has ." 
 
 This book is , for it wants the whole of the last 
 
 chapter. 
 
 To be over-anxious to know what opinions our acquaint- 
 ances form of us, and to give ourselves trouble on that ac- 
 count, is a proof of a character. 
 
 X 3 
 
310 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 We should make allowances for human , and not 
 
 expect too much of others ; remembering that others will then 
 have an equal right to expect the same of ourselves. 
 
 Different — Unlike, 
 
 Different conveys a positive idea. As far as two 
 things are not identical, they must be different ; but 
 they may be different without being unlike. Unlike 
 is negative in meaning, and points to a want or ab- 
 sence of resemblance. Things differ in generals, 
 they are unlike in particulars. Between two things 
 that are different, we may draw a comparison, 
 which cannot be done between things that are un- 
 like. Blue is different from green. A circle is 
 unlike a square. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " How far those chiefs of race divine, 
 
 How vast the of their deeds and mine ! " 
 
 The same thing often affects people ly. 
 
 " How is the view of past life in the man who is 
 
 grown old in knowledge and wisdom, from that of him who 
 is growTi old in ignorance and folly !" 
 
 I cannot understand how any one could compare these two 
 persons together ; for my part, I never saw two minds more 
 
 The ■ between these two words lies in this ; that the 
 
 one is used in a general sense, whereas the other is properly 
 applied only in particular cases. 
 
 " It is astonishing to consider the degrees of care 
 
 that descend from the parent to the young, so far as is ab- 
 solutely necessary for the leaving a posterity." 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 311 
 
 I was not surprised to hear that the two travellers had 
 
 quarrelled on reaching Geneva : they were so in temper 
 
 and habits, that I never expected they would perform the 
 whole journey together. 
 
 " "We do not know in what either reason or instinct consists, 
 and, therefore, cannot tell with exactness in what they 
 
 Disaffected — Unfavourable, 
 
 The disaffected are inclined to do harm ; they 
 are positively desirous of injuring an individual, 
 government, &c. The unfavourable would not 
 stand in the way ; but, on the other hand, they 
 would not assist the views of a candidate for public 
 honours, or the promoters of some new theory, &c. 
 The disaffected oppose positively and openly : the 
 unfavourable oppose negatively and tacitly. It is 
 then evident that the disaifected are much more 
 dangerous enemies than the unfavourable ; since the 
 former are actively engaged against you ; where- 
 as the latter merely withhold from you all the 
 support they may have it in their power to oflTer 
 you. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Upon examination, it was found that many more than they 
 
 had suspected were strongly to the cause. 
 
 " Yet, I protest, it is no salt desire 
 Of seeing countries shifting for a religion ; 
 
 Nor any • ■ to the state, 
 
 Where I was bred, and unto which I owe 
 My dearest plots, hath brought me out " 
 X 4 
 
312 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Many were to the usurpation of Oliver CromweU, 
 
 because they would not be disloyal to their king. 
 
 This reply being to then: designs, it was deemed 
 
 expedient to defer the execution of the plot till circumstances 
 should be more propitious. 
 
 " I must confess that under these circumstances, my opinion 
 is to any further extension of the franchise." 
 
 None of his friends were to this project ; and many 
 
 of them strongly dissuaded him from entertaining any thoughts 
 on the subject. 
 
 The attempt to introduce Episcopacy into Scotland greatly 
 increased the number of those to the English govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Disrespectful — VndutifuL 
 
 The disrespectful studiously and intentionally 
 withhold the respect they ought to feel and pay to 
 their superiors. The term expresses a positive 
 state of mind. The undutiful are deficient in the 
 feelings with which they should regard their 
 parents or elders. The former adopt an unbecom- 
 ing tone and manner towards those whom they 
 should respect. The latter do not perform the du- 
 ties that are naturally and reasonably expected 
 I'rom them. Disrespectful is used in a variety of 
 relations. Undutiful refers to the relation between 
 child and parent. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Eor one cruel parent, we meet with a thousand 
 
 children." 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMIES. 313 
 
 Our behaviour towards our superiors in dignity, age, learn- 
 ing, or any distinguished excellence, should never be - 
 
 or uncivil. 
 
 His manners to his preceptors scandalised the whole 
 
 school, and he soon became the most unpopular boy among 
 them. 
 
 The conduct of Henry n.'s sons towards their father 
 
 embittered the last hours of that great monarch. 
 
 Nothing more strongly indicates want of proper feeling, 
 than behaviour towards the old. 
 
 As a child during the period of his childhood ought to make 
 
 his parents' will to be his law, nothing can excuse 
 
 conduct. 
 
 Those who are to their parents are very likely to be 
 
 to their superiors in every station of life. 
 
 Distracted — Unsettled, 
 
 Distracted refers to the state of that man's 
 mind which is violently divided by several objects 
 at once, and torn or hurried from the one to the 
 other. The distracted cannot determine what line 
 of conduct they shall adopt. Unsettled is nega- 
 tive in meaning: it denotes the absence of a fixed 
 opinion or state of things. The former word refers 
 rather to the act ; the latter, to the frame of mind 
 or general disposition. Confused sounds, various 
 importunities, distract our attention. We are 
 sometimes unsettled in matters of opinion, belief, 
 &c. The distracted are prevented from acting ; the 
 unsettled from thinking satisfactorily. 
 
314 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The man can be present at nothing, as all objects 
 
 strike him with equal force ; his thoughts are in a state of 
 vacillation and confusion." 
 
 " He used to rave for his Marianne, and call upon her in his 
 fits," 
 
 Ever since my last conversation with you my mind has been 
 
 much on the subject we then discussed ; and I find 
 
 great difficulty in deciding on which view of the question I 
 shall adopt. 
 
 His restless manner and troubled countenance betrayed the 
 state of his mind. 
 
 My head is so by the noise of the children, and the 
 
 multifarious business I have to attend to, that I scarcely know 
 where I am, or what I am doing. 
 
 During the whole of this reign, the country was by 
 
 civil wars and rebellions. 
 
 " Uncertain and as Cicero was, he seems fired with 
 
 the contemplation of immortality." 
 
 In the reign of Queen Anne, politics were much by 
 
 the quarrels between the Whigs and Tories. 
 
 Doubtful — Uncertain. 
 Doubtful expresses a positive, uncertain a nega- 
 tive, state of mind. Doubt is opposed to belief; 
 uncertainty, to conviction. Again, we are in doubt 
 how to act ; Tve are uncertain of what will happen. 
 Doubtful denotes the presence — uncertain the ab- 
 sence — of a state of mind. One may be doubtful 
 which of two plans to adopt, because of his uncer- 
 tainty of the result in either case. Remove his 
 uncertainty, and then he can make up his mind. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. S}5 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 In cases, it is always advisable for a judge to lean 
 
 to the side of mercy. 
 
 It is very whether we shall see our friend to-night 
 
 or not. 
 
 " The Greeks with slain Tlepolemus retired, 
 Whose fall Ulysses viewed with fury fired : 
 
 if Jove's great son he should pursue, 
 
 Or pour his vengeance on the Lycian crew." 
 
 The weather is so that we cannot yet fix a day for 
 
 our expedition. 
 
 I am still as to what course I shall adopt in this very 
 
 difficult matter. 
 
 It is no longer that the vessel has arrived safely. ' 
 
 Being of your present address, I send this note to 
 
 your usual town residence by hand. 
 
 It is a defect in the English language, that the rules for its 
 orthography and pronunciation are at present very . 
 
 Amidst opposing statements it is difficult toavoidun ty 
 
 concerning the real state of the case. 
 
 Whether the ceremony will take place is still very . 
 
 It is extremely unpleasant to be in a state of . 
 
 Excessive — Immoderate, 
 
 He who exceeds, goes beyond — he who is im- 
 moderatCy does not keep within — bounds. Con- 
 sequently, tbe distinction between excessive and 
 immoderate is as positive and negative. They who 
 load the stomach to satiety eat to excess. They 
 who do not restrain their appetites within the 
 bounds prescribed by nature, eat immoderately. 
 
316 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 An immoderate indulgence in the pleasures of the 
 table produces uneasiness ; excessive indulgence in 
 the same pleasures puts us in danger of a surfeit or 
 apoplexy. Immoderate is the reverse of temperate ; 
 excessive of defective. Excessive is frequently- 
 used in a favourable sense ; immoderate, always in 
 a bad sense. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Who knows not the languor that attends every 
 
 indulgence in pleasure ? 
 
 " One of the first objects of wish to every one is to maintain 
 a proper place and rank in society ; this among the vain and 
 ambitious, is always the favourite aim. With them it rises 
 
 to expectations founded on their supposed talents and 
 
 imagined merits." 
 
 " A man must be ^ly stupid as well as uncharitable, 
 
 who beheves there is no vhtue but on his own side." 
 
 " One means very effectual for the preservation of health is 
 a quiet and cheerful mind, not afflicted by passions, or dis- 
 tracted with cares." 
 
 -—^— eating takes away sound sleep ; eating dis- 
 orders the digestive functions. 
 
 His death was caused by an use of opiates. 
 
 " Moderation is a virtue of no small importance to those 
 who find in every thing to be an evil." 
 
 *' It is wisely ordered in our present state that joy and fear, 
 hope and grief, should act alternately as checks and balances 
 upon each other, in order to prevent an in any of them." 
 
 Fa u Ity — Defective, 
 That is faulty which has what it ought not 
 to have ; that is defective which has not what it 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONTMES. 317 
 
 ought to have. What is faulty requires something 
 to be corrected. What is defective requires some- 
 thing to be supplied. A book containing a leaf 
 which belongs to another book, is faulty. A book 
 which wants a leaf is defective. The same distinc- 
 tion is to be made between fault and defect. The 
 former implies the presence of something wrong ; 
 the latter, the absence of something required. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The system was found to be in many points : the 
 
 aiTangement was so confused, that it not unfrequently puzzled 
 rather than enlightened the inqmrer ; and on some questions 
 connected with the subject, it gave no information whatever. 
 
 The book was very badly printed, and so , that there 
 
 was scarcely a page in which several emendations were not 
 . required. 
 
 In order to render the work useful, it was found necessary 
 to correct its and supply its . 
 
 It was not until several games had been played, that the 
 
 cards were found to be ; a discovery made by two of 
 
 the players throwing down the same card simultaneously ; 
 it was consequently agreed that all the money won should be 
 restored to its original owners. 
 
 It is perhaps, better that a work should be than 
 
 , for will happen in the heat of composition ; 
 
 whereas may generaEy be traced either to the author's 
 
 ignorance, or his imperfect knowledge. 
 
 " The low race of men take a secret pleasure in finding an 
 eminent character levelled to their condition by a report of its 
 
 , and keep themselves in countenance, though they are 
 
 excelled in a thousand virtues, if they believe that they have 
 in common with a great person any one ." 
 
318 EXERCISES OX EXGLISH SYXOXYI^IES. 
 
 Guiltless — Innocent, 
 
 The term guiltless points to a man's general con- 
 duct ; innocent refers to a particular charge. In 
 guiltless there is the want of intention to do harm ; 
 in innocent there is merely the absence of the act. 
 A man of extremely immoral character may be 
 innocent of some particular charge. In one sense, 
 no one is guiltless. This term would properly qualify 
 the state of perfection attributed to man before the 
 Fall. Guiltless is never properly said of things : in- 
 nocent is applied both to persons and things. A 
 conversation, recreation, occupation, &c., may be 
 innocent, in the sense of their doing no harm. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Ah ! why should all mankind 
 
 Eor one man's fault thus be condemned, 
 
 If ? But from me what can proceed 
 
 But all corrupt ? " 
 
 " A man should endeavour to make the sphere of his 
 
 pleasures as wide as possible, that he may retire into them 
 with safety." 
 
 Dear lovely bowers of and ease, 
 
 Seats of my youth, when every sport could please ! 
 
 The investigation proved him to be wholly of any 
 
 intention to deceive the parties who had so confidently 
 entrusted their property to his keeping. 
 
 The trial lasted two whole days ; and resulted in the estab- 
 lishment of the prisoner's complete of all the charges 
 
 brought against him. 
 When Adam sees the several changes of nature about him, 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 319 
 
 he appears in a disorder of mind suitable to one who had 
 
 forfeited both his and happiness. 
 
 In the sight of God, no man is . 
 
 Hard — Difficult 
 Hard is a positive quality ; and a stronger term 
 than diffictdt What is difficult is not easy; but 
 it is not for that reason hard. There is something 
 in the nature of a thing that makes it hard; circum- 
 stances may cause a difficulty. A hard task will 
 give more trouble than a difficult one. Trivial 
 matters may present difficulties to some minds ; but 
 what is hard will give trouble to all minds, however 
 superior. It is hard to arrive at satisfactory con- 
 clusions upon abstruse subjects. Some children find 
 it difficult to learn to write. 
 
 JExercise. 
 
 " As Swift's years increased, his fits of giddiness and deafness 
 grew more frequent, and his deafness made conversation 
 
 He had now imposed upon himself a task ; he must 
 
 leave his family and dearest friends, and, withdrawn from 
 every social pleasure, devote himself for the next two years to 
 the completion of his work. 
 
 It was a matter for him to succeed ; as he was opposed 
 
 by aU the talent and influence of the country. 
 
 The death of his parents, and the consequent dependence 
 
 of his brothers on his exertions, was a trial for one so 
 
 young and inexperienced. 
 
 It was not to foresee that this undertaking would 
 
 fajL 
 
320 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 Through incessant and unwearied exertion, he at length ac- 
 complished his task. 
 
 Many truths that are to believe may be demon- 
 strated. 
 
 Things at first to understand, become easy by study 
 
 and reflection. 
 
 " The stings of Falsehood thou shalt try 
 And Unkindness' alter'd eye." 
 
 HI — Indisposed, 
 
 111 is positive ; it argues the presence of a malady. 
 Indisposed is negative ; it points to the absence of 
 our usual state of health. One may be indisposed 
 without being positively ill. Indisposition denotes 
 a slight uneasiness of body; illness is a more serious 
 matter ; it signifies a physical disorganization. A 
 man is ill of a fever ; he is indisposed with a slight 
 headache or cold. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 This is the first letter I have -written since my recovery from 
 a very severe . 
 
 This is not, as you imagine, an of the body, but the 
 
 mind's disease. 
 
 Feeling slightly , he had retired to his chamber to he 
 
 do-vvn for half an hour. 
 
 "While he was absent, news arrived of the alarming of 
 
 his favourite son. 
 
 His is not of so severe a nature as to confine him 
 
 to his room ; and he still goes through the ordinary business 
 of the day without much inconvenience. 
 
 Henry VII. in his last being conscience -stricken, 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 321 
 
 wished to restore the property he had extorted from his subjects, 
 and, in some cases, ordered restitution to be made. 
 
 Yesterday morning, after breakfast, his sister felt rather 
 
 — — ; since then, however, her has gradually been 
 
 assuming a more serious appearance, and she is now alarm- 
 ingly . 
 
 Being confined to his bed by a protracted , and 
 
 having no other means, during this time, to support his family, 
 the unfortunate man was obliged to sell almost every piece of 
 furniture in the house. 
 
 Lifeless — Inanimate, 
 
 Lifeless qualifies what once had life, but has 
 now lost it. Inanimate denotes objects that are 
 naturally without the will or power of moving or 
 acting. Wood, stone, earth, &c., are inanimate 
 objects. A dead lion is a lifeless creature. What 
 painters call " still life" is in fact a representation 
 of lifeless, not inanimate, nature. The term " inani- 
 mate" is fr'equently applied to persons as denoting 
 a want of animation in manner or expression. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " We may in some sort be said to have a society even with 
 
 the world." 
 
 The material world consists of objects which are by nature 
 
 The prisoner was brought from his cell into the court yard, 
 and a file of soldiers drawn up at the distance of about twenty 
 yards. His eyes having been bandaged, the fatal signal was 
 given, and he fell • to the ground. 
 
 I have seldom met with so an expression. 
 
322 EXERCISES ox ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 The vegetable kingdom can scarcely be called, in one 
 sense, . 
 
 On bursting open the door, he was found lying on the 
 ground, with his head towards the window, a corpse. 
 
 What endless lessons of morality may be derived from a 
 proper study of nature ! 
 
 Such an face can have no charms for any one ; it 
 
 betrays no feeling, shows no sympathy, and, in fine, is void of 
 all expression. 
 
 ThJ bird fell at the sportsman's feet. 
 
 Obstinate — Stubborn. 
 These words both imply a determination to persist 
 in our own judgment against the opinion or advice 
 of others. Obstinate denotes a positive, and stubborn 
 a negative, idea. An obstinate man will do what 
 he has determined upon. A stubborn man will not 
 do what is enjoined or advised by others. There 
 is an action in obstinacy; there is a refusal to act in 
 stubbornness. The former term refers rather to the 
 act ; the latter, to the disposition. An obstinate 
 man ruins himself by his acts of folly : a stubborn 
 child is insensible to kindness. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " If children be treated with some degree of indul- 
 gence, there may be hopes of correcting this faihng ; but 
 
 children are troublesome subjects of education, and 
 
 will sometimes baffle the utmost skiU and patience." 
 " But man we find the only creature, 
 Who, led by folly, combats nature ; 
 Who, when she loudly cries * forbear ! ' 
 -With fixes there," 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 323 
 
 " From whence he brought them to these savage parts, 
 
 And with science mollified their hearts." 
 
 interferes with a man's private conduct, and makes 
 
 him blind to right reason. 
 
 The of the general proved his rum ; he determined 
 
 to engage, notwithstanding the unfavourable disposition of 
 his men ; and this hasty step ended in his complete defeat. 
 
 A • disposition betrays itself mostly in those who are 
 
 bound to conform to the will of another. 
 
 The child persisted in his resolution not to perform 
 
 the task, and was not allowed any recreation during the re- 
 mainder of the day. 
 
 Perpetual — Incessant 
 
 Perpetual is a positive term. It qualifies what 
 admits of no termination. Incessant applies to what 
 goes on for a certain time without interruption ; it 
 means not ceasing during that time. What is in- 
 cessant does end at last, though it admits of no 
 interval while it lasts. What is perpetual may have 
 intervals, but is sure to recommence. Perpetual 
 wars are those which are renewed after short cessa- 
 tions of hostilities, and in which the quarrel seems 
 never likely to be made up. The Eomans were 
 perpetually, though not incessantly, at war. Some 
 people talk incessantly through a whole evening. 
 
 I Exercise, 
 
 " If affluence of fortune unhappily concur ta favour the in- 
 clinations of the youthful, amusements and diversions succeed 
 
 in a round. 
 
 Y 2 
 
324 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 The prince was ly extending his former improve- 
 ments, and beautifying the whole prospect with groves and 
 fountains. 
 
 Though extremely fatigued, and much inclined to sleep, I 
 
 was wholly prevented from getting any rest by the 
 
 noise of some children travelHng in the same carriage. 
 
