unpleasant to those godheads. In our times, the resort to such agencies would be utterly absurd and ridiculous. In cases, therefore, of a very difficult solution, the writer of a fictitious narrative must be content with using extraordinary means, yet not fabulous; such may be the appearance of ghosts, as illustrated by Shakspeare, in his beautiful play of "Hamlet.”

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6. FIFTH Characters. This quality means, "the exact imitation of the different characters of persons, according to their nature, age, habits, condition, and other qualities of body and mind.” Nothing makes a story or play more pleasant, and beautiful, than a faithful delineation of the different characters of the persons introduced therein. A perfect description, or representation, of the character of a person, it must be confessed, is as difficult to an epic poet, novelist, or dramatist, as it is to a painter to draw a perfect portrait of a person, on canvas. Yet, this quality must be well studied; since it is indispensable in this kind of composition. In the delineation of characters, the writer of an epic

(6.) Explain the fifth ornament, Characters.

How do characters contribute to the beauty and pleasure of a story, or play?

Is the perfect representation of the character of a person, an easy quality?

poem, novel, romance, and drama, must have in view the object of the composition, which is principally to instruct, and move the hearer, or reader, to follow virtue, and avoid vice. Hence, he must illustrate, in a striking manner, by their results, the good and evil habits of the persons who figure in the narrative. In the drama, where the characters of persons are represented by living actors, the effect of such a representation is more powerful and decisive, than in other narrations; provided the mimical action be natural and accurate.

7. SIXTH: Epiphonema, signifies the use of sententious and dignified language, especially in grave matters, by revered and authoritative persons, to inferior subjects, for the purpose of remark, advice, or censure.

8. SEVENTH: Fine Diction; which implies the use of terse and clear style; either simple, middle, or sublime, according to the subject. Also, the frequent use of rhetorical figures; particularly those calculated to move the affections of

What must a writer have in view, and how must he describe characters ?

What will make the representation of characters more effective in the drama?

(7.) Define the sixth ornament, Epiphonema.

(8.) Expound the seventh ornament, fine diction.

the mind, either to love virtue, or to abhor vice. When the narrative is written in verse, beside the general qualities of elegant diction, the harmony of the metre used must be well attended to.

ARTICLE II.

OF THE PARTICULAR QUALITIES OF THE EPIC POEM; AND OF SOME OTHER INFERIOR SPECIES, CALLED, ALSO, POEMS, VIZ: ELEGY, EPIGRAM, SATIRE, ODE, HYMN, ECLOGUE, SONNET.

1. The words, epic poem, from the Greek epos, word, and poiein, to make, according to etymology, signify, "a fiction of words;" but, by usage, they mean a fiction of both words and actions; and properly, designate "the nar-. ration of real or fictitious events of some distinguished hero;" whereby the narration is called, also, a heroic poem, and is written in hexameter; which is termed, for the same reason, the heroic

verse.

2. The parts commonly assigned by ancient preceptors, to the epic poem, are four, viz: first,

(1.) Whence are the words epic poem derived? Give the exact definition.

What is a heroic poem, and heroic verse?

(2.) What are the parts commonly assigned to the Epic Poem? Are they all strictly necessary?

the poetical exordium, or proposition, consisting in a clear statement of the subject of the poetical narration; second, the invocation of a superior assistance, for the successful completion of the undertaking; also, the dedication of the work to the writer's patron; third, the narration of the primary deeds of the hero, and of the secondary facts connected with them; all which are partly related by the poet, and partly by the persons introduced by him in the narrative; fourth, the recapitulation and conclusion of the whole narrative. The invocation and recapitulation, are not altogether necessary parts, and may be omitted without impropriety.

3. The Iliad and Odyssey, of Homer; the Æneid, of Virgil; the Jerusalem Delivered, of Tasso; and the Paradise Lost, of Milton, are the great models, which the student must endeavor to imitate, in this kind of composition.

4. Elegy was originally a pathetic poem, used only for plaintive and mournful subjects; but, subsequently, it was extended to all subjects, indiscriminately; even private festivities, public celebrations, and rejoicings. The elegiac

(3.) Who are the standard authors in epic poetry? (4.) What is an Elegy?

What are its requisites?

Name some classic writers?

verse, by its nature, seems to require a special softness of language, and tenderness of expression, especially on subjects that regard friends or relations, either living or dead. Ovid, Tibullus, and Propertius in the Latin, and Goldsmith in the English language, offer beautiful examples of the poetical style, which elegy may admit.

5. Epigram, from the Greek word epigramma, which means inscription, is a short poem, which treats only of one thing, person, or fact; and ends by some fine sentiment, or nice witticism. The special qualities of the epigram are, therefore, brevity, perspicuity, and acuteness.

6. Satire is "a censuring poem; whereby the reprehensible actions and customs of men are exposed, and rebuked, as they deserve, with a design of inciting them to follow virtue, and avoid vice." Its appellation seems to have been derived from Satyr, a Sylvan Deity, employed by the pagans, in their theatrical representations, for the purpose of exposing and rebuking corrupt morals. Hence, the peculiar qualities of this kind of poem are,

(5.) What is an Epigram?

What are its special qualities?

(6.) What is a Satire?

Whence is the word satire derived?

What are the peculiar qualities of the satire?