 During the whole journey it was exceedingly cold, and it 
 rained ly. 
 
 This unfortunate man was never out of difficulties ; and 
 was ly involved in some scrape. 
 
 Among the lower orders, complaints are , though 
 
 they are frequently without a foundation. 
 
 In the tropical climates, at certain seasons the rain is . 
 
 The world and every thing it contains are subject to 
 
 change. 
 
 Promiscuous — Indiscriminate, 
 
 Promiscuous conveys a positive, indiscriminate 
 a negative idea. Promiscuous signifies thorouglily 
 mingled ; indiscriminate, without difference. The 
 former word regards the state of things ; the latter 
 refers to an act of the mind. A promiscuous heap 
 is one in which objects of various classes are all 
 mixed together. An indiscriminate choice is cha- 
 racterised by a want either of will or of power to 
 judge between things. A crowd composed either of 
 various classes or both sexes will be promiscuous. 
 An indiscriminate use of words must produce manj 
 faults in style. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE STNONYMES. 325 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " From this distribution of misery, the moralists have 
 
 ahvays derived one of their strongest moral arguments for a 
 future state." 
 
 " Victors and vanquished join cries." 
 
 His mind contained a heap of knowledge ; of ideas 
 
 in disorder : nothing was well digested or properly under- 
 stood. 
 
 During the violence of the storm, none of the passengers 
 were allowed to come on deck: the hatches were fastened 
 
 do-wn, and the cabin presented one scene of misery 
 
 and disordei? 
 
 In one of his papers on " The Pleasures of the Imagination," 
 Addison uses the words " fancy" and " imagination" ^ly. 
 
 "It is folly to level any charge ly against all the 
 
 members of any community or profession." 
 
 " A wild, where weeds, and flowers ■ shoot. 
 
 Or garden, tempting with forbidden fruit." 
 
 It is said that, according to the laws of Draco, all offences 
 were punished — ly by death. 
 
 A government characterised by severity, can never 
 
 become popular. 
 
 Refractory— Unruly, 
 
 Refractory qualifies a disposition to break through 
 settled rules ; it is positive in signification : a re- 
 fractory, child sets up a resistance to all rule — he 
 refuses to be ruled. On the other hand, unruly is 
 negative; it denotes a want of disposition to be 
 ruled, but not a determined opposition to authority. 
 An unruly child objects to be ruled. Eefractory 
 
326 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 applies to the act; unruly to the state of mind. 
 The tongue is called an unruly member, because it 
 gives trouble in ruling. Those are refractory who 
 openly oppose a rule or law by some act of intem- 
 perance. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The conduct of several boys in the upper classes was so 
 , that it was found necessary to expel them from the 
 
 school. 
 
 This measure produced a marked effect on the other 
 
 spirits ; and the whole school soon returned to t\vQ^ accustomed 
 duties. 
 
 His high spirits and disposition brought him into 
 
 continual disgrace. 
 
 He no longer indulged in that opposition to the rules 
 
 of the house which had at first characterised him. 
 
 " How hardly is the restive, will of man first tamed 
 
 and broke to duty." 
 
 No community can flourish long in which many 
 
 spirits oppose the enactment of such laws as the other 
 members may deem expedient for the well-being of the whole 
 society. 
 
 The volatile and capricious character of the French nation 
 
 renders them an extremely people ; and the 
 
 spirit with which they resist all the attempts of every form of 
 government to reduce them to order, has entailed incalculable 
 and lasting evils on the country. 
 
 Rude — Unpolished. 
 
 A rude man is positively and actively disagree- 
 able ; he says and does what annoys others, and what 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 327 
 
 is not consonant to the ideas of a refined or elegant 
 society. He who is unpolished wants refinement 
 and polish, but does not, of necessity, annoy others ; 
 he is negatively disagreeable. The rude have 
 qualities we could well dispense with ; the unpo- 
 lished have not those we would require of them. 
 The rude commit violent breaches of decorum ; the 
 unpolished do not know how to behave in society. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He both says and does such things, that it is im- 
 possible to remain long in his society. 
 
 The savage is not wholly destitute of the kindly 
 
 feelings of human nature. 
 
 Though very awkward and in his manners, he has 
 
 every wish to improve; and I doubt not, that, under your 
 tuition, he will soon become more refined. 
 
 When any one allows his feelings to overcome him so far as 
 
 to make him in society, he is no longer fit for society. 
 
 and deserves to be put without its pale. 
 
 Men of learning are not justified in assuming upon their 
 superiority of intellect, and behaving ly to those of in- 
 ferior mental powers. 
 
 Compare the man of education and refined manners with 
 the rustic, and how striking is the contrast ! 
 
 The boy was so to several of the party, that they all 
 
 determined never to invite him again. 
 
 Slothful — Inactive. 
 
 Slothful is a positive, inactive a negative, term. 
 Those who are disinclined to act, are slothful. 
 Those who do not act, are inactive. The former 
 Y 4 . 
 
328 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 refers rather to the disposition ; the latter to the 
 habit. Rest implies previous action, but the term 
 " inactive " does not properly qualify those who are 
 at rest, but merely those who are not acting. The 
 slothful man places his affairs in the hands of an- 
 other from his dislike to act for himself. He is in- 
 active who, for the time Ijeing, is not engaged in 
 action ; but it does not of necessity follow from 
 this that he should be slothful. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Falsely luxurious, will not man awake, 
 
 And, springing from the bed of , enjoy 
 
 The cool, the fragrant, and the silent hour ? " 
 
 "Heraclius, whose habits had hitherto inspired 
 
 nothing but contempt, now suddenly displayed the vigour of a 
 young soldier, the energy of a hero, and the talents of a con- 
 queror." 
 During all these exciting scenes, the king reipained totally 
 
 , and did not take a single step to reconcile the parties 
 
 which then distracted the country. 
 
 " What laws are these ? instruct us if you can : 
 There's one designed for brutes, and one for man ; 
 
 Another guides matter's com-se." 
 
 Timidity, ignorance, or modesty may make a man ; 
 
 many are from inherent physical defects. 
 
 It may be frequently expedient to remain ; but 
 
 habits can under no circumstances be considered 
 
 desirable. 
 
 His life had so completely weakened his physical 
 
 powers, that he could scarcely move about without the greatest 
 inconvenience. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 329 
 
 TForthless — Unworthy, 
 
 A worthless man has no worth ; an unworthy 
 man has not so much as he might, or ought to have. 
 The first conveys a positive, the second a negative, 
 idea. In one sense, all men are unworthy, so far as 
 they are human, and therefore imperfect. Every 
 human being is unworthy of the mercy of God. 
 Worthless men are wholly devoid of integrity of 
 purpose and rectitude of conduct. Many may ac- 
 knowledge their unworthiness ; few, if any, would 
 confess their worthlessness. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Every society conducted upon proper principles will take 
 care to exclude members. 
 
 " The school of Socrates was at one time deserted by every 
 body except JEschines, the parasite of the tyrant Dionysius, 
 and the most man hving." 
 
 It is a mark of modesty or humility to confess that we are 
 of the kindness of our friends. 
 
 Many men are wholly — of the privileges or distinc- 
 tions they enjoy. 
 
 The most characters are abashed, and the most 
 
 forward checked by aged wisdom. 
 
 It is a mortifying reflection to consider that we have thrown 
 
 away our kindness on a object ; and thus prevented 
 
 ourselves from benefiting the more deserving. 
 
 We should endeavour that our ambition be not directed 
 towards objects. 
 
 He has no longer the least chance of regaining his position 
 in society, being surrounded by and profligate com- 
 panions, who have led him into every sort of wickedness. 
 
330 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To annoy — to inconvenience. 
 To annoy ^ from the Latin " noceo " (I hurt), is to 
 do hurt. Inconvenience^ from the negative particle 
 "in/* and "convenient," is to make not convenient. 
 We annoy by being positively troublesome. We 
 inconvenience by making others unable to do with 
 comfort what they desire. Again, annoy is the more 
 intensive term. Those who habitually offend, 
 annoy by their presence or manners. We often 
 inconvenience by not doing what we should do. 
 A clerk who neglects his duty may greatly incon- 
 venience the principals of the mercantile house 
 to which he belongs. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I have often been tempted to inquire what happiness is to be 
 
 gained, or what to be avoided, by this stated recession 
 
 from town in the summer season." 
 
 At dinner time, the guests were extremely by being 
 
 crowded so closely together. 
 
 They were so seriously by his flippant and personal 
 
 remarks, that some of the company left the room. 
 *' Against the Capitol I met a lion, 
 Who glared upon me, and went surly by, 
 Without -ing me." 
 
 He was so seriously by this delay, that he was pre- 
 vented from discharging some very pressing debts. 
 
 To interrupt a lecturer in the middle of his discourse, is 
 productive of great to the audience. 
 
 His importunities became at length so that it was 
 
 found necessary to give him in charge to a police officer. 
 
 The unpunctuality of the clerk in his attendance at the 
 office caused the greatest to the principals. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 331 
 
 To assuage — to mitigate. 
 
 To assuage and to mitigate . both denote a di- 
 minishing of pain. To assuage is a positive, to 
 mitigate a negative term. He who assuages ac- 
 tively lessens the pain of others. He who mitigates 
 relaxes in harshness. We assuage by being posi- 
 tively kind ; we mitigate by being less severe. 
 Friends assuage, time mitigates, our afflictions. 
 Grief, fears, afflictions, &c. may be assuaged ; a pe- 
 nalty to be inflicted — rigour to be employed — a 
 sentence to be passed — may be mitigated. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " If I can in any way private inflammations, or 
 
 allay public ferments, I shall apply myself to it with the 
 utmost endeavours." 
 
 " All we can now do is to devise how that which must be 
 
 endured may be , and its inconveniences countervailed 
 
 as near as may be, that when the best things are not possible, 
 the best may be made of those that are." 
 
 " This was necessary for securing the people from the 
 fears capable of being by no other means." 
 
 " The king would not have one penny abated of that granted 
 to him by Parliament, because it might encourage other 
 countries to pray the like release or ion." 
 
 The remedies, which were applied immediately, the 
 
 pain of the wound, so that by the next day he could use the 
 limb, and in a short time was able to walk without assistance. 
 
 The prisoner having been found guilty upon this evidence, 
 acknowledged the justice of the verdict, but prayed that the 
 
 circumstances of the case would induce the judge to 
 
 his sentence. 
 
332 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMIES. 
 
 " We could greatly wish that the rigour of their opinion 
 
 were ." • 
 
 " Yet is his hate, his rancour ne'er the less, 
 Since nought malice when 'tis told." 
 
 To censure — to disapprove. 
 
 In censuring, we find fault : in disapproving, 
 we withhold our approbation. The first is a positive 
 term ; the second, a negative. We censure that 
 conduct which is marked by the presence of what 
 we deem evil. When we disapprove, it is by reason 
 of the absence or deficiency of qualities which we 
 think should be present. To satisfy him who cen- 
 sures, we must remove or get rid of certain qualities. 
 To satisfy those who disapprove of our conduct, we 
 must adopt certain measures. Both these terms 
 express acts of the judgment : but to censure refers 
 mostly to the moral conduct; whereas disapprobation 
 is used in a wider sense. We may disapprove of 
 conduct, systems, opinions, &c. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Many an author has been dejected at the of one 
 
 whom he has looked upon as an idiot." 
 
 " From a consciousness of his own integrity, a man assumes 
 
 force enough to despise the little of ignorance and 
 
 malice." 
 
 " The poem (Samson Agonistes) has a beginning and an 
 
 end, which Aristotle himself could not have , but it 
 
 must be allowed to want a middle." 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 333 
 
 It is a direct perversion of the judgment to because 
 
 we dislike. 
 
 He strongly this constitution of the society, on the 
 
 grounds that it was deficient in numbers, and that the power 
 was restricted to too few members. 
 
 " Ten Avrong, for one who writes amiss." 
 
 In all cases of , when the opinion appears to arise 
 
 from personal passion, it is a misunderstanding between the 
 two persons. 
 
 " Though ten times worse themselves, you'll frequent view 
 Those who with keenest rage will you." 
 
 To 'permit— .to allow. 
 To permit consents formally ; to alloiv consents 
 tacitly. The former is positive ; it signifies to grant 
 leave : the latter has a negative ^meaning ; it is 
 merely not to forbid. We are permitted to do what 
 we obtain leave to do. TVe are allowed to do what 
 no one interferes with us for doing. To permit 
 implies the granting of a request. An action for 
 which it is not necessary to ask permission, is allowed. 
 School-boys are allowed a certain space for their 
 sports or exercise ; but if they wish to go beyond 
 the limits of that space, they must ask leave in order 
 to be permitted to do so. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The boys had finished their studies, and were going to take 
 
 a walk, but the youngest was not to accompany the 
 
 others, as he had not been so diligent as usual that morning. 
 
 This was a great disapDointment to him ; and at his earnest 
 
334 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 request, and faithful promise to do better another time, the 
 master ■ him to join his school-fellows. 
 
 It is shameful that we should ourselves to remain 
 
 in ignorance of what it is our bounden duty to know. 
 
 The sailors, having asked leave of the captain, were — — 
 to go ashore, on condition that they should return to the vessel 
 before nine o'clock on the same evening. 
 
 As some friends were expected that night whom they very 
 
 much wished to see, they were to sit up later than 
 
 usual, and did not retire to bed till nearly ten o'clock. 
 
 Soldiers cannot absent themselves from their duty without 
 being specially . 
 
 " I have obtained his to make these conversations 
 
 public." 
 
 " Plutarch says, very finely, that a man should not 
 
 himself to hate even his enemies." 
 
 " Any of my readers who have studied the biography of 
 
 men of letters will my assertion is borne out by 
 
 facts." 
 
 To 'prevent — to hinder. 
 
 To prevent denotes a positive ; to hinder ^ a nega- 
 tive interruption. We are prevented by an ob- 
 stacle ; we are hindered by an obstruction. * We 
 are prevented from advancing by something which 
 comes in our way. We are hindered from advan- 
 cing by something that keeps us back. A shower of 
 rain will prevent us taking a walk. A visitor who 
 occupies much of our time hinders us from pursuing 
 our usual occupations. He who is hindered does 
 not wholly cease from action ; but he who is pre- 
 
 * Sec obstacle and obstniction, p. 213. 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 335 
 
 vented cannot advance a step. The inspection of 
 passports frequently hinders continental travellers 
 from proceeding as quickly as they wish. He who 
 would attempt to travel on the continent without a 
 passport would be prevented by the custom-house 
 officers. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I should have begun my letter yesterday, but I was 
 
 by my brothers, who insisted on my accompanying them in 
 their afternoon walk. 
 
 I sat down this morning with the full determination to write 
 
 to you, but I have been by so many circumstances, 
 
 that I fear I shall never finish this letter. 
 
 I was from calling on you yesterday by several 
 
 visitors, who came in when I was on the point of setting off. 
 
 They now attempted to force a way through the entrance, 
 
 but were by those within, who made a desperate sally 
 
 from the gate, and successfully repulsed the assailants. 
 
 The delicate state of his health has his education 
 
 considerably, and his making that advancement which 
 
 in ordinary cases would be expected. 
 
 Had not the workmen been , they would have 
 
 finished the building last week. 
 
 It is much easier to keep ourselves void of resentment, than 
 to restrain it from excess when it has gained admission. 
 
 To use the illustration of an excellent author, we can 
 
 the beginnings of some things whose progress afterwards we 
 cannot . 
 
 To shun — to avoid. 
 
 To shun has a positive ; to avoid has a negative 
 meaning. To shun is to turn from ; to avoid is 
 
336 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 merely not to approach. We shun what we dislike, 
 or what we think is likely to do us harm. We avoid 
 what may do us harm. We should shun vice; that 
 is, we should turn away from it. We should avoid 
 bad habits ; that is, we should take care not to ac- 
 quire them. Fear or dislike prompts us to shun. 
 Prudence induces us to avoid. 
 
 Exercise-. 
 
 " Having thoroughly considered the nature of this passion, 
 
 I have made it my duty to study how to the envy that 
 
 may accrue to me from these my speculations." 
 
 " Of many things, some few I shall explain : 
 
 Teach thee to the dangers of the main ; 
 
 And how at length the promised shore to gain." 
 
 " Let no man make himself the confidant of the foibles of a 
 
 beloved companion, lest he find himself by the friend 
 
 of his heart." 
 
 " Here he fell into vicious habits, and associated with such 
 low companions, that his society was soon — - — by every 
 respectable person." 
 
 " Prudence will enable us to many of the evils to 
 
 which we are daily exposed." 
 
 I thought I perceived him at some distance from me ; but, 
 
 as if dreading an interview, on my approaching him, he 
 
 me, and mixed with the crowd. 
 
 It is wise and prudent to do what is commanded, and 
 
 what is forbidden by those whose authority we acknowledge. 
 
 To iveaken — to invalidate. 
 What is weakened is made weak ; though not, of 
 necessity, previously strong. What is invalidated 
 
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYNONYMES. 337 
 
 has some of its strength taken away. Thus these 
 terms are as positive and negative. In the first 
 case, we add weakness ; in the second, we take away 
 strength. An argument of but little strength may 
 be weakened. A strong argument may be invali- 
 dated. We weaken the force of an argument by an 
 injudicious application. We invalidate a claim by 
 proving its informality. To weaken, is applied both 
 to things and persons : to invalidate, to things only. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " No article of faith can be true which the practical 
 
 part of religion." 
 
 " Do the Jacobins mean to that great body of our 
 
 statute law which passed under those whom they treat as 
 usurpers ? " 
 
 The testimony of the last witness was by an enquiry 
 
 into his character. 
 
 The patient was so by the length and violence of 
 
 the disease, that it was greatly feared at one time that he 
 would not survive. 
 
 It was necessary to apply stimulants in order to obviate the 
 • ing effect of the medicines he had previously taken. 
 
 This statement completely the argument just ad- 
 duced by the defendant's counsel, and the verdict was conse- 
 quently given against him. 
 
 A continual indulgence in frivolous pursuits, and the habit 
 
 of associating with silly companions, cannot fail to the 
 
 character. 
 
338 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 
 
 There are many cases in which it is extremely 
 difficult to discover any principle by which the dif- 
 ferences of words can be accounted for. Though^ as 
 we have already shown, it is very possible to form, 
 to a certain extent, a classification of differences, by 
 referring them, in different cases, to a distinct prin- 
 ciple; there are many pairs of words whose difference 
 does not appear to depend on any uniformly direct- 
 ing principle, but seems the result of a mere caprice 
 of language. These cases baffle all attempts at clas- 
 sifying, and we must, therefore, be content to con- 
 sider them under the head of " Miscellaneous." Here 
 it will be found that a different cause operates in 
 each single pair, so that we shall learn nothing more 
 than the explanation of the difference in each indi- 
 vidual case, and this explanation will suggest no 
 certain rule in other cases of difficulty. But when 
 we consider the subtle nature of the human mind, 
 and the almost infinite variety of shades and forms 
 which language assumes, we shall not be surprised 
 at this difficulty. Some tinge of colouring, some 
 almost imperceptible shade, will be found to exist 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 339 
 
 in one, which does not belong to the other, and this 
 SO capricious, and so infinitely various, that it is 
 impossible to classify such words, or collect those 
 among them in which any one principle is found to 
 act uniformly. The following synonymes are of 
 this nature, for the study of which the learner is re- 
 ferred to the explanations under each pair. 
 
 Accent — Emphasis. 
 
 An accent is a stress or leaning of the voice on 
 certain syllables in every word, by which those 
 syllables are more vigorously uttered than others. 
 An emphasis is a stress of the voice on certain 
 words, by which those words are prominently dis- 
 tinguished in a sentence. Accent respects the 
 pronunciation of a word ; emphasis respects the 
 meaning of the sentence. To pronounce the word 
 nature with the strain on the second syllable (thus, 
 nature) would be a fault of accent. To give the 
 same force to every word in a sentence, is to read 
 without emphasis. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 In the time of the Commonwealth, the of many 
 
 words in the English language was unfixed. In the " Paradise 
 Lost " of Milton, several words are found with an dif- 
 ferent from that with which they are now pronounced. 
 
 In every sentence, there are certain words which require a 
 Z 2 
 
340 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 greater stress of the voice in reading than others. This stress 
 
 js called in grammar ' . He who reads without , 
 
 reads monotonously. • 
 
 Foreigners are very liable to make faults of in pro- 
 nouncing our language. 
 
 It is very diflficult, if not impossible, to pronounce a dis- 
 syllable without placing a stronger on one than on 
 
 the other of the two syllables. 
 
 Laying a strong on these last words, and giving me 
 
 another inquiring look of significance, the stranger quitted 
 the room, leaving me in a state of confusion and conjecture, 
 which may be more easily imagined than described. 
 
 " Those English syllables which I call long ones receive a 
 
 peculiar stress of voice from their acute or circumflex 
 
 as in quickly, dowry." 
 
 " not so much regards the tone, as a certain grandeur, 
 
 whereby some word or sentence is rendered more remarkable 
 than the rest by a more vigorous pronunciation, and a longer 
 stay upon it." 
 
 An address — a direction. 
 The difference between an address and a direction 
 is, that an address comprises the name of the person 
 directed to, as well as the place at which he or she 
 resides. A direction signifies no more than the 
 specification of a certain place. The form of an 
 address might be, Mr. John Smith, 19, George- 
 street, Cornwall-square. If I am told to address a 
 letter to the above Mr. Smith, I write down this 
 form; but if some one ask me Mr. Smith's direction, 
 I answer by specifying the place in which he lives ; 
 viz. 19, George-street, Cornwall-square. An ad- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 341 
 
 dress comprises a name and direction ; a direction 
 excludes the name. We do not address places, 
 though we direct to both places and persons. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I have only to put the to this letter, and I will then 
 
 accompany you. 
 
 I should have written to you before, but I had mislaid your 
 , and did not find it till this morning. 
 
 Can you give me Mr. Robinson's ? 
 
 The name was written on the outer cover of the parcel, but 
 it had no . 
 
 This trunk being properly , it cannot fail to reach 
 
 the person for whom it is intended. 
 
 Those who travel with much luggage should take the 
 greatest care that all their packages are correctly and legibly 
 
 Put the on this letter for me. 
 
 Arms — Weapons, 
 
 In strict propriety of language, arms are instru- 
 ments of offence, and weapons instruments of de- 
 fence. According to this distinction, swords, spears, 
 cross-bows, &c., are arms; whilst helmets, cuirasses, 
 and shields are weapons. This distinction, however, 
 does not always hold good, for the expression " mur- 
 derous weapons," as well as " coat of arms," is 
 common in modern phraseology. These are in 
 direct opposition to the above explanation. The 
 best distinction, then, to be made between these 
 
 Z 3 
 
342 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 words is, that arms are instruments made expressly 
 for fighting ; and weapons are instruments casually 
 used for fighting. According to this distinction, 
 pokers, staves, or knives will be equally weapons, 
 but not equally arms with swords, pistols, and guns. 
 The word weapons is used in the singular; arms, 
 never, in this sense. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The bayonet is a formidable ; it was so called from 
 
 having been first made at Bayonne. 
 
 Fire are an invention of the middle ages. 
 
 The garrison, after sustaining a ten months' siege, in which 
 they endured all the horrors of disease and famine, capitulated 
 
 on condition of being allowed to march out with their 
 
 and go wherever they pleased. 
 
 The used by the savages of the Pacific are chiefly 
 
 stakes burnt at one end, and sharpened ^vith fish-bones. 
 
 The with which the deed was perpetrated was found, 
 
 after a long search, in a field at some distance from the house. 
 
 He defended himself against the fury of the populace with 
 whatever chance threw in his way. 
 
 " Here the pavement is upturned — here the torch is planted 
 
 — here the is prepared ; everywhere you may see the 
 
 women mingling with the men, now sharing their labours, now 
 binding up their wounds." 
 
 " The native Greeks had that mark of a civilized people, 
 
 that they never bore during the time of peace, unless 
 
 the wearer chanced to be numbered among those whose 
 military profession and employment required them to be 
 always in ." 
 
MISCELL.VNEOUS SYNONrMES. 343 
 
 Beast — Brute, 
 
 A wild animal is a brute ; a tamed animal is a 
 beast. According to this distinction, lions, tigers, 
 leopards, &c., are brutes ; whilst horses, oxen, 
 sheep, &c., are beasts. The prominent idea in the 
 word brute is the presence of ferocity and unre- 
 strained passion ; the leading idea in the word beast 
 is absence of reason. Taylor remarks : ^' "We say 
 beasts of burden ; never brutes of burden." A 
 tamed brute ^becomes a beast. The brutes of the 
 forest ; the beasts of the field. Applied as terms of 
 reproach, a man is called a brute when he abuses his 
 strength ; he is called a beast when he abuses his 
 reason by sensual indulgence. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " There is no opposing force to the stratagems of 
 
 human reason." 
 
 " The royal , with his usual generosity, immediately 
 
 set the little trembling captive at liberty." 
 
 " Medea's charms were there, Circean feasts, 
 With bowls that turn enamoured youths to ." 
 
 " As nature has framed the several species of beings as it 
 were in a chain, so man seems to be placed as the middle link 
 between angels and ." 
 
 " Returning home last night I was met by my old mastiff, 
 Carlo, who came bounding towards me, and barking with joy 
 at seeing me again. Suddenly, I observed that he ceased 
 barking, and limped in walking. I called him to me, and 
 
 upon examination discovered that the poor had cut one 
 
 of his fore-paws very severely." 
 Z 4 
 
344 EXERCISES ON" ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 " The philosopher who ne'er has proved 
 
 The joy of loving or of being loved." 
 
 " Even animals make use of this artificial way of 
 
 making divers motions, to have several significations, to call, 
 warn, chide, cherish, threaten." 
 
 A consequeiice — a result 
 
 A consequence is that which, of necessity, follows 
 an action, or a course of life ; a result is produced 
 by combination. Ruin is the consequence of 
 extravagance ; four is the result of the addition of 
 two and two. The primary meaning of the word 
 consequence may be illustrated hj the swell which 
 always follows in the wake of a steam-vessel ; it is 
 that which cannot but follow. In the same way, a 
 result is the rebounding of a ball, or any thing 
 elastic, which is struck against a wall. In this 
 case, the result will not always be the same ; it 
 will depend on the elasticity of the ball, the hard- 
 ness of the wall, and the force of the throw. Many 
 circumstances, then, enter into the calculation of a 
 result, which is not the case with a consequence. 
 There may be many steps in a calculation before we 
 arrive at a result : consequences are invariable and 
 more immediate ; they arise out of the very nature 
 of things. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 A premature decay of all the vital functions is the natural 
 of a vicious life. 
 
anSCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 345 
 
 According to the account received yesterday, fortune then 
 appeared inclined to favour the opposite party ; but whatever 
 may be the , it will be generally known to-morrow. 
 
 When you have well discussed the matter, and come to 
 some conclusion as to your intention, you will let me know the 
 
 His health suffered severely in of excessive study 
 
 during his youth, and, at a period of life when most men enjoy 
 the greatest physical and mental vigour, he had lost all his 
 energy and elasticity of mind. 
 
 " Shun the bitter , for know. 
 
 The day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt die." 
 " The state of the world is continually changing, and none 
 
 can tell the — of the next vicissitude." 
 
 " Jealousy often draws after it a fatal train of ." 
 
 A contest — a conflict. 
 
 A contest is a strife which arises between two or 
 more persons for some common object ; a conflict is 
 the violent meeting of two parties incensed against 
 each other. A contest may be, and often has been, 
 decided by a conflict. In the history of the wars 
 of the "Koses/' the contending parties were the 
 Houses of York and Lancaster, and in the course of 
 the contest for the crown, a series of conflicts took 
 place. Contests do not of necessity imply violence, 
 but conflicts are always desperate and sanguinary. 
 A man perishes in a conflict, and is defeated in a 
 contest. 
 
346 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " Soon after, the death of the king furnished a general sub- " 
 
 ject for poetical ." 
 
 " Bare, unhoused trunks, « 
 
 To the ing elements exposed." 
 
 " Happy is the man who, in the of desire between 
 
 God and the world, can oppose not only argument to argu- 
 ment, but pleasure to pleasure." 
 
 " A definition is the only way whereby the meaning of words 
 
 can be known, without leaving room for about it." 
 
 " Leave all noisy , all immodest clamoui's, and 
 
 brawling language." 
 
 " Lashed into foam, the fierce ing brine 
 
 Seems o'er a thousand raging waves to burn." 
 The third candidate, finding there was no chance of success, 
 
 withdrew from the . 
 
 " If he attempt this great change, with what labour and 
 must he accomplish it ? " 
 
 "No assurance touching victories can make present ■ 
 so sweet and easy, but nature will shrink from-them." 
 
 Discretion — Prudence, 
 
 Prudence is the quality which enables us to 
 foresee probabilities, and to act accordingly. Dis- 
 cretion has to do with tangible realities — with 
 things that are before us. The prudent man 
 prepares for what is coming; the discreet man 
 judges of present affairs. We are determined by 
 our prudence to follow one course to the exclusion 
 of all others ; we are determined by our discretion 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 347 
 
 to do one of two things. It is prudent to provide 
 against bad weather ; it is discreet not to allude to 
 an offensive subject. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Nature has been likened to a ■ mother, who not only 
 
 supplies her children's present wants, but provides against 
 their future necessities. 
 
 Horace calls the ant a animal, who, not regardless 
 
 of the future, employs herself in the summer in laying up a 
 store of food against the severity of the winter season. 
 
 It is a strong proof of in to speak of family affairs 
 
 before all persons indiscriminately. 
 
 No person will ever allude to subjects which he 
 
 knows to be disagreeable to those with whom he converses. 
 
 is more required in the management of present 
 
 affairs, in that of future ; by the former, we deter- 
 mine promptly what to do or what not to do in the exigency 
 of the moment ; by the latter, we predetermine what shall be 
 most expedient for the future. Both qualities are not only 
 desirable, but actually indispensable in the regulation of the 
 common affairs of human life. 
 
 " The ignorance in which we are left concerning good and 
 
 evil is not such as to supersede in conduct." 
 
 " Let your own 
 
 be your tutor. Suit the action 
 
 To the word." 
 
 Endurance — Duration, 
 
 These words are not strictly synonymous ; but as 
 they are frequently mistaken for one another, it 
 
348 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 may be useful to show in what they differ. En- 
 durance is the power of bearing up against insults 
 or misfortunes ; duration signifies merely a con- 
 tinuance of time. The idea of time enters into the 
 meaning of both words, for endurance is the power 
 of bearing with for a length of time. Without 
 duration, we should have no opportunity of en- 
 during. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " It has been my lot to ■ frequent visitations of ill- 
 
 health, although my muscular frame is strong, and I am capa- 
 ble of bearing great privation and almost any exertion of mere 
 bodily fatigue. 
 
 " Aristotle, by greatness of action, does not only mean it 
 
 should be great in its nature, but also in its — , that it 
 
 should have a due length in it." 
 
 " is a circumstance so essential to happiness, that if 
 
 we conceived it possible for the joys of heaven itself to pass 
 from us in an instant, we should find ourselves^not much con- 
 cerned for the attainment of them." 
 
 " Their fortitude was most admirable in their patience and 
 of all evils, of pain and of death." 
 
 " How miserable his state who is condemned to at 
 
 once the pangs of guilt and the vexations of calamity !" 
 
 *' I think another probable conjecture (respecting the soul's 
 
 immortality) may be raised from our appetite to 
 
 itself," 
 
 "I would fain know whether that man takes a rational 
 course to preserve himself, who refuses the — — of these 
 higher troubles, to secure himself from a condition infinitely 
 more miserable ? " 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 349 
 
 An era — an epoch. 
 
 The words era and epoch are both employed to 
 mark specified times of events. An era expresses 
 the duration of time for which events are computed 
 chronologically ; an epoch is a point of time dis- 
 tinguished by some remarkable circumstance, from 
 which events are reckoned. The era of Rome 
 lasted from 753 B.C. to the birth of Christ; the 
 Christian era, from the birth of Christ to the pre- 
 sent time. The nativity of Christ is the epoch 
 from which modern European chronology is com- 
 puted. The Hegira, or flight of Mahomet, a.d. 622, 
 is the epoch from which the Arabians date. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 Seneca, the Roman philosopher, was born at the beginning 
 of the Chi'istian — . 
 
 The foundation of their city was the from which the 
 
 Eomans dated the events of their history. 
 
 The Christian commenced in the seven hundred and 
 
 fifty -third year of the building of Rome. 
 
 The of the Julian , which precedes the 
 
 common or Christian by forty-five years, is the re- 
 formation of the Roman calendar by Julius Cajsar. 
 
 In the tenth century, many sovereigns dated their instru- 
 ments from the different of their reign. 
 
 " The commencement of the reign of William the Conqueror 
 is usually dated from the day of the battle of Hastings, viz. 
 Saturday, the 14th of October, 1066 ; but, according to 
 
 Yilaine, it was dated from two ; the one, the death of 
 
 Edward the Confessor, which occurred on the 5th of January, 
 
350 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 1066 ; and the other, William's coronation, which took place 
 at Westminster, on Christmas-day in that year." 
 
 " Their several or beginnings, as from the Creation 
 
 of the world, from the Flood, from the first Olympiad, from 
 the building of Rome, or from any remarkable passage or acci- 
 dent, give us a pleasant prospect into the histories of antiquity, 
 and of former ages." 
 
 A fault — a mistake. 
 
 A fault is an error of judgment ; a mistake is an 
 error of perception. When we determine wrongly, 
 we commit a fault ; when we perceive wrongly, we 
 make a mistake. A mistake is less grave than a 
 fault. Ciiildren are apt to make mistakes ; men 
 often commit faults. A child that would copy a p 
 for a q would make a mistake ; i. e. he would take 
 one for the other. To allow children to do as they 
 please is a great fault. The writer was once asked 
 whether the Greeks were called Hellenes because 
 they were descended from Helen, the wife of 
 Menelaus ; that was a mistake, the questioner mis- 
 took Helen for Hellen. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is a great to suppose that children, because they 
 
 are young and inexperienced, should not be treated as rea- 
 sonable beings. 
 
 There can be little doubt that many of the which 
 
 are so prevalent in early youth might be much modified, if not 
 altogether prevented, by a judicious education. 
 
 The young, though gifted with great abilities, are more 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 351 
 
 liable than their elders to make in the conduct of life, 
 
 from want of experience. 
 
 Instead of prying into the of others, we should take 
 
 care to be free from them ourselves. 
 
 The of the work are so glaring, that it is impossi- 
 ble for the most inattentive reader not to be struck with them. 
 
 " To be desirous of a good name, and careful to do every 
 thing that we innocently may to obtain it, is so far from being 
 
 a , even in private persons, that it is their great and 
 
 indispensable duty." 
 
 When my uncle first saw his friend after so long an absence, 
 he was so altered that he did not recognize him, and took 
 him for some casual frequenter of the same hotel ; but on 
 
 discovering his , he immediately apologised for his 
 
 apparent rudeness. 
 
 "It happened that the king himself passed through the 
 
 gallery during this debate, and smiling at the of the 
 
 dervise, asked him how he could possibly be so dull as not to 
 distinguish a palace irom a caravansary." 
 
 An idea— a notion. 
 
 An idea is an impression made on the mind by 
 something external ; a notion is whatever we know 
 about a thing. These words have been much con- 
 founded, and in common language are very fre- 
 quently used the one for the other. If I mention 
 the word horse to one who has seen that animal, the 
 word recalls to his mind the idea of the animal ; 
 but, if I make any affirmation about the horse — as, 
 the horse is swift-^1 express a notion, or what I 
 know about the horse. 
 
352 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It was not long before we found him of no assistance what- 
 ever ; he had not a single upon the subject, and con- 
 sequently, he made so many blunders, that he rather retarded 
 than forwarded the work we were engaged upon. 
 
 His work, though it displayed no inconsiderable talent, was 
 so full of strange and odd fancies, that few gave them- 
 selves the trouble to read it, and it soon was neglected to a 
 degree which it really did not quite deserve. 
 
 He was fuU of the most extravagant ■ of the con- 
 
 struction of the world and the planetary system, and would 
 indulge in the wildest theories upon all sorts of speculative 
 questions. 
 
 Those who are deprived of the sense of hearing or sight, can 
 have but very imperfect of sound or colour. 
 
 Those who compose for the first time, generally find them- 
 selves at a loss in two ways : firstly they want — ; and 
 secondly, when they have them, they do not know how to 
 arrange them. 
 
 A method — a mode. 
 
 The method is the theory upon which the mode 
 is built. Method regards the contrivance ; mode, 
 the practice. Bell and Lancaster invented methods 
 of teaching. The method is the arrangement of the 
 plan, which is worked out by the modes of practice 
 which it pursues. The method is in the mind ; 
 the mode, in the hand. Methods are ingenious or 
 erroneous. Modes are skilful or clumsy. The 
 Chinese method of building differs greatly from 
 that of the English. Eunning, jumping, leaping, &c., 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 353 
 
 are various modes of action bj which a method of 
 gymnastics is worked out. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The whole differs from the old one in being much 
 
 more simple, effecting a great deal more in a shorter time, 
 and in maldng it much less likely for the machine to get out 
 of order. 
 
 A duty being once resolved upon, there will be little diffi- 
 culty in determining the of performing it. 
 
 "Although a faculty be born with us, there are several 
 
 for cultivating and improving it, and without which 
 
 it will be very uncertain." 
 
 There are certain of expression which vary with the 
 
 times, the fashion of our clothes being not more subject to 
 alteration than that of speech. 
 
 The of teaching used in schools are at the present 
 
 day far superior to those in general practice fifty years ago. 
 
 To understand the nature of a disease, and the proper 
 
 of curing it, belongs to a skill, the study of which is full of 
 toil, and the practice beset with difficulties. 
 
 « s of speech, which owe their prevalence to modish 
 
 folly, die away with their inventors." 
 
 " Men are willing to try all s of reconciling guilt and 
 
 quiet." 
 
 An observance — an observation. 
 
 These words are both derived from the Latin 
 observare, to keep, and are used as follows : — An 
 observance, is the keeping of a rule or law by 
 the performance of the outward ceremonies which 
 
 A A 
 
3o4 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 it enjoins. An observation is the keeping of a fact 
 in the mind, for the convenience of reverting to it 
 at some future time. The intention of an observ- 
 ance is the fulfilment of a religious or moral duty ; 
 the intention of an observation is to increase our 
 own information, or that of others. We speak of 
 astronomical observations, and of the observance of 
 the laws. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Without a strict of the principles of morality, no 
 
 man can be considered a good citizen, or a useful member of 
 society. 
 
 His are full of good sense, and he has treated the 
 
 whole subject with the greatest perspicuity. 
 
 There is no country in Europe w^ere the of the 
 
 Sabbath is so strictly attended to as in England. 
 
 A habit of , and the power of concentrating our 
 
 attention strongly on whatever may be the object of our in- 
 quiry, are necessary qualifications for the acquirement of solid 
 information. 
 
 Many learn more from than from rules. 
 
 • During the middle ages, the numerous and various reli- 
 gious ceremonies enjoined to the faithful, together with the 
 
 strict of fasts and holidays, interfered considerably* 
 
 with the industry of the people, and were a strong bar to the 
 advancement of this country in commercial enterprise. 
 
 " Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as 
 
 consisting in a few easy , and never lay the least 
 
 restraint on the business or diversions of this life." 
 
 " The rules of our practice are taken from the conduct of 
 such persons as fall within our . " 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 355 
 
 Pride — Vanity, 
 
 The proud man is self-satisfied — wrapped up in 
 his own estimation — careless of the opinions of 
 others. The vain man has little or no merit, and 
 is greedy of praise at the same time that he is con- 
 scious of not deserving it. Those who have more 
 merit than others cannot help being conscious of it ; 
 but pride does not signify the consciousness of our 
 own superiority ; it is the feeling which, in over- 
 rating our own merit, causes us to under-rate that of 
 others. Pride is disagreeable and odious ; vanity is 
 ridiculous and contemptible. 
 
 The qualities honest and honorable, when applied 
 to pride, deprive it of its odium, and make it a 
 feeling which no one needs be ashamed to own. 
 He who has raised himself in society by his own 
 unaided exertions will naturally feel an honest and 
 proper pride in his success. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He was a man of low intellect, and had r^yj little general 
 information ; and so absurdly ^ that he was the laugh- 
 ing-stock of the whole village. 
 
 Nothing cdfi be more intolerable than the of this 
 
 new comer ; he visits no one, goes nowhere, and keeps himself" 
 in every respect aloof from all the visiters of the place. 
 
 There is no feeling more satisfactory than that • 
 
 which we experience in having, by our own efforts, sur- 
 mounted an obstacle, or overcome a difficulty. 
 
 . is increased by solitude — it loves to live alone j it 
 
 seeks desert : places, away from the haunts of man ; *• 
 
 A A 2 
 
 I 
 
356 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. ' 
 
 on the contrary, could not exist out of society ; praise and ; 
 flattery are the food it lives on, and where is it to find these i 
 in the desert ? 
 
 " makes men ridiculous, odious, and ambi- \ 
 
 tion, terrible." 
 
 " 'Tis an old maxim in the schools ; 
 
 That 's the food of fools." 
 
 Subsidy — Tribute. 
 
 Both these words signify a sum agreed to be paid 
 by one nation to another ; but they differ in the fol- 
 lowing circumstances. A subsidy is voluntary ; a 
 tribute is exacted. A subsidy is paid to meet an 
 exigency ; a tribute is paid in acknowledgment of 
 subjection. A subsidy is paid to an ally ; a tribute' 
 is paid to a conqueror. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " They advised the king to send speedy aids, and with much 
 alacrity granted a great rate of ." 
 
 " They that received money, said ; Doth not your 
 
 master pay ? " 
 
 " The paid by foreign nations was by far the most 
 
 important branch of the public revenue during the period of 
 Rome's greatness." 
 
 "It is a celebrated notion of a patriot, that a House of 
 
 Commons should never grant such as give no pain to 
 
 the people, lest the nation should acquiesce under a burden 
 they did not feel."^ 
 
 " The Irish lords did only promise to become aries 
 
 to King Henry the Second ; and such as only pay are 
 
 not properly subjects, but sovereigns." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 357 
 
 Caesar landing the next spring, forced the passage of the 
 Thames above Kingston, took Verulamium, received the sub- 
 mission and hostages of several states, and having imposed 
 , quitted Britain for ever. 
 
 A quarrel ensued between the king and the Commons. They 
 
 drew up a petition praying him to send some ary 
 
 troops to defend the Palatinate, to declare war against Spain, 
 and to marry his son to a Protestant princess. 
 
 " To acknowledge this was all he did exact, 
 Small , where the will to pay was act.'' 
 
 To abbreviate — to abridge. 
 
 To abbreviate and to abridge both signify to 
 shorten ; but to abridge is to shorten by condensing 
 or compressing ; whilst to abbreviate is to shorten 
 by contracting or cutting off. In abridgments, we 
 have as much substance, only in a smaller space. 
 In abbreviations, the same meaning, but in fewer 
 characters. Single words are abbreviated : whole 
 works are abridged. Lieut., Dr., Esq., are abbre- 
 viations for lieutenant, doctor, esquire. Large his- 
 tories are abridged for the use of young students 
 A work in three volumes has been frequently abridged 
 into one. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The paper was so full of contractions and , that it 
 
 was with the greatest difficulty I could decipher its contents. 
 
 are necessary for those who either do not wish, or 
 
 have not the power to study subjects in detail. 
 
 The work was in itself so concise, and every remark it con- 
 
 A A 3 
 
358 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 tained was so necessary to the proper understanding of the 
 subject, that it was found impossible to it. 
 
 If we trace the history of the spoken language of any par- 
 ticular country, we shall find and harmony to have 
 
 been the two leading principles which have influenced its 
 various changes. 
 
 " The only invention of late years which has contributed 
 
 towards politeness in discourse, is that of , or reducing 
 
 words of many syllables into one, by lopping off the rest." 
 
 " It is one thing to by contracting, another by cut- 
 ting off." 
 
 " I shall lay before my readers an of some few of 
 
 their extravagances, in hopes that they will in time accustom 
 themselves to dream a little more to the purpose." 
 
 To advance — to proceed. 
 
 To advance regards the end, to proceed respects 
 the beginning of our journey. We cannot advance 
 without proceeding, nor proceed without advancing. 
 In advancing, we approach nearer the end ; in pro- 
 ceeding, we leave the beginning farther behind us. 
 The army advanced three leagues into the enemy's 
 country. They proceeded on their journey. We 
 advance further. We proceed farther (See Farther 
 and Further). In fine, to advance refers to the 
 point we are striving to attain, wliether in a 
 primary or secondary sense, wliilst to proceed refers 
 to the point we start from. The difference then be- 
 tween '' to advance in our studies " and " to proceed 
 with our studies" will be obvious. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 359 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 In order to ensure our in any particular study, we 
 
 must diligently and regularly. 
 
 We had not far before we found ourselves in a defile, 
 
 surrounded on all sides by the enemy's horse ; in this predi- 
 cament the colonel ordered a chosen body of men to 
 
 and engage the enemy, while he with another band to 
 
 explore a path by which he might extricate his men from their 
 dangerous position. . 
 
 Upon reconnoitring his position, he found he had committed 
 a great error in so far into the country without secur- 
 ing a retreat : but it was now too late to remedy the evil ; he 
 
 therefore to take every means of strengthening his 
 
 position till reinforcements should come to his assistance. 
 
 As soon as the confusion caused by this interruption had in 
 
 some degree subsided, the lecturer with his remarks 
 
 upon the internal condition of the Roman empire, and the 
 state of its literature during this period. 
 
 " It is wonderful to observe by what a gradual progress the 
 
 world of life through a prodigious variety of species, 
 
 before a creature is formed that is complete in all its senses." 
 
 " If the scale of being rises by such a regular progress so 
 high as man, we may, by a parity of reasoning, suppose that 
 
 it still gradually through those beings which are of a 
 
 superior nature to him." 
 
 To appear — to seem. 
 
 What seems is in the mind ; what appears is ex- 
 ternal. Things appear as they present themselves 
 to the eye ; they seem as they are represented to 
 the mind. Things appear good or bad. as far as we 
 
 A A 4 
 
360 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 can judge by our senses. Things seem right or 
 wrong as we determine by reflection. Perception 
 and sensation have to do with appearing ; reflection 
 and comparison, with seeming. When things are not 
 what they appear, our senses are deceived ; when 
 things are not what they seem, our judgment is at 
 fault. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 It that he not only detained the property from the 
 
 rightftil owner, but even appropriated a large portion of it. 
 
 As far as I can judge of the question, it impossible 
 
 to explain it in any thing like a satisfactory manner. 
 
 Those who are not accustomed to judge of distances are 
 
 very often deceived ; for many objects which far off, 
 
 are in reality much nearer. to us than we, suppose. 
 
 I have been informed by persons who have made frequent 
 ascents in a balloon, that, upon those occasions, the earth 
 ■ like a small speck when the balloon has attained its 
 
 greatest height, and the men and women upon it no bigger 
 than mites in cheese. 
 
 In fine weather, at sea, we may often observe a long dark 
 line upon the horizon, which rises up from the water, and 
 
 like land. This is said to be the effect of the heat, 
 
 and sailors consider it a sure sign of length of fine weather. 
 
 In my dream, I to have taken the shape and size 
 
 of a bat, and to be flying through the dark air at a rapid 
 pace. 
 
 " Lashed into foam, the fierce conflicting brine 
 
 o'er a thousand raging waves to bum." 
 
 " My noble master will 
 
 Such as he is, full of regard and honor." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 361 
 
 To articulate — to 'pronounce. 
 
 To articulate is to utter distinctly every syllable 
 of which a word is composed. To pronounce is to 
 utter a word in that accent and tone which are as- 
 signed to it by custom. Articulation has to do with 
 the distinctness of the syllable ; pronunciation, with 
 propriety of the vocalizing. A child who sayspossble 
 for possible, articulates indistinctly ; a child who 
 says passable for possible, pronounces improperly. 
 Careless readers and speakers articulate badly ; 
 foreigners and countrymen pronounce improperly* 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Demosthenes is said to have so badly, that, in order 
 
 to cure himself of this defect, he used to recite speeches with 
 small pebbles in his mouth. 
 
 Though in point of information and style, he was an excel- 
 lent lecturer, he English with so strong a provincial 
 
 dialect, that it occasionally gave many of his hearers some 
 difficulty to understand him. 
 
 In order to properly, we should be accustomed to 
 
 hear and converse with those who mix in the best society. 
 
 Those who have a defect of should be put under the 
 
 care of an elocution-master. 
 
 The first requisite for a good reader is a distinct . 
 
 This may be said to resemble perspicuity in style ; for what- 
 ever beauties our writing may possess, they are without value 
 when unaccompanied by this essential quality. 
 
 A bad often arises from carelessness ; vicious ■ 
 
 is the natural consequence of having bad examples for imi- 
 tation. 
 
 " Speak the speech I pray you, as I it to you." 
 
362 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To attribute — to impute. 
 
 Both these words relate to causation. To attri- 
 bute is to refer to as a known, or a natural cause ; to 
 impute is to refer to as a supposed, or an evil cause. 
 Bad health is sometimes attributed to intemperance. 
 Riots and discontent among a people may be attri- 
 buted to a bad harvest, or may be imputed to the 
 unpopularity of the government. In attributing, we 
 assign things as causes ; in imputing, we assign the 
 feelings or acts of persons as causes. To impute is 
 generally used in a bad sense ; to attribute, in either 
 a good or bad sense. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Perhaps it may appear upon examination that the most 
 
 polite ages are the least virtuous. This may he to 
 
 the folly of admitting wit and learning as merits in themselves, 
 without considering the application of them." , 
 
 " This obscurity cannot he to want of language in 
 
 so great a master of style." 
 
 "The imperfection of telescopes is to spherical 
 
 glasses ; and mathematicians have propounded to figure them 
 by the conical sections." 
 
 " We, who are adepts in astrology, can it to several 
 
 causes in the planets, that this quarter of our great city is 
 the region of such as either never had, or have lost, the use 
 of reason." 
 
 " I have formerly said that I could distinguish your writ- 
 ings from those of any others ; 'tis now time to clear myself 
 from any of self-conceit on that subject." 
 
 Whenever a great undertaking fails, the blame is always 
 to those who advised it. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 363 
 
 To avenge — to revenge. 
 
 We avenge others; we revenge ourselves. When 
 we revenge, we return evil for evil (real or sup- 
 posed) done to ourselves. When we avenge, we 
 punish an injury done to another. In both cases, 
 vengeance is exercised ; in the former for ourselves, 
 in the latter for another. To avenge is an act of 
 retributive justice ; to revenge is an act of passion. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " The day shall come, the great ing day. 
 
 Which Troy's proud glories in the dust shall lay." 
 " ' Your health, my Glaucus,' said he, quaffing a cup to each 
 letter of the Greek's name with the ease of the practised 
 drinker ; * will you not be on your ill-fortune of yester- 
 day ? See, the dice court us.'" 
 
 " Come Antony, and young Octavius, come, 
 
 yourselves alone on Gassius." 
 
 " It is a quarrel most unnatural. 
 
 To be — on him that loveth thee." 
 
 "With heart of fire, and foot of wind, 
 
 The fierce er is behind." 
 
 "By a continued series of loose, though apparently trivial 
 gratifications, tlie heart is often as thoroughly corrupted as 
 by the commission of any one of those enormous crimes which 
 
 spring from great ambition, or great ." 
 
 " May we, with the witness of a good conscience, pursue 
 
 him with further ? " 
 
 With tears in her eyes, she related the insult she had just 
 
 received, and entreated me to her. 
 
 " The just ^r of his injured ancestors, the victorious 
 
 Louis, was darting his thunder.'' 
 
364 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To compare to — to compare with. 
 
 One tiling is compared to another when a 
 resemblance is found between them : Anger is 
 compared to a tempest. One thing is compared 
 with another when our object in bringing them 
 together is to discover the relative worth of each. 
 Art when compared with nature is found wanting. 
 Great things may be compared with small. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 In point of learning, he is not to be compared his 
 
 rival candidate, though he is far superior to him in natural 
 abilities. 
 
 Human life has been compared a lamp, which, 
 
 for want of fresh oil to feed its flame, burns but for a 
 little while, becomes gradually fainter, and is at length ex- 
 tinguished. 
 
 We have but to compare the paintings of these two masters 
 
 each other, to perceive how far superior, in every 
 
 respect, the original is to the copy. 
 
 My brother and I had both travelled, at different times, 
 over the same country ; and I found, on compai ing my notes 
 
 his, that our opinions on the scenery, manners, and 
 
 habits of the people, agreed in almost every particular. 
 
 Burke, in one of his writings, speaking of the necessity of 
 large open spaces for the recreation and exercise of the poor, 
 
 compares the parks of the metropolis the lungs of the 
 
 human body. 
 
 " Solon compared the people the sea, and orators 
 
 and counsellors the winds ; for that the sea would be 
 
 calm and quiet if the winds did not trouble it." 
 
 What a difference do we find when we compare the gaiety 
 and light-heartedness of boyhood the cares and anxiety 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 365 
 
 of more advanced life ! how imperceptibly does the step lose 
 its light, firm, and elastic tread, and the voice its full and com- 
 manding tone ! 
 
 To compare— to contrast. 
 
 Things which bear some resemblance to each 
 other may be compared. Things which are strik- 
 ingly unlike each other are contrasted. When we 
 compare, it is with a view to show a likeness; 
 when we contrast, it is in order to shew a dissimili- 
 tude. The dreadful ravages of war cannot be com- 
 pared to, but may be contrasted with, the quiet 
 blessings of peace. A man may be compared to a 
 tree, because we can discover many points in which 
 they resemble each other. White is contrasted 
 with black. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 When we the squalid poverty of the artisan or 
 
 labourer with the comforts and refinement of the middle and 
 higher classes, how striking is the difference ! 
 
 These two men differed so widely in character and habits, 
 that it would be absurd to attempt to institute a be- 
 tween them. 
 
 On ■ the two books, I found that both writers had 
 
 treated the subject in nearly a similar manner, and that they 
 differed only in detail. 
 
 On entering this abode of desolation, what a ■■ pre- 
 
 sented itself! I had just left a company of light-hearted, 
 joyous companions, full of mirth and -olhty : — here I found 
 
366 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH S^-NONYMES. 
 
 the silence of sadness, interrupted only by the sobs of despair, 
 or the fitful slirieks of painful disease. 
 
 He who is in the habit of his own condition with 
 
 that of others, will be obliged to confess that, whatever disap- 
 pointments or reverses it has been his lot to suffer, he has 
 many reasons to consider himself fortunate. 
 
 " I will hear Brutus speak : — 
 
 I will hear Cassius, and their reasons," 
 
 '' In lovely to this glorious view, 
 
 Calmly magnificent, then we will turn 
 
 To where the silver Thames fii*st rural grows." 
 
 To conciliate — to reconcile. 
 
 To conciliate is to gain the good- will of others 
 for ourselves ; to reconcile is to bring together those 
 who have been at variance. One man conciliates 
 the esteem of another. A common friend reconciles 
 two persons who have quarrelled. In conciliating, 
 we attract others to ourselves ; in reconciling, we 
 bring two others together. Our manners conciliate ; 
 our influence reconciles. 
 
 When we reconcile ourselves to things or persons, 
 we make the first advances to them. When we 
 conciliate others, we behave in such a way that they 
 make the first advances to us. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The kindness and clemency of Julius Caesar soon 
 
 the minds even of those who had been his most implacable 
 enemies. 
 
 The two parties entertained such a violent hatred towards 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 367 
 
 each other, that it required all the experience and tact of the 
 minister to them. 
 
 I shall never be able to myself to a life so full of 
 
 difficulties and dangers. 
 
 It was no easy matter to such fierce and savage 
 
 tribes, and induce them to submit to the absolute dominion of 
 a foreign power. 
 
 By the mediation of a third party, the quarrel was at length 
 made up, and both parties declared that they were wholly 
 to each other. 
 
 " The preacher may enforce his doctrines in the style of 
 authority, for it is his profession to summon mankind to their 
 
 duty ; but an uncommissioned instructor will study to 
 
 whilst he attempts to correct." 
 
 The most difficult task for a minister is to all the 
 
 parties which exist in the state to his own interests, and to 
 conflicting factions to each other. 
 
 "It must be confessed a happy attachment, which can 
 the Laplander to his freezing snows, and the African 
 
 to his scorching sun." 
 
 To covfess — to acknowledge. 
 
 To acknoioledge is to make known by any means 
 of communication ; to confess is to make known by 
 speaking. An acknowledgment is public ; a con- 
 fession is private. The former is said of a fault, or 
 a mistake, and is used in reference to venial errors ; 
 the latter applies particularly to graver charges. 
 We acknowledge an omission of duty ; we confess a 
 commission of sin. A debt is acknowledged; a 
 crime is confessed. 
 
368 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It is not sufficient that we our faults ; we ought also 
 
 to endeavour to compensate for the injuiy which our errors 
 may have caused to others. 
 
 The police officer that he had done wrong, in allow- 
 ing the man to quit his presence even for a moment ; but he 
 strongly denied that the prisoner's escape had been effected by 
 his connivance. 
 
 It was not till after he was tried and convicted on the 
 
 clearest evidence that the prisoner his guilt, and made 
 
 a long statement of all the circumstances connected with the 
 robbery. 
 
 Fourteen of the conspirators were condemned and executed ; 
 seven of whom died their crime. 
 
 They died penitent, the justness of the sentence by 
 
 which they were executed. 
 
 Dangerfield, being committed to Newgate, the for- 
 
 ger}% which, though probably of his own contrivance, he 
 ascribed to the Earl of Castlemain, the Countess of Powis, and 
 the five lords in the Tower. 
 
 To confute — to refute. 
 
 When one argument is neutralized by another, it 
 is confuted; when an assertion is proved to be false 
 it is refuted, A confuted proposition is reduced to 
 an absurdity. AVhen a charge is refuted, the refu- 
 tation remains triumphant, but does not alter the 
 character of the charge. In confuting, we prove 
 the absurdity — in refuting, we prove the falsehood 
 of an assertion. Opinions, arguments, paradoxes. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 369 
 
 &c. are confuted ; slander, insinuations, accusations, 
 &c. are refuted. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " 'Tis such absurd, miserable stuff, that we will not honour 
 
 it with especial ation." 
 
 " The learned do, by turns, the leam'd , 
 
 Yet all depart unaltered by dispute." 
 
 " Philip of Macedon by the force of gold all the 
 
 wisdom of Athens." 
 
 " He could on either side dispute, 
 
 , change hands, and still ." 
 
 "He knew that there were so many witnesses in these 
 two miracles, that it was impossible to such multi- 
 tudes." 
 
 He made some slight effort to the charge brought 
 
 against him, but without success ; and his reputation thus 
 received a blow from which it never afterwards wholly re- 
 covered. 
 
 " The arguments employed on the opposite side, in favour of 
 this view of the question, were so weak and inconclusive, that 
 
 we had no difficulty in them." 
 
 "Self-destruction sought, es 
 
 That excellence thought in thee." 
 
 To conjecture — to guess. 
 
 We guess about the fact ; we conjecture on the 
 possibility of the fact. A conjecture is more vague 
 than a guess. We may have a reason for guessing, 
 but conjecture is pure hazard. We guess a person's 
 age from his appearance. When we are utterly at 
 
 B B 
 
370 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 a loss to comprehend a sentencej all we can do is to 
 conjecture its meaning. A guess is an approach to 
 the truth. A conjecture may, or may not, be near 
 the truth. In guessing, we arrive at a probable 
 conclusion from imperfect premises ; in conjectur- 
 ing, we arrive at a possible conclusion from uncer- 
 tain premises. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 Not having seen his friend for a long time, he that 
 
 illness was the cause of his absence. 
 
 The settled gloom of his countenance, his restless eye, and 
 
 anxious expression, made it easy to the unhappy state 
 
 of his mind. 
 
 The blind man, after carefully passing his hand over the 
 
 stranger's countenance, immediately that it was the 
 
 same person who had taken shelter in his cottage a few weeks 
 before. 
 
 Some children riddles much more readily than 
 
 others* 
 
 Having no suspicion of poison, the physician was at a loss 
 to the cause of such violent symptoms. 
 
 The landlady, ing by my exterior that I was not 
 
 likely to be a profitable customer, replied that she had no 
 accommodation fcir gentlemen of my appearance. 
 
 The mariners by the clouded state of the horizon, 
 
 and the sudden gusts of wind, that a storm was rapidly 
 approaching. 
 
 " Persons of studious and contemplative natures often 
 entertain themselves with the history of past ages, or raise 
 
 schemes and upon futurity." 
 
 " And these discoveries make us all confess 
 That sublunary science is but ." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 371 
 
 To contemplate — to meditate. 
 
 "We contemplate sensible objects ; we meditate on 
 actions or abstract qualities. The starry heavens 
 and the rising sun are fit objects for contemplation. 
 Ingratitude, friendship, benevolence, &c., are proper 
 subjects for meditation. 
 
 When these words are used in the sense of to 
 intend, there is this difference between them, that 
 contemplate is more immediately followed by the 
 intended action than meditate. In this sense, what 
 we contemplate, we look upon as likely ; what we 
 meditate, we consider as probable, but more remote. 
 We contemplate a journey into the country; we 
 meditate an excursion abroad. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The of nature fills the mind with the sublimest 
 
 thoughts. 
 
 During the long period of his confinement, he had full lei- 
 sure to on his past folHes ; and he left the prison with 
 
 a strong determination to reform his life, and become a respect- 
 able and useful member of society. 
 
 He was aroused from his by the loud report of a 
 
 gun, and turning his head to the right, he perceived two men, 
 in the dress of hunters, approaching the spot where he stood. 
 
 As they had not any danger, they were unprovided 
 
 with weapons, of defence. 
 
 In the nature of the Divine Being, the soul is lost 
 
 in her own insignificance, and is utterly confounded by the 
 immensity and infinity of the object. 
 
 I have been for some months a journey to Italy, but 
 
372 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 I am now so overw^helmed with business, that I see no likeli- 
 hood of its taking place this year. 
 
 The poet stood on a lofty eminence, formed by the peak of 
 
 a craggy rock, and the scene below him with unmixed 
 
 delight. 
 
 " I sincerely wish myself with you to the wonders 
 
 of God in the firmament, rather than the madness of man on 
 the earth." 
 
 " But a very small part of the moments spent in on 
 
 the past produce any reasonable caution or salutary sorrow." 
 
 To copy — to imitate. 
 
 To copy has to do with the outward appearance ; 
 to imitate, with internal signification. We copy- 
 words ; we imitate meaning. The result of a copy- 
 is a likeness to the eye ; the result of an imitation 
 is a likeness to the mind. In copyings we multiply 
 the original ; in imitating, we present a variety of 
 the original. In copying a sentence, we transcribe 
 the words which it contains ; in imitating a sen- 
 tence, we construct one in a similar manner to the 
 one placed before us. The hand copies ; the mind 
 imitates. A painting may be copied ; the style of 
 a painter may be imitated. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Poetry and music have the power of ing the man- 
 ners of men." 
 
 " Since a true knowledge of nature gives us pleasure, a 
 lively of it,^ either in poetry or painting, must produce 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 373 
 
 a much greater ; for both these arts are not only true 
 of nature, but of the best nature." 
 
 " The Komans having sent to Athens and the Greek cities 
 
 of Italy for the of the best laws, chose ten legislators 
 
 to put them into form." 
 
 " We should remember that although it be allowable to form 
 our general style upon that of some eminent writer, yet that 
 
 a close and servile of the style of any author will lead 
 
 us to adopt its faults as well as its beauties." 
 
 " I have not the vanity to think my equal to the 
 
 original." 
 
 The two paintmgs so closely resembled each other, that it 
 
 was extremely difficult to determine which was the ■ and 
 
 which the original. 
 
 • the six first stanzas of this poem. 
 
 " Some imagine that whatsoever they find in the picture of 
 a master who has acquired reputation, must, of necessity, be 
 
 excellent ; and never fail, when they , to follow the 
 
 bad as well as the good things." 
 
 To decrease — to diminish. 
 
 To decrease is to grow less ; to diminish is to 
 make or become less. To decrease is relative and 
 gradual ; to diminish is positive. To decrease is an 
 internal, and to diminish an external action. In 
 addition to which distinction it may be proper to 
 remark, that to decrease is more frequently applied 
 to quantity or size, and to diminish, to number. 
 Things decrease when they grow less from within, 
 or when the cause of their growing less is imper- 
 ceptible. They are diminished when something is 
 taken from them from without, or when the cause of 
 
 B B 3 
 
 
374 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYN0NY3IES. 
 
 their becoming less is more evident. Water ex- 
 posed to tlie sun decreases in quantity. A snow- 
 ball during a thaw will decrease in size. An army- 
 is diminished in numbers by disease or famine. 
 Many substances decrease in size by shrinking, such 
 as flannel, cloth, &c. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 As we approach winter, the days gradually in 
 
 length. 
 
 That which we call good is apt to cause or increase pleasure, 
 or pain in us. 
 
 Upon instituting an examination of his affairs, it was dis- 
 covered that, from a long course of reckless extravagance, his 
 income was by at least one-half. 
 
 By some untoward accident, the gas was allowed to escape 
 much more . quickly than was intended ; in consequence of 
 which the balloon ■ in size so rapidly, that the 
 
 aeronauts were in imminent danger of being- precipitated to 
 the earth. 
 
 "When the sun comes to his tropics, days increase and 
 
 but a very little for a great while together." 
 
 " Crete's ample fields to our eye. 
 
 Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly." 
 
 To dissert — to discuss. 
 
 In a dissertation, we expatiate upon a subject, 
 and engraft upon it our own ideas, in order to 
 explain it more fully. A dissertation is then an 
 amplified discourse. In discussing, we examine the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SrNTONYMES. 375 
 
 real meaning of what is before us, by shaking out, as 
 it were, its points singly and separately. The 
 object both of a dissertation and a discussion is to 
 arrive at a more perfect knowledge of a subject. 
 In disserting, we add our own ideas by way of illus- 
 tration ; in discussing, we examine, to come at the 
 real meaning. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " A country fellow distinguishes himself as much in the 
 church-yard as a citizen does upon 'Change ; the whole parish 
 
 poHtics being generally * in that place either after the 
 
 sermon or before the bell rings." 
 
 " This knotty point should you and 1 , 
 
 Or tell a tale?'* 
 
 " Plutarch in his ion on the poets, quotes an in- 
 stance of Homer's judgment in closing a ludicrous scene with 
 decency and instruction." 
 
 " Could I, however, repeat to you the words of a venerable 
 sage (for I can call him no other), whom I once heard 
 
 ing on the topic of religion, and whom still I hear 
 
 whenever I think on him ; you might accept perhaps my 
 religious theories as candidly as you have my moral." 
 
 "We are here to only those general exceptions 
 
 which have been taken." 
 
 ions are frequently written on disputed points in 
 
 literature, such as Bentley's on the Epistles of 
 
 Phalaris, De Pauw's on the Egyptians and Chinese, 
 
 &c. &c. 
 
 To equivocate — to prevaricate. 
 
 i To prevaricate is to evade a question so as to 
 escape detection ; to equivocate is to answer a 
 
 B B 4 
 
376 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 question in such a way that two senses are involved. 
 The object of the prevaricator is to escape detection; 
 that of the equivocator is to deceive his questioner. 
 The prevaricator shuffles ; the equivocator misleads. 
 An equivocator conceals the real meaning under the 
 one put forth ; a prevaricator gives us no informa- 
 tion on the subject of our question. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 The evidence of this witness was so full of , that 
 
 the judge ordered that he should be immediately taken 
 into custody, and there held during the pleasure of the. 
 court. 
 
 A sentence is when it is equally intelHgible in two 
 
 distinct senses ; as, for example, in the following French ex- 
 pression : " Je voudrais bien I'avoir." This, when pro- 
 nounced, would leave the meaning , for it might signify 
 
 equally : " I should like to have it," and " I should like to see 
 her.'' 
 
 " Several Romans, taken prisoners by Hannibal, were re- 
 leased upon obliging themselves by an oath to return again to 
 his camp : among these was one who, thinking to elude the 
 oath, went the same day back to the camp, on pretence of 
 
 having forgotten something ; but this was so shocking 
 
 to the Roman senate, that they ordered him to be delivered up 
 to Hannibal." 
 
 Irish witnesses are remarkable both for their ■ and 
 
 I ; they either endeavour to avoid the question alto- 
 
 gether, or else they answer it in such a way as to give no 
 satisfactory information. 
 
 " There is no ing with God when we are on the very 
 
 threshold of his presence." 
 
 "A secret liar or or is such a one as by mental 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 377 
 
 reservations and other tricks deceives him to whom he speaks, 
 being lawfully called to deliver all the truth." 
 
 Toforetel — to predict. 
 
 We foretel by calculation, and with some degree 
 of certainty ; we predict from pure conjecture. 
 Strictly, no one can predict, though wisdom and 
 experience will frequently enable men to foretel 
 what will happen. Astronomers foretel eclipses ; 
 astrologers predict good or bad fortune. 
 
 The noun prediction expresses what is foretold, as 
 well as what is predicted, but Tve should not for 
 that reason place the same fate in the predictions of 
 a gipsy or an almanac-maker, as in those of a phi- 
 losopher or an astronomer. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 It has been , that when London shall join Hamp- 
 
 stead, extraordinary changes will take place in England ; 
 what these changes are, the prophet did not mention, but there 
 
 seems every likelihood that the truth of his will be 
 
 soon put to the test. 
 
 Astronomers can calculate eclipses with such precision, 
 
 that they the very moment in which they will take 
 
 place. 
 
 Mr. Murphy, whose weather-almanac gained him so high a 
 
 reputation some years past, goes on every year, but 
 
 no one any longer places faith in his . 
 
 Though their father perceived and all the difficulties 
 
 and dangers they would have to undergo, the sons turned 
 
378 EXERCISES ox ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 a deaf ear to his representations, and,*being obstinately bent 
 upon the undertaking, lost no time in preparing for its execu- 
 tion. 
 
 The Roman augurs, whose office it was to the good 
 
 fortune or ill success of an undertaking, were themselves so 
 alive to the absurdity of their assumption, that, according to 
 Cicero, they could not look each other in the face without 
 bursting into laughter. 
 
 " Above the rest, the sun, who never lies, 
 the change of weather in the skies." 
 
 To go hack — to return. 
 
 Those who are in a place we have left, speak of 
 US as having gone back ; those who are in a place 
 at which we are arrived, speak of us as having 
 returned. We go back yro»^, we return ^o. In the 
 former, the idea of the place we have just left is 
 prominent ; in the latter, the idea of the place we 
 are arrived at predominates. A man sets out from 
 London to Liverpool ; on his arrival at Birmingham, 
 he finds himself obliged to go back from Birming- 
 ham, and return to London. 
 
 . Though the preposition to is not always expressed 
 after the verb return, it is always understood. In 
 such phrases as " The boy returned from school," 
 there is always understood, to his father's house, or 
 some such equivalent. The same remark (of the 
 preposition from) may be made of the verb *• go 
 back." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 379 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "To to the business in hand, the use of a little insight 
 
 in those parts of knowledge is to accustom our minds to all 
 sorts of knowledge." 
 
 After remaining with us for two months, during which he 
 had leisure to examine all the curiosities in the neighbourhood, 
 
 he home to his friends in the country, where he is 
 
 now engaged in writing a work on the natural history of this 
 place. 
 
 Having discovered that my trunk had been left behind at 
 Wiesbaden, I was obliged to from Biberich to Wiesba- 
 den to fetch it, which detained me a night longer than I had 
 intended. 
 
 When he had gone through the usual course of study in the 
 
 medical schools, he from Paris with the intention of 
 
 establishing himself as a physician in London. 
 
 I knocked at my friend's door and asked if he had • 
 
 London ; the servant answered that he had been in town, but 
 that he was into the country. 
 
 To prevail loith — to prevail upon. 
 
 We prevail with another, when our influence is 
 sufficiently strong with him to persuade him to do 
 that to which he was not inclined ; we prevail upon 
 another, when our arguments are sufficiently strong 
 to cause him to do that to which he was violently 
 disinclined. An address to the feelings prevails 
 with another ; an address to the reason prevails 
 upon another. Milton makes Eve say : " The ser- 
 pent prevailed with me." Charles the First could 
 
380 EXERCISES 0>f ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 not be prevailed upon to give up the command of 
 the army. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " There are four sorts of arguments that men, in their 
 reasoning, make use of to ■ them." 
 
 " Herod, hearing of Agrippa's arrival in Upper Asia, went 
 thither to him, and him to accept an invitation." 
 
 " Upon assurances of revolt, the queen was — to send 
 
 her forces upon that expedition." 
 
 " He w^as — to restrain the Earl of Bristol upon his 
 
 first arrival." 
 
 " They are more in danger to go out of the way, who are 
 marching under the conduct of a guide, that it is a hundred 
 to one will mislead them, than he that has not yet taken a 
 step, and is likeher to be - — ^ — to inquire after the right 
 way." 
 
 " some judicious friend to be your constant hearer, 
 
 and allow him the utmost freedom." 
 
 " Having reasoned with him for some time on his folly, and 
 seriously entreated him to consider its inevitable consequences, 
 I at last . him to revoke the order." 
 
 obdurate minds nothing . 
 
 To repeal — to revoke. 
 
 Both these words mean to call back. Repeal 
 from the French rappeler ; and revoke, from the 
 Latin revocare. 
 
 We revoke what has been said, we repeal what 
 has been laid down, as law. Hence, edicts are 
 revoked, and statutes are repealed. The proclaimed 
 aw is revoked ; the written law is repealed. We 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYXONYMES. 381 
 
 do not say the repeal — but the revocation of the 
 edict of Nantes : neither do we speak of the revoca- 
 tion — but of the repeal of the Irish Union. Both 
 words are used chiefly in a legal or political sense. 
 It should also be observed that a single individual 
 revokes, and that an assembly repeals. Emperors 
 and kings can revoke a sentence; the Parliament 
 can repeal laws. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 No arguments could induce the cruel Sultan to the 
 
 decree he had published against these unoffending people, and 
 in a few weeks, they were all banished from the country. 
 
 Such laws as are not found necessary to execute, or which 
 have arisen from circumstances no longer existing, should be 
 immediately . 
 
 The '■ — of those taxes which pressed most heavily on 
 
 the poorer portion of the population was now found abso- 
 lutely necessary, and a law was passed to that effect, at the 
 beginning of the session. 
 
 The order was just in time to save the poor prisoner, 
 
 who, otherwise, would have inevitably suffered death that 
 morning. 
 
 Seeing the injury they had caused, the king determined 
 
 these privileges, and to throw open the competition 
 
 to all ranks of the state. 
 
 " When we abrogate a law as being ill-made, the whole 
 cause for which it was made still remaining, do we not herein 
 
 our o^vn deed, and upbraid ourselves with folly ? " 
 
 Shall— Will. 
 I The following explanations will shew the distinc- 
 I tion between these auxiliaries : — 
 
382 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 I. When the sentence is affirmative, shall^ in the 
 first person, expresses purpose or intention ; in the 
 second and third, it commands. 
 
 Will, in the first person, promises; in the second 
 and third, it expresses purpose. 
 
 II. When the sentence is interrogative, sholl, in 
 the first and third persons, asks the permission or 
 advice of another ; in the second, it asks the inten- 
 tion of another. 
 
 Will is never used properly (interrogatively) in 
 tlie first person singular or plural ; in the second, 
 it inquires about the will, and in the third, about 
 the purpose of others. 
 
 The table below will perhaps more clearly explain 
 the distinction between these words, so puzzling to 
 natives as well as to foreigners. 
 
 I. (Affirmatively.) 
 
 Singular. 
 
 fl shall go = I intend to go. 
 
 ll will go =1 promise to go. 
 
 J You shall go = I command you to go. 
 
 * i You will go = You intend to go. 
 
 3. f He shall go =1 command him to go. 
 
 LHe will go = He intends to go. 
 
 Plural. 
 
 {We shall go = We intend to go. 
 We will go = We promise to go. 
 2. As the singular. 
 
 f They shall go = I command them to go. 
 ' * L They will go = They intend to go. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 383 
 
 II. (Interrogatively.) 
 
 Singular, 
 
 f Shall I go ? = Do you wish me to go ? 
 
 ^' L Will I go ? = incorrect (never said). 
 
 r Shall you go ? = Do you intend to go ? 
 
 2 i f choose 1 
 
 • [ yiU you go ? = Do you | ^^^.^^ |. to go ? 
 
 {Shall he go ? = Do you permit him to go ? 
 r choose -| 
 Will he go ? = Does he | .^^^^^ j to go ? 
 
 Plural. 
 
 ^ r Shall we go ? = Do you | ^oose | us to go ? 
 
 L Will we go ? = incorrect (never said). ^ 
 
 2. As the singular. 
 
 {Shall they go ? = Do you choose them to go ? 
 
 Will they go ? = Do they intend to go ? 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I lift up the veil of my weakness any further, or 
 
 is this disclosure sufficient ? " 
 
 " WTiat we say ? Which of these is happier ? " 
 
 " He was a man, take him for all in all. 
 
 We ne'er look upon his like again." 
 
 " The law be known to morrow to far the greatest 
 
 number of those who may be tempted to break it." 
 
 "I not urge that private considerations ought 
 
 always to give way to the necessities of the pubhc." 
 
 I go to Brighton to-morrow, and fake an 
 
 early opportunity of calling on your friend there. 
 
 " But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou 
 
 not eat ; for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou 
 
 surely die." 
 
 " Thou — not leave me in the loathsome grave 
 
 His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul 
 For ever with corruption there to dwell." 
 
384 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 To loake — to waken. 
 
 To wake is to cease from sleeping ; to waken is 
 to make to cease from sleeping. The former is an 
 intransitive, the second, a transitive verb. This 
 explanation will be illustrated in the following 
 examples : — " The child woke at six o'clock," and, 
 " They wakened the child at six o'clock." * 
 
 These verbs, when used with the prefix a (awake, 
 awaken), have a more intensive meaning ; thus, one 
 who wakes, no longer sleeps ; but one who awakes, 
 rouses himself up from his sleep, and shakes it off. 
 Again, one who wakens another interrupts his 
 sleep ; but one who awakens another takes care that 
 he shall not fall again into his former state of 
 sleep. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " I cannot think any time, — ing or sleeping, without 
 
 being sensible of it." 
 
 " When he was with the noise 
 
 And saw the beast so small, 
 What's this, quoth he, that gives so weak a voice 
 
 That men withal ? " 
 
 " Alack, I am afraid they have 
 
 And 'tis not done ! " 
 
 " The book ends abruptly with his ing in a fright." 
 
 " The soul has its curiosity more than ordinarily 
 
 ♦ By the older authors these two verbs were used indis- 
 criminately in a transitive or intransitive sense ; but the dif- 
 ference here explained is observed by all the best modern 
 writers. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 385 
 
 when it turns its thoughts upon the conduct of such who have 
 behaved themselves with an equal, a resigned, a cheerful, a 
 generous, or heroic temper in the extremity of death." 
 
 I at five o'clock, and rising immediately, prepared 
 
 for my departure. 
 
 " Death is a scene calculated to — — some feeling in the 
 most obdurate breast." 
 
 I desired the servant to me at seven the next 
 
 morning. 
 
 A II — Every — Each, 
 All is collective ; every is distributive ; each is 
 restrictive. All describes things or persons taken 
 together ; every describes them taken singly ; and 
 each describes them taken separately. In the three 
 following phrases, — 1. All the men. 2. Every 
 man. 3. Each man, — the first designates a body 
 of men taken together ; the second may designate 
 the same number and in the same position, but 
 considered singly ; the third considers them apart 
 from each other. Besides these distinctions, it is to 
 be remembered, that each relates to two or more 
 individuals : every, always to more than two. 
 
 Exercise, 
 • man's performances, to be rightly estimated, must 
 
 1 compared to the state of the age in which he lived." 
 
 *' Taken singly and individually, it might be difficult to 
 
 conceive how ■ event wrought for good. They must be 
 
 viewed in their consequences and effects." 
 C C 
 
386 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. ] 
 
 " Harold, by his marriage, broke measures with the | 
 
 Duke of Normandy." r \ 
 
 " And Brutus is an honorable man, ! 
 
 So are they , honorable men." 
 
 " one that has any idea of a foot, finds that he can ' 
 
 repeat that idea, and joining it to the former, make the idea of \ 
 
 two feet." ' 
 
 " Wise Plato said the world with men w^as stored, ; 
 
 That succour to other might afford." 
 
 " Aristotle has long since observed how unreasonable it is 
 
 to expect the same kind of proof for thing, which we -'■ 
 
 have for some things." 
 
 Though it is our duty to live amicably, we cannot live in ; 
 friendship, with men« \ 
 
 Any — Some, | 
 
 Some is a certain individual or collective quantity, i 
 
 in other respects indefinite. Any is whatever I 
 
 individual or quantity you please ; it is applied to | 
 
 all individuals of every species, and is indefinite in \ 
 
 every respect. \ 
 
 Some men wish to speak to you. j 
 
 I do not wish to see any men. [ 
 
 Some houses are more convenient than others. \ 
 
 Any houses are more convenient than this. ] 
 
 Someihmg has happened to vex me. j 
 
 I never knew any thing so provoking. \ 
 
 Exercise, \ 
 
 I have seen tiling to-day which struck me as very , 
 
 remarkable. >! 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 387 
 
 I never saw thing equal to that fellow's stupidity. 
 
 If you will call on me to-morrow between five and six 
 o'clock, I have thing curious to shew you. 
 
 Shall I send you fruit ? Not , I thank you. 
 
 We must converse on that subject day when we are 
 
 alone, and there is no one to interrupt us. 
 
 I shall be at home all day to-morrow ; and shall be happy 
 to see you at hour you choose to come. 
 
 At rate, I shall be sure to see you time 
 
 before your departure for India. 
 
 Never allow your time to pass in total inactivity ; 
 
 occupation, however insignificant, is better than being idle. 
 
 children have a quicker perception than others ; but 
 
 those who have common sense can generally understand what 
 is clearly explained. 
 
 " of them did us no great honor by their claims of 
 
 kindred." 
 
 " to the shores did fly, 
 
 to the woods, or whither fear advised, 
 
 But running from, all to destruction hie." 
 ' How fit is this retreat for uninterrupted study ! 
 
 one that sees it will own, I could not have chosen a more 
 likely place to converse with the dead in." 
 
 Common — Ordinary, 
 
 1. The distinction between these words when 
 they signify of frequent use is this : What is com- 
 mon is done by many persons ; what is ordinary is 
 repeated many times. Ordinary has to do with the 
 repetition of the act; common, with the persons who 
 perform it. Thus, to dine is a common practice, 
 because it is done by many persons ; and it is an 
 c c 2 
 
 i 
 
388 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONrMES. 
 
 ordinary practice, since it is repeated every day. 
 As nouns, the same difference exists between the 
 two words ; a common is a piece of ground which 
 many persons have an equal right of enjoying ; an 
 ordinary is a meal repeated daily or weekly. 
 
 2. In the sense of loiv, ordinary wants distinction ; 
 common wants attraction. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " Men may change their climate, but they cannot their na- 
 ture. A man that goes out a fool, cannot ride or sail himself 
 into sense." 
 
 " Though in arbitrary governments there may be a body of 
 
 jaws obscured in the forms of justice, they are not 
 
 sufficient to secure any rights to the people, because they may 
 be dispensed with." 
 
 " Though life and sense be to man and brutes, and 
 
 their operations in many things aUke ; yet by this form he 
 lives the life of a man, and not of a brute, and has the sense of 
 a man, and not of a brute." 
 
 "Neither is it strange that there should be mysteries in 
 divinity, as well as in the operations of nature." 
 
 It is a ly received opinion that art cannot flourish 
 
 without patronage ; that is, that unless, in every country, 
 individuals of rank and wealth bestow some of their riches in 
 encouraging the efforts "of the artist, those efforts must fail, 
 and. their originator must languish in poverty and neglect. 
 
 " Every reader, upon the publishing of a new poem 
 
 has will and ill-nature enough to turn several passages of it 
 into ridicule, and very often in the right place." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS STNONYMES. 389 
 
 Enormous — Immense, 
 Enormous is out of rule ; immense, beyond 
 measure. Enormous is properly applied to magni- 
 tude ; immense, to extent and distance. A giant is 
 enormous ; the ocean is immense. A man of enor- 
 mous strength is one who is stronger than most 
 men ; a man of immense strength is one whose 
 strength is incalculable. Immense expresses a higher 
 degree than enormous. Milo of Crotona was said 
 to possess enormous strength. The distance from the 
 earth to the sun is immense. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The national debt of Great Britain is calculated at between 
 
 eight and nine hundred millions sterling ; an sum, 
 
 and which would appear sufficient to crush the energies of the 
 most industrious nation on earth. 
 
 The hydro -oxygen microscope magnifies to 10,000 times, 
 so that mites in cheese, when seen through its tube, appear of 
 an size. 
 
 It is related of Maximin, the Roman emperor, that he was 
 
 a man of such size, that his wife's bracelet usually 
 
 served him for a thumb-ring ; and also that his strength was 
 so , that he could break a horse's leg with a kick." 
 
 The greater part of North America, when first colonized, 
 
 was covered with • forests, which have been gradually 
 
 cleared away, as the settlers increased, and required the ground 
 for cultivation. 
 
 The ■ expanse of ocean which here presents itself to 
 
 the eye of the astonished beholder, fills him with the subhmest 
 thoughts. 
 
 His appetite was so , that one of his usual meals 
 
 C C 3 
 
390 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 would have sufficed to satisfy the desires of four ordinary \ 
 men. 
 
 " The Thracian Acamas his falchion found, 
 
 And hew^d the giant to the ground." 
 
 " O goodness infinite t goodness ! 
 
 That all this good of evil shall produce ! 
 
 Ferocious — Savage, ,-. 
 
 The etymology of the word ferocious is, partak- ; 
 
 ing of the nature of beasts ; the derivation of savage \ 
 
 points to a particular mode of life ; viz. that of the \ 
 
 woods. Ferocious is, therefore, like a wild beast ; • 
 
 savage, like an inhabitant of the woods. Ferocious j 
 
 is opposed to gentle ; savage, to civilised. The ; 
 
 cruelty of a savage is the consequence of his mode of ; 
 life, of his want of intercourse with his fellow-men, 
 &c. ; the cruelty of a ferocious man arises from his 
 
 natural disposition. Savages are not always fero- . 
 
 cious; many of them have been remarkable for ■ 
 
 their gentleness of disposition. The savage man ] 
 
 requires culture and civilisation ; the ferocious man \ 
 
 requires taming. 1 
 
 Exercise, \ 
 
 Among civilised men, we have as many examples of ] 
 
 brutality, as among the untutored savages of the woods. 
 The parties of American Indians who lately visited London 
 
 exhibited all the varieties of a life before their spec*- 
 
 tators ; they pitched their tents, sang, danced, shot at a 
 target, &c. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 391 
 
 It is an error to suppose that the habits of a life 
 
 necessarily involve cruelty of disposition, though it must be 
 admitted that they frequently produce that result. 
 
 The Komans were considered a civilised people, and yet, 
 where do we find more frequent examples of a disposi- 
 tion than among the Roman soldiery ? 
 
 Of all the tribes which contributed to the destruc- 
 tion of the Roman empire, the Huns were the most 
 
 and the most formidable. 
 
 The victory which the rebels had thus gained was followed 
 by the most cruelties. 
 
 " The character of Moloch appears both in the 
 
 battle and the council with exact consistency." 
 
 The natm-e of the young barbarian was soon softened 
 
 by his intercourse with the inhabitants of civilised nations. 
 
 " Thus people lived altogether a life, till Saturn, 
 
 arriving on those coasts, devised laws to govern them." 
 
 Grecian — Greek, 
 
 The adjectives Greek and Grecian are often indis- 
 criminately used. The distinction which ought to 
 be observed between them is as follows : — Greek 
 signifies belonging to Greece ; and Grecian, relating 
 to Greece. We may speak of a Greek poet, the 
 Greek language ; and of Grecian architecture, or 
 Grecian history. Ail imitation of what is Greek, is 
 Grecian. A Greek helmet is one preserved as a 
 piece of antiquity ; a Grecian helmet is one made of 
 the same form and shape. A Greek temple is a 
 temple in Greece ; a Grecian temple is one built upon 
 the model of a Greek temple, 
 c c 4 
 
392 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " I shall publish, very speedily, the translation of a little 
 manuscript." 
 
 "Look upon Greece and its free states, and you would 
 think its inhabitants lived in different climates, and under 
 different heavens from those at present ; so different are the 
 
 geniuses which are formed under Turkish slavery, and 
 
 liberty." 
 
 " In the tongue he hath his name Apollyon." 
 
 " The whole school of the rhetoricians of that time 
 
 (the reign of Hadrian), who looked upon themselves as form- 
 ing a second golden age of oratory, spoke and wrote from the 
 models of the ancients, but, unfortunately, there is no substance 
 in what they spoke and wrote." 
 
 " It is not surprising, however culpable, that in opposition * 
 to the general taste of mankind, many still admire, and labour 
 
 to restore, the Gothic architecture ; or that, tired of 
 
 beauty, they endeavour to import into northern climates a 
 style often mixed and modified with their own grotesque or 
 puerile inventions." 
 
 Handsome — Pretty, 
 Handsome qualifies what is at once striking and 
 noble. Pretty is said of that which combines the 
 qualities small, regular, graceful, and delicate. We 
 admire what is handsome ; we love what is pretty. 
 Trees are handsome. Flowers are pretty. Neither 
 handsome nor pretty is of necessity combined with 
 expression, though they do not exclude it. A man 
 may be handsome, and a woman pretty, without 
 either of them having an intelligent expression. 
 The words imply merely regularity, proportion, and 
 symmetry. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONY]^IES. 393 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 At the foot of the hill stood a cottage in the midst 
 
 of a beautiful garden filled with the choicest plants and 
 flowers. 
 
 The town-house is a building of the Doric order 
 
 extending three hundred yards along the river, and has a very- 
 striking appearance from whatever side you approach it. 
 
 Belzoni, the traveller, was a tall, man, of extraor- 
 dinary muscular strength, and able to support the greatest 
 fatigue. 
 
 I had got over the stile, and was walking through the field, 
 when I perceived a group of children amusing themselves in 
 the neighbouring meadows. They were dancing in a ring 
 
 round one of the est little girls I ever beheld, and 
 
 repeating, as they danced, some lines, which I was not near 
 enough to understand. 
 
 The Forget-me-not, one of the est flowers I ever saw, 
 
 grows wild on the hills in Prussia and Nassau. 
 
 " Dresden is the neatest town I have seen in Germany ; 
 most of the houses are new built, and the Elector's palace is 
 very ." 
 
 " The Saxon ladies resemble the Austrian no more than the 
 Chinese do those of London ; they are very genteelly dressed, 
 
 after the English and French modes, and have generally 
 
 faces." 
 
 Impertinent — Insolent, 
 
 Impertinent and insolent are both Latin words. 
 We are impertinent when we do or say any thing 
 which does not belong to us, or which is not our 
 business. We are insolent when we are heedless of 
 the rank or position in society of those whom we 
 
394 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 address. The impertinent man shews a want of 
 discretion ; the insolent man, a want of humility, 
 or self-respect. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 It is much more difficult to bear the haughtiness 
 
 of our superiors, than the behaviour of our equals or 
 
 inferiors. 
 
 His indiscretion was unparalleled ; and his curiosity so 
 
 insatiable, that he was continually asking the most 
 
 questions. 
 
 is a quality peculiar to httle minds, and results from 
 
 want of discretion and good sense ; may exist in com- 
 bination with a strong judgment, and is nearly allied to con- 
 ceit and egotism; the former excites our pity or contempt, 
 the latter is always odious. 
 
 A modest and respectful deportment sits well upon all 
 persons, especially upon the young, in whom an — — — 
 forwardness, and prying curiosity, are most reprehensible qua- 
 lities. 
 
 Finding that his deceit was likely to be discovered, and hav- 
 ing exhausted all his arts of concealment, he assumed an 
 
 tone, expecting to frighten his accusers into a belief of what 
 he could not persuade them was true. 
 
 On being questioned by the master about what he knew of 
 
 the matter, the boy, replied, with great , that he was 
 
 his own master when the school-hours were over, and that he 
 was not responsible for his actions to any one but his parents. 
 
 "The ladies whom you visit think a wise man the most 
 
 creature living ; therefore you cannot be offended that 
 
 they are displeased with you." 
 
 " We have not pillaged those provinces which we rescued ; 
 victory itself hath not made us masters." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 39o 
 
 Ingenious — Ingenuous, 
 
 Ingenious respects the intellectual; ingenuous, 
 the moral man. Ingenious appears in the work ; 
 ingenuous, in the face. Men are ingenious who 
 invent or contrive what raises our admiration. 
 Children are ingenuous in whose character there is 
 no deceit. An ingenious contrivance ; an ingenu- 
 ous answer. Both these words, in their derivation, 
 lead us to the idea of a natural, inborn quality ; the 
 one moral, the other intellectual. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He who does not choose to screen himself from punish- 
 ment by a falsehood, will — ■ ly confess his fault. 
 
 An behaviour is, in some degree, a compensation 
 
 for faults committed. 
 
 He is who is apt at inventing modes of evading 
 
 difficulties, or who can with facihty construct machines which 
 shall answer certain intended purposes. 
 
 It is to disclaim a title to that praise which we are 
 
 conscious of not deserving. 
 
 An artisan is ready at contrivances, and is quick at 
 
 applying them to his handicraft. 
 
 The youngest son is a noble boy, with a frank and 
 
 countenance, and by far the handsomest of the family. 
 
 On being asked the question, the boy, — * — ^ly acknow- 
 ledged his fault, and told every thing he knew of the trans- 
 action. 
 
 What is there which the of man will not at length 
 
 accompHsh ! He skims over the surface of the ocean, dives 
 into the deepest recesses of the earth, and even soars into the 
 regions of the sky in search of knowledge. 
 
396 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONTMES. 
 
 " Compare the pliableness to virtuous counsels 
 
 which is in youth, to the confirmed obstinacy in an old 
 sinner." 
 
 " to their ruin, every age 
 
 Improves the arts and instruments of rage." 
 
 Irksome — Tedious. 
 
 Irksome is from the Saxon weorcsam^ bringing 
 pain, hurtful ; tedious is from the Latin tcBdium, 
 weariness caused by time. Irksomeness is the 
 uneasiness of mind caused by the contemplation of 
 what must be done, and is disagreeable to perform. 
 Tediousness is the uneasiness caused by continuing 
 for some time engaged in the same action. The 
 nature of the thing to be done makes it irksome ; 
 the time it takes doing makes it tedious. Tedious, 
 then, can never be said of what is to be done, since 
 it is the consequence of action already begun and 
 continued. A work to be done may be irksome, a 
 work nearly completed may be tedious. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " There is nothing so as general discourses, espe- 
 cially when they turn chiefly upon words." 
 
 " They unto whom we shall seem are in nowise 
 
 injured by us, because it is in their own hands to spare that 
 labour which they are not wilUng to endure." 
 
 Many persons find it very to give and receive 
 
 visits. 
 
 Having neither books, nor companions, he was at loss to 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 397 
 
 know how to employ the hours, when, to his great sur- 
 prise and satisfaction, he received a letter which informed him 
 that an intimate friend was then residing at a house not three ■ 
 miles from the place. 
 
 At last we arrived at the end of our journey, the 
 
 inconveniences of which I must relate to you in detail the first 
 opportunity. 
 
 Such is the perversity of human nature, that we frequently 
 
 find our occupations simply from the consciousness 
 
 that we are obliged to be engaged in them. 
 
 " For not to • — toil, but to dehght 
 
 He made us." 
 " On minds of dove-like innocence possessed. 
 On lightened minSs that bask in virtue's beams. 
 Nothing hangs ." 
 
 Liable — Subject, 
 
 What we are subject to arises from the nature of 
 our moral or physical constitution. We are ren- 
 dered liable by the circumstances of our position. 
 We are subject ; we become liable. All men are 
 subject to death ; whoever sits in a draught is 
 liable to cold. We incur liabilities ; we are sub- 
 ject by nature. He who runs into debt is liable to 
 arrest. Many men of irritable temperament are 
 subject to paroxysms of rage. They who calculate 
 badly are liable to sustain loss. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 We are all to the infirmities and weakness of our 
 
 mortal condition, from which no privilege can exempt any 
 individual. 
 
n 
 
 398 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Those who indulge in excess of any kind render themselves 
 • to many pains and troubles from which the sober and 
 
 moderate are exempted. 
 
 The unworthy are always the most to suspect the 
 
 motives of others, because they are conscious of their o^vn 
 unworthiness, and judge of others by themselves. 
 
 Every man is ' to death, from which no human being 
 
 has ever escaped, or will ever escape. 
 
 He was for many years ^ to violent fits of coughing, 
 
 which attacked him suddenly, and so weakened his constitution, 
 that for a long time it was thought that he would never 
 recover his health. 
 
 In many of the offices of this institution, the clerks, by 
 
 omission or neglect of duty, render themselves to 
 
 certain forfeits. 
 
 Ever since they have been in this climate, the men have 
 
 become much more to fever and ague than they were 
 
 before their arrival here. 
 
 " This, or any other scheme, coming from a private hand, 
 might be to many defects." 
 
 "The devout man aspires after some principles of more 
 
 perfect felicity, which shall not be to change or 
 
 decay." 
 
 Little — Small. 
 
 Little wants dimension ; small wants extension. 
 Little is opposed to big or great ; small is opposed 
 to large. Little is derived from the Saxon It/t dael, 
 a light portion or part. Small, from smcel, slender. 
 Little bojs become big by growing. Small children 
 become larger. A little piece does not weigh much j 
 a small piece does not present inuch surface to the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYN0NY3IES. 399 
 
 eye. The word little is often used in a secondary 
 sense for mean; as " a little action." This significa- 
 tion may be accounted for by its root, light, that is, 
 without weight, light of estimation. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I saw a pretty girl standing at the garden-gate with 
 
 her lap full of roses. 
 
 The garden, though very , was extremely well kept, 
 
 and full of the choicest plants and flowers. 
 
 This boy is a very and delicate child, and 
 
 will require great care in rearing. 
 
 The est heads do not always belong to the most 
 
 stupid persons ; frequently, the very reverse is the fact. 
 
 My words, I know, will have but weight with you ; 
 
 nevertheless, I think it my duty to warn you of the conse- 
 quences of your present course of life. 
 
 There are some insects so as not to be discernible 
 
 with the naked eye ; and these have a nervous system, circula- 
 tion of the blood, pulsation of the heart, &c. ! 
 
 This piece of lead is too to weigh against every 
 
 thing that is in the other scale ; and it is far too to 
 
 fill up the space in the wainscot between those two boards. 
 
 " He whose knowledge is at best but limited, and whose 
 
 intellect proceeds by a , diminutive light, cannot but 
 
 receive an additional light by the conceptions of another 
 man." 
 
 " The talent of turning men mto ridicule, and exposing to 
 laughter those one converses with, is the qualification of 
 , ungenerous tempers." 
 
400 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 Ludicrous — Ridiculous, 
 
 Ludicrous conveys an idea of sport or game. 
 Ridiculous, that of laughter. Ridiculous includes 
 an idea of contempt, which ludicrous does not*con- 
 vej. Persons make themselves ridiculous when they 
 do or say that which excites our laughter, mixed 
 with contempt. The affected are ridiculous. The 
 ludicrous is found in circumstances which excite 
 laughter, but which are not disparaging to the 
 person laughed at. A monkey's tricks are ludi- 
 crous. The ridiculous makes us laugh, and at the 
 same time lowers our estimation of the person or 
 thing laughed at. He who talks confidently of what 
 he does not understand, in the presence of competent 
 judges of the subject of his remarks, makes himself 
 ridiculous. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 There is no folly more carefully to be avoided than aifecta- 
 tion : it annihilates all that channing simplicity which is the 
 
 great attraction of youth, and renders us in the eyes 
 
 of all sensible persons. 
 
 It has been objected to Shakespere that by introducing 
 
 scenes into his tragedies, he calls off the attention of 
 
 the audience from the main plot, and disturbs the action of 
 the drama. 
 
 Those who endeavour to make the wise and good appear 
 in a light deserve the strongest reprehension. 
 
 If any one, fifty years ago, had predicted that we should 
 be able to travel at the rate of sixty miles an hour, the idea 
 would have been treated by his cotcmporaries as . 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 401 
 
 " Plutarch quotes this instance of Homer's judgment, in 
 closing a scene with decency and instruction." 
 
 Nothing can be more than the attempts which a 
 
 tipsy man makes to endeavour to prove to others that he is 
 perfectly sober. 
 
 " Gifford was not content with making the author ; 
 
 he desired to heap scorn on his person, and to make him out 
 a fool, a knave, or an atheist." 
 
 Mature — Ripe. 
 
 Both these words qualify those things which are 
 arrived at the perfection of their development. 
 Between them, however, the following distinctions 
 are to be observed. Ripe is used in both a proper 
 and a secondary sense ; whereas mature is gene- 
 rally used figuratively. We may say equally, a 
 ripe fruit, and a ripe judgment ; but we cannot 
 correctly say, mature fruit. Again, ripe signifies 
 brought to perfection by growth ; mature, brought 
 to perfection by time. A project becomes ripe for 
 execution from the combination of those circum- 
 stances which tend to its development. Judgment 
 arrives at maturity by time only. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 The fruit, when , is gathered in large baskets, and 
 
 after being carefully picked from the stalk by children em* 
 ployed for the purpose, is thrown into shallow wooden tubs, in 
 which it is mashed and left to ferment. 
 
 On reflection, he perceived the danger he incurred 
 
 D D 
 
402 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 in associating with these men, and withdrew from their com- 
 pany just in time to save himself from ruin. 
 
 Though the greatest precaution was used in conducting the 
 plot, and the conspirators had the most unbounded confidence 
 that they should be able to carry out their design, scarcely 
 
 were their plans for execution, when they were all 
 
 aiTCsted, and thrown into prison. 
 
 The young, whatever natural abilities or quickness of per- 
 ception they may possess, cannot have that experience and 
 
 knov/ledge of the world which years alone can give. 
 
 " Til' Athenian sage, revolving in his mind 
 This weakness, Windness, madness of mankind, 
 
 Foretold that in er days, though late. 
 
 When time should ripen the decrees of fate, 
 Some god would light us." 
 
 Modest — Bashful, 
 
 Modest,VLS synonymous with bashful^ signifies that 
 retiring manner of behaviour which is opposed to 
 self-sufficiency and conceit. Bashful implies an 
 awkwardness of manner arising from want of self- 
 confidence. The modest have not too high an opi- 
 nion of themselves. The bashful blush, hang down 
 their heads, and stammer when spoken to. It is as 
 charming to converse with the modest, as it is pain- 
 ful to converse with the bashful. The modest are 
 confident, though not conceited ; the bashful have 
 no self-possession. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 His kindness, affability, and deportment, together 
 
 with his wellrknown courage and great talent, gained him the 
 universal love and respect of his countrymen. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 403 
 
 " He looked with an almost kind of modesty, as if 
 
 he feared the eyes of man." 
 
 authors, in their first attempts at writing, either 
 
 conceal their names, or appear before the public with an 
 assumed title. 
 
 " Antiochus wept, because of the sober and ' beha- 
 viour of him that was dead." 
 
 Conquerors should be , for in prosperous fortune, it 
 
 is difficult to refrain from pride and conceit ; indeed some good 
 and great captains have, in like cases, forgotten what best 
 became them. 
 
 His downcast look and timid air immediately betrayed 
 his — : to the whole company ; and when he was ad- 
 dressed, he was so agitated that he could not utter a word in . 
 reply. 
 
 " Our author, anxious for his fame to-night, 
 
 And in his first attempt to write, 
 
 Lies cautiously obscure." 
 
 " Your temper is too , 
 
 Too much incHned to contemplation." 
 
 Alone — Only. 
 
 These two words, when used as adverbs, are to be 
 distinguished as follows : 
 
 Onli/ excludes other things or persons from our 
 consideration. Alone signifies, of itself, of its own 
 power. Thus : ^' He only could do it," means that 
 no other but himself could do it. " He alone could 
 do it," signifies that he, without the assistance of 
 others, could do it, 
 
 D D 2 
 
404 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONYMES. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 He , of all their number, had sufficient resolution 
 
 to declare himself ready to proceed immediately upon this 
 expedition. 
 
 When we heard what was proposed by the opposite party, 
 all our friends exclaimed loudly against the proposition, and 
 
 declared that the last argument was sufficient to shew 
 
 the weakness of their cause. 
 
 one more circumstance remains to be mentioned 
 
 which will shew most clearly what were the intentions of this 
 designing man, and how much we may congratulate ourselves 
 upon having escaped from his clutches. 
 
 This circumstance is sufficient to prove the utter 
 
 worthlessness of the criticism ; and shews us how careful we 
 should be not to admit the theories of enthusiasts as sound 
 evidence. 
 
 I shall speak of facts, without making any comment 
 
 upon them ; and shall leave you to draw your own conclusions 
 on this extraordinary affair. 
 
 On mentioning the fact, and questioning them as to their 
 
 knowledge of it, they all denied it excepting one , on 
 
 whose countenance I could trace evident signs of conscious 
 guilt. 
 
 " Homely but wholesome roots 
 My daily food, and water from the nearest spring 
 
 My drink. " 
 
 " Here we stand , 
 
 As in our form distinct, preeminent." 
 
 Almost — Nearly. 
 
 That which is begun and approaches its comple- 
 tion is almost done ; that which is on the point of 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 405 
 
 being begun is nearly begun. A man is almost 
 killed who receives so severe an injury that his life 
 is despaired of; a man is nearly killed who narrowly 
 escapes an injury which is sure to cause his 
 death. It is almost twelve o'clock when the greater 
 part of the twelfth hour has elapsed ; it is nearly 
 twelve o'clock when it is just on the point of 
 striking twelve. The idea contained in almost is 
 incompleteness ; the idea contained in nearly is 
 imminent action. Nearly regards the beginning, 
 and almost, the end of an act. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 I have finished writing my letters ; as soon as I 
 
 have finished them, I shall be happy to accompany you to 
 your friend's house. 
 
 On their return from India, the vessel in which they had 
 embarked encountered several severe storms, and on one oc- 
 casion she foundered. 
 
 The night was so dark, that I could not see a yard before 
 
 me, and I had ■ driven over him before I even caught a 
 
 gUmpse of his figure. 
 
 I had reached the end of my journey, when, driving 
 
 through a* dark lane, I heard voices as of men conversing 
 together, and who seemed to be walking in a direction towards 
 me. 
 
 The two rivals had met each other ; for the one 
 
 ' had not left my lodgings five minutes before the other arrived. 
 
 He was so excited on the receipt of this news, that he was 
 « out of his wits with joy. 
 
 The sailor was so weak when taken out of the water, that 
 he fainted from exhaustion. 
 
 D D 3 
 
406 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYXONY^^IES. 
 
 Also — Likewise — Too, 
 
 Also means as-well-as ; likewise means in a 
 similar manner ; too means in addition. Likewise 
 is one of those words which are fast disappearing 
 from our language. It is seldom used in ^vritten 
 language, and still more seldom in conversation. 
 The strict distinction between also and likewise is 
 that also classes together things or qualities, whilst 
 likeivise couples actions or states of being. Thus 
 Milton — *' In Sion also not unsung," i,e. as well 
 as in other places. He did it likewise, i. e, in the 
 same manner as others. He did it too, Avould 
 mean, " he did it in addition to others ; " also is 
 now generally used for likewise, but not always 
 correctly. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 " His chamber bears evidence of his various avoca- 
 tions ; there are half-copied sheets of music, designs for 
 needle-work, sketches of landscapes indifferently executed, &c. " 
 
 " Let us only think for a little of that reproach of modern 
 times, that gulf of time and fortune, the passion for gaming 
 which is so often the refuge of the idle sons of pleasure, and 
 often the last resource of the ruined." 
 
 " All the duties of a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother 
 may be well performed, though a lady should not be the finest 
 woman at an opera. They are consistent with a mo- 
 derate share of wit, a plain dress, and a modest air." 
 
 " And Jesus answered and said unto them : I will 
 
 ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in hke wise will tell 
 you by what authority I do these things." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 407 
 
 " In these two, no doubt, are contained the causes of the 
 
 great Deluge, as according to Moses, so according to 
 
 necessity ; for our world affords no other treasures of water." 
 
 On this account his style is highly exceptionable. 
 
 " But as some hands applaud, a venal few ! 
 
 Kather than sleep, why John applauds it " 
 
 " Your brother must die ; 
 
 Consent you, Lepidus ? " 
 
 At last — at lengths 
 
 What is done at last is brought about notwith- 
 standing all the accidents or difficulties which may 
 have retarded its accomplishment ; what is done at 
 length is done after a long continuance of time. In 
 the former expression, obstacles or obstructions are 
 the causes of delay ; in the latter, the nature of the 
 thing to be done, or the quantity of labour expended 
 upon it, causes it to occupy a long space of time. 
 He who has had many difficulties to encounter 
 accomplishes his ends at last ; what takes a long 
 time to do is done at length. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 By means of working day and night for many weeks, the 
 
 task was completed, and presented in time for the 
 
 approbation of the judges. 
 
 The bridge, which had occupied many years in its con- 
 struction, was opened with the usual forms and cere- 
 monies. 
 
 D D 4 
 
408 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH STNONTMES. 
 
 after a long interval of anxious suspense, we re- 
 
 ceived news that the vessel had been seen off the coast, and 
 was expected to arrive in port in a few days. 
 
 "■ ! " exclaimed my friend, " I see you 
 
 once more, and after all your wanderings and dangers shall 
 again enjoy the pleasure of your society and conversation ! " 
 
 After many fruitless attempts, in which he experienced 
 
 much vexation and disappointment, he succeeded in 
 
 bring his invention to perfection. 
 
 , after a siege of ten years, the city of Troy was taken 
 
 and burnt to the ground, and its inhabitants carried away 
 into slavery. 
 
 " A neighboming king had made war upon this female re- 
 public several years with great success, and overthrew 
 
 them in a very great battle." 
 
 " being satisfied they had nothing to fear, they 
 
 brought out all their corn every day." 
 
 Between — Betwixt 
 
 The word betwixt has become almost obsolete in 
 colloquial language, where it has given place to 
 between. As long, however, as it is used in writing, 
 the distinction which it is undoubtedly entitled to 
 should be maintained. Betwixt connects two 
 things that are at a distance from each other ; 
 between^ joins two objects that would be contiguous 
 but for what separates them. What fills up the 
 whole intervening space, is between two objects ; 
 what is placed at an equal distance from each of 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 409 
 
 two objects, and yet does not toucli either of them, 
 is betwixt them. 
 
 " Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes, 
 From betwixt two aged oaks." 
 
 Milton, L* Allegro. 
 
 The number seven comes between six and eight ; 
 the number four is betwixt one and seven. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 "Eriendship requires that it be two at least . 
 
 and there can be no friendship where there are not two 
 friends." ^^ 
 
 " Hovering oh wing under the cope of hell, 
 
 ' upper, nether, and surrounding fires." 
 
 " Methinks, like two black storms on either hand, 
 Our Spanish army and your Indian stand, 
 
 This only place the clouds is clear." 
 
 The animosity which, had been long suppressed with diffi- 
 culty on both sides, now burst forth, and war was solemnly 
 
 declared ■ the two nations. 
 
 About this time the animosity Octavian and Antony 
 
 became violent, and each suspected the other, perhaps not 
 unjustly, of attempts at assassination. 
 
 Children quickly distinguish what is required of 
 
 them and what is not. 
 
 Further — Farther. 
 
 The positive degree of the first of these words is 
 forth, which is compared thus; — forth; further; 
 furthest. The second word is compared thus : far ; 
 farther; farthest. Further, then, means more in 
 
410 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 advance ; farther, at a greater distance. When we 
 are further on our journey, we are farther from the 
 starting place. In abstract language, the same 
 distinction should be maintained. One boy may be 
 much further (in his studies) than another. After 
 many trials, we may be farther than ever from 
 success. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 It may be remarked, , that all the knowledge we 
 
 possess on any subject is, in reality, abused, whenever we 
 employ it for any other purpose than to improve ourselves in 
 virtue, or to alleviate the distresses of others. 
 
 He had strayed many miles from home than he had 
 
 ever done before ; the night was gathering in, and looked 
 black and stormy, and he began to speculate upon the not 
 very pleasing probability of being obliged to spend the night in 
 one of the forest trees. 
 
 The advocate, after speaking with great eloquence in his 
 defence, alleged , that the extreme youth and inex- 
 perience of his client should certainly be admitted, in this 
 case, as powerfully extenuating circumstances. 
 
 " What need have we of witnesses." 
 
 I had not proceeded much , when a troop of urchins, 
 
 vociferating with all their might, burst from the door of 
 one of the village cottages, and unmediately spreading over a 
 wide green, began, with the greatest activity, to engage in a 
 variety of sports. 
 
 Nevertheless — Notwithstanding. 
 
 Nevertheless excludes subtraction ; notwithstand' 
 ing excludes opposition. " He did his duty never- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNONYMES. 411 
 
 theless," signifies that circumstances did not make 
 him do less of his duty, or did not diminish the 
 activity with which he performed it. " He did his 
 duty notwithstanding," means that opposing cir- 
 cumstances had not the eiFect of preventing him 
 from doing his duty. Nevertheless is for " not the 
 less," or nathless, as Milton uses it ; notwithstand- 
 ing signifies "nothing opposing." Notwithstanding 
 is often used as a preposition : as in the phrase 
 ^'^notwithstanding my exertions*' — nevertheless is 
 never so used. Nevertheless is more frequently 
 used with a verb ; notwithstanding, with a noun. 
 
 Exercise, 
 
 all the opposition of the nobles, Tiberius Gracchus 
 
 had sufficient influence to procure the passing of the Agrarian 
 Law. 
 
 Though opposed by the whole body of the Eoman aristo- 
 cracy, Gracchus persisted in carrying out his measures 
 
 to secure an improved condition to the poorer classes of 
 Rome. 
 
 " Many of the men were gone ashore, and our ships 
 
 ready to depart ; the admiral, with such ships only as 
 
 could be put in readiness, set forth towards them." 
 
 This sudden change of fortune had no apparent effect upon 
 his mind ; for though he was unexpectedly put in possession 
 
 of immense wealth, he was as attentive to his duties 
 
 and as industrious in his habits as before. 
 
 ■ all the losses he has sustained from unfortunate 
 
 speculations, and from over-confidence in the unworthy, 
 he is still so rich, that if he chose, he could retire from 
 business, and live in the greatest luxury on his property. 
 
412 EXERCISES ON ENGLISH SYNONYMES. 
 
 . Here — hither. Where — whither. There — thither. 
 The proper distinction between where (in what 
 place), and whither (to what place), is not always 
 maintained ; indeed, a strong tendency exists to 
 banish the latter word from our language altoge- 
 ther. These adverbs, with their cognates here — 
 hither, and there — thither, have become so con- 
 founded as to make a distinction between them 
 almost hopeless. It is very common to hear, 
 " Where are you going ? Come here^ These sen- 
 tences strictly mean, '• In what place are you going ?" 
 " Come in this place ; " which are manifest absurdities. 
 Here^ there^ and where, should be used where rest 
 is implied. Hither, thither, and whither, after verbs 
 of motion. Thus : Stay here. Come hither. Where 
 do you live ? Whither are you going ? I saw him 
 there ; he proceeded thither. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 " O stream, 
 Whose source is inaccessibly profound, 
 
 do thy mysterious waters tend ?" 
 
 " let us tend 
 
 From off the tossing of these fiery waves, 
 rest, if any rest can harbour .'* 
 
 I shall go to Brighton next week. Shall you be this 
 
 summer ? 
 
 " That lord advanced to "Winchester, Sir John Berk- 
 ley brought him two reghnents more of foot." 
 
 I visited last autumn the place I first had the plea- 
 sure of making your acquaintance. 
 
 " Who brought me 
 
 Will bring me hence ; no other guide I seek." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYN0NY:MES. 413 
 
 Pompey followed Csesar into Thessaly, the latter had 
 
 already taken his position in the neighbourhood of Pharsalus, 
 
 and the hostile armies met each other. 
 
 Cleopatra returned to Alexandria, she was accom- 
 panied by Antony, 
 
 " Nature first begins 
 
 Her farthest verge." 
 " Gigantic Pride, pale Terror, gloomy Care, 
 And mad Ambition shall attend her ." 
 
 ' Phoenix and Ulysses watch the prey. 
 
 And all the wealth of Troy convey." 
 
INDEX TO SYNONYMES. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 ' Generic — Specific, 
 
 Adjective — epithet 
 Answer — reply 
 Bravery — courage - 
 Bonds — fetters 
 Booty' — prey - 
 Conduct — behaviour 
 Custom — habit 
 Comparison — analogy 
 Duty — obligation - 
 Fear — terror - 
 Taney — imagination 
 Haste — hurry 
 List — catalogue 
 Manners — address - 
 Negligence — neglect 
 News — tidings 
 Occasion — opportunity - 
 Picture — painting - 
 Pillar — column 
 Populace — mob 
 Posture — attitude - 
 Praise — applause - 
 Robber— thief 
 Safety— security 
 Shape — form 
 Talent — genius 
 Temper — humour - 
 Temple — church - 
 Vestige — trace 
 Vice— sin 
 Way— proad - 
 Word^ — term - 
 
 
 
 To augur— to forebode 
 
 Pa^e 
 
 65 
 
 
 
 Bestow — confer - 
 
 » 
 
 > 
 
 67 
 
 
 
 Bring — fetch 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 68 
 
 -•e 
 
 31 
 
 B6ry — inter 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 69 
 
 - 
 
 32 
 
 Clothe — dress 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 70 
 
 - 
 
 33 
 
 Calculate— reckon 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 71 
 
 - 
 
 34 
 
 Do— make - 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 72 
 
 - 
 
 35 
 
 Divide — separate - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 73 
 
 - 
 
 36 
 
 Doubt — question - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 75 
 
 - 
 
 37 
 
 Expect— hope 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 76 
 
 - 
 
 38 
 
 Pinish — conclude - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 77 
 
 - 
 
 40 
 
 Give — grant 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 78 
 
 - 
 
 41 
 
 Gain — win - 
 
 , 
 
 - 
 
 79 
 
 - 
 
 42 
 
 Have— possess 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 80 
 
 - 
 
 44 
 
 Help — assist 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 81 
 
 - 
 
 45 
 
 Leave— quit 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 82 
 
 - 
 
 46 
 
 Punish — chastise - 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 84 
 
 - 
 
 47 
 
 Put — -place - 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 85 
 
 - 
 
 48 
 
 Reprove — rebuke - 
 
 . 
 
 _ 
 
 86 
 
 - 
 
 49 
 
 Ridicule— deride - 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 87 
 
 - 
 
 50 
 
 Try — attempt 
 
 . 
 
 _ 
 
 88 
 
 - 
 
 51 
 
 Worship — adore - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 89 
 
 - 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 53 
 
 Ancient— antique 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 91 
 
 - 
 
 54 
 
 Clear — distinct 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 92 
 
 - 
 
 55 
 
 Entire — complete - 
 
 -' 
 
 « 
 
 93 
 
 - 
 
 56 
 
 Ex terior — external 
 
 _ 
 
 . 
 
 94 
 
 - 
 
 57 
 
 Extravagant— profuse 
 
 - 
 
 « 
 
 95 
 
 - 
 
 58 
 
 Frail— brittle 
 
 _ 
 
 ^ 
 
 96 
 
 - 
 
 59 
 
 Great— big - 
 
 , 
 
 
 98 
 
 - 
 
 60 
 
 Heavenly — celestial 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 99 
 
 - 
 
 61 
 
 High— tall - 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 100 
 
 - 
 
 62 
 
 Laudable — praiseworthy 
 
 _ 
 
 101 
 
 - 
 
 63 
 
 Lucky — fortnn ate 
 
 - 
 
 "_ 
 
 102 
 
 - 
 
 64 
 
 Mute— dumb 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 104 
 
416 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 New— novel - Page 105 
 
 Particular — peculiar •• - 106 
 
 Prevalent— prevailing - - 107 
 
 Strong — robust - - - 108 
 
 Translucent — transparent - 110 
 
 Weak — infirm - - - 111 
 
 Weighty— heavy - - - 112 
 
 Whole — entire - - - 113 
 
 On — upon - - - - 114 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 Active — Passive. 
 
 Ability — capacity 
 Aversion — antipathy 
 Appro va.1 —approbation 
 Burden —load 
 Chief— head 
 Consent — assent - 
 Cultivation— culture - 
 Deity — divinity - 
 Example — instance 
 Facility— ease 
 Paith — ^belief 
 Falsehood— falsity 
 Force— strength - 
 Forgetfulness — oblivion 
 Grief— affliction - 
 Hatred — odium - 
 Inclination— disposition 
 Intellect— understanding 
 Pretence— pretext 
 Proposal— proposition - 
 Rashness— temerity 
 Reason — cause 
 Recovery — restoration - 
 Reformation— reform - 
 Repentance — contrition 
 Smell — odour 
 Tyranny— oppression - 
 Unity— union 
 Utility — usefulness 
 Value — worth 
 Veracity — truth - 
 
 - 117 
 
 - 118 
 
 - 119 
 
 - 121 
 
 - 122 
 
 - 123 
 
 - 124 
 
 - 125 
 
 - 126 
 
 - 128 
 
 - 129 
 
 - 130 
 
 - 131 
 
 - 132 
 
 - 133 
 
 - 135 
 
 - 136 
 
 - 137 
 
 - 138 
 
 - 139 
 
 - 140 
 
 - 141 
 
 - 142 
 
 - 144 
 
 - 145 
 
 - 146 
 
 - 147 
 
 - 148 
 
 - 149 
 
 - 150 
 
 - 151 
 
 To caution — to warn 
 Defend — protect - 
 Eat — feed - 
 Employ— use 
 Find — meet with - 
 Found — ground - 
 Furnish — supply - 
 Invent— discover - 
 Keep — retain 
 Lay — lie 
 
 Persevere — ^persist 
 Teach — learn 
 Trust — credit 
 Waver — fluctuate 
 
 Page 152 
 ' 153 
 
 - 154 
 
 - 155 
 
 - 156 
 
 - 158 
 
 - 159 
 ^ 160 
 
 - 161 
 
 - 162 
 
 - 163 
 
 - 164 
 
 - 166 
 
 - 167 
 
 Authentic —genuine 
 Actual — real 
 Awkward — clumsy 
 Apt— fit 
 
 Contented— satisfied 
 Efiicacious — efi'ectual - 
 Efficient — effective 
 Expert— experienced - 
 Fruitful — fertile - 
 Friendly— amicable 
 Healthy — wholesome - 
 Impracticable— impossible 
 Intolerable — insufferable 
 Likely — probable - 
 Lovely— amiable - 
 Malicious-^malignant - 
 Mercantile — commercial 
 Owing— due 
 Peaceable — peaceful 
 Poetic — poetical - 
 Reasonable — rational - 
 Sociable— social - 
 Salutary — salubrious - 
 Sufficient — enough 
 Sure — certain 
 Thankful— grateful 
 Vacant — empty - 
 Warlike— martial 
 Unavoidable— inevitable 
 
INDEX. 
 
 417 
 
 SECTION m. 
 
 Intensity. 
 
 Act— action - - Page 202 
 
 Anguish— agony - - 203 
 
 Artisan — artist - - - 204 
 
 Compunction — remorse - 206 
 
 Diligence — industry - - 207 
 
 Discernment — penetration - 208 
 
 Intention— purpose - - 209 
 
 Moment — instant - - 210 
 
 Need — necessity - - - 2 1 1 
 
 Obstruction — obstacle - - 213 
 
 Pertinacity — obstinacy - 214 
 
 Persuasion — conviction - 215 
 
 Pleasure— happiness - - 216 
 
 Plenty — abundance - - 217 
 
 Riot— tumult - - - 219 
 
 Servant — slave - - - 220 
 
 Slander — calumny - - 221 
 
 Temperance — abstinence - 222 
 
 Vicinity — neighbourhood - 223 
 
 Wood— forest - - 225 
 
 To alter — to change - 
 
 > 226 
 
 Be — exist - - - 
 
 - 227 
 
 Confuse— confound 
 
 - 228 
 
 Deprive — bereave - 
 
 - 229 
 
 Disperse— dispel 
 Enlarge — increase 
 
 - 230 
 
 - 231 
 
 Estimate — esteem 
 
 - 232 
 
 Excite — incite - 
 
 - 234 
 
 Exert — exercise - 
 
 - 235 
 
 Eorgive— pardon 
 Grow — become - 
 
 - 236 
 
 - 237 
 
 Hate— detest 
 
 - 238 
 
 Hear — listen 
 
 - 240 
 
 Lament — deplore 
 Overcome— conquer - 
 Perceive — d iscern 
 
 - 241 
 
 - 242 
 
 - 243 
 
 Raise — lift - - - 
 
 - 245 
 
 Receive — accept - 
 Remark — observe 
 
 - 246 
 
 - 247 
 
 Remember— recollect - 
 
 - 248 
 
 Reveal — divulge - - Page 249 
 
 Satisfy— satiate - - - 250 
 
 See— look - - - - 251 
 
 Should— ought - - - 253 
 
 Slake — quench - - - 254 
 
 Surprise — astonish - - 255 
 
 Understand — comprehend - 256 
 
 Adjacent— contiguous - - 257 
 
 Contemptible — despicable - 258 
 
 Covetous— avaricious - - 259 
 
 Different— various - - 261 
 
 Evident— obvious - - 262 
 
 Forsaken— forlorn • - 263 
 
 General — universal - - 264 
 
 Idle— indolent - - - 265 
 
 Miserable— wretched - - 266 
 
 Modern — recent - - - 267 
 
 Scarce— rare - - - 269 
 
 Silent— taciturn - - - 270 
 
 Wonderful— marvellous - 271 
 
 Below — beneath - - - 272 
 
 Between — among •• - 273 
 
 By— with - - - - 274 
 
 Frequently — often - - 275 
 
 Immediately — instantly - 276 
 
 Middle— midst - - - 278 
 
 While-whilst - - - 279 
 
 SECTION lY. 
 
 Positive — Nega tive. 
 
 Bankrupt—insolvent - - 282 
 
 Boldness — fearlessness - - 283 
 
 Confusion— disorder - - 284 
 
 Despair — hopelessness- - 285 
 
 Disability — inability - - 286 
 
 Disbelief— unbelief - - 287 
 
 Dulness — insipidity - - 288 
 
 Freedom— liberty - - 289 
 
 Indifference— apathy - - 291 
 
 Injury — disadvantage - - 292 
 
 £ £ 
 
418 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Lie — untruth - Page 293 
 
 Neglect — disregard - - 294 
 
 Patient — invalid- - - 295 
 
 Profaneness — irreligion - 296 
 
 Separation — disunion - - 297 
 
 Simulation — dissimulation - 299 
 
 Strife — discord - - - 299 
 
 Suspicion — distrust - - 301 
 
 Barbarous — inhuman - - 302 
 
 Boundless — unlimited - - 303 
 
 Changeable— inconstant - 304 
 
 Confused — indistinct - - 305 
 
 Cool — dispassionate - - 306 
 
 Cruel — unfeeling - - 307 
 
 Defective — imperfect - - 309 
 
 Different— unlike - 310 
 
 Disaffected — unfavourable - 311 
 
 Disrespectful — uadutifiil - 312 
 
 Distracted — unsettled - - 313 
 
 Doubtful — uncertain - - 314 
 
 Excessive— immoderate - 315 
 
 Paulty — defective - - 316 
 
 Guiltless — innocent - - 318 
 
 Hard— difficult - - - 319 
 
 111— indisposed - - - 320 
 
 Lifeless — inanimate - - ,321 
 
 Obstinate — stubborn - - 322 
 
 Perpetual — incessant - - 323 
 
 Promiscuous — indiscriminate 324 
 
 Refractory — unruly - - 325 
 
 Rude — unpolished - - 326 
 
 Slothful — inactive - - 327 
 
 Worthless — unworthy - - 329 
 
 To annoy — to inconvenience 330 
 
 Assuage — mitigate - - 331 
 
 Censure — disapprove - - 332 
 
 Permit— allow - - - 333 
 
 Prevent — hinder - - 334 
 
 Shun — avoid - * - 335 
 
 Weaken — invalidate - - 336 
 
 SECTION V. 
 Miscellaneous. 
 
 Accent — emphasis - Page { 
 Address — direction 
 Arms — weapons - 
 Beast — brute _ . - 
 Consequence — result - 
 Contest —conflict 
 Discretion — prudence - 
 Endurance — duration - 
 Era — epoch - - - 
 Fault— mistake - - - 
 Idea — notion - - - 
 Method — mode - 
 Observance — observation 
 Pride — vanity - - - 
 Subsidy— tribute 
 
 To abbreviate — to abridge - 
 Advance —proceed 
 Appear — seem - 
 Articulate — pronounce 
 Attribute — impute 
 Avenge — revenge 
 Compare to — compare with - 
 Compare — contrast 
 Conciliate — ^reconcile - 
 Confess — acknowledge- 
 Confute — refute - - - 
 Conjecture - guess 
 Contemplate — ^meditate 
 Copy — imitate - 
 Decrease — diminish 
 Dissert — discuss - - - 
 Equivocate — prevaricate 
 Eoretel — predict - - - 
 Go back — return 
 Prevail with— prevail upon - 
 Repeal — revoke - - - 
 ShaU— will- 
 Wake— Waken - 
 
INDEX. 
 
 419 
 
 All — every — each - Page 385 
 
 Any-— some - - - 386 
 
 Common — ordinary - - 387 
 
 Enormous — immense - - 389 
 
 ^Ferocious — savage - - 390 
 
 Grecian — Greek- - - 391 
 
 Handsome — pretty - - 392 
 
 Impertinent— insolent - - 393 
 
 Ingenious — ingenuous- - 395 
 
 Irksome— tedious - - 396 
 
 Liable — subject - - - 397 
 
 Little— small - - 398 
 
 Ludicrous— ridiculous - - 400 
 
 Mature — ripe 
 Modest — bashful - 
 
 Alone — only 
 Almost — nearly - 
 Also— likewise — too 
 At last— at length 
 Between — ^betwixt 
 Further — farther 
 
 Page 401 
 
 - 402 
 
 - 403 
 
 - 404 
 
 - 406 
 
 - 407 
 
 - 408 
 
 - 409 
 
 Nevertheless — notwithstand- 
 ing - - - - 410 
 
 Here — hither. Where — whi- 
 ther. There— thither - 412 
 
 THE END. 
 
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