The Philosophy of Style | Page 5

by presenting its elements in the order in which they are wanted; even though the mind should do nothing until it has received them all.
�� 14. What is here said respecting the succession of the adjective and substantive is obviously applicable, by change of terms, to the adverb and verb. And without further explanation, it will be manifest, that in the use of prepositions and other particles, most languages spontaneously conform with more or less completeness to this law.
�� 15. On applying a like analysis to the larger divisions of a sentence, we find not only that the same principle holds good, but that the advantage of respecting it becomes marked. In the arrangement of predicate and subject, for example, we are at once shown that as the predicate determines the aspect under which the subject is to be conceived, it should be placed first; and the striking effect produced by so placing it becomes comprehensible. Take the often-quoted contrast between "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," and "Diana of the Ephesians is great." When the first arrangement is used, the utterance of the word "great" arouses those vague associations of an impressive nature with which it has been habitually connected; the imagination is prepared to clothe with high attributes whatever follows; and when the words, "Diana of the Ephesians," are heard, all the appropriate imagery which can, on the instant, be summoned, is used in the formation of the picture: the mind being thus led directly, and without error, to the intended impression. When, on the contrary, the reverse order is followed, the idea, "Diana of the Ephesians" is conceived with no special reference to greatness; and when the words "is great" are added, the conception has to be remodeled: whence arises a loss of mental energy and a corresponding diminution of effect. The following verse from Coleridge��s ��Ancient Mariner,�� though somewhat irregular in structure, well illustrates the same truth:
"Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide, wide sea And never a saint took pity on My soul in agony."
�� 16. Of course the principle equally applies when the predicate is a verb or a participle. And as effect is gained by placing first all words indicating the quality, conduct or condition of the subject, it follows that the copula also should have precedence. It is true that the general habit of our language resists this arrangement of predicate, copula and subject; but we may readily find instances of the additional force gained by conforming to it. Thus, in the line from ��Julius Caesar��
"Then burst his mighty heart,"
priority is given to a word embodying both predicate and copula. In a passage contained in ��The Battle of Flodden Field,�� the like order is systematically employed with great effect:
"The Border slogan rent the sky! _A Home! a Gordon!_ was the cry; _Loud were _the clanging blows: _Advanced--forced back---now low, now high, _The pennon sunk and rose; As bends the bark��s mast in the gale When rent are rigging, shrouds and sail, It wavered ��mid the foes."
�� 17. Pursuing the principle yet further, it is obvious that for producing the greatest effect, not only should the main divisions of a sentence observe this sequence, but the subdivisions of these should be similarly arranged. In nearly all cases, the predicate is accompanied by some limit or qualification, called its complement. Commonly, also, the circumstances of the subject, which form its complement, have to be specified. And as these qualifications and circumstances must determine the mode in which the acts and things they belong to are conceived, precedence should be given to them. Lord Kaimes notices the fact that this order is preferable; though without giving the reason. He says:--"When a circumstance is placed at the beginning of the period, or near the beginning, the transition from it to the principal subject is agreeable: it is like ascending or going upward." A sentence arranged in illustration of this will be desirable. Here is one:--"Whatever it may be in theory, it is clear that in practice the French idea of liberty is--the right of every man to be master of the rest."
�� 18. In this case, were the first two clauses, up to the word "I practice "inclusive, which qualify the subject, to be placed at the end instead of the beginning, much of the force would be lost; as thus:--"The French idea of liberty is--the right of every man to be master of the rest; in practice at least, if not in theory."
�� 19. Similarly with respect to the conditions under which any fact is predicated. Observe in the following example the effect of putting them last:--"How immense would be the stimulus to progress, were the honour now given to wealth and title given exclusively to high achievements and intrinsic worth!"
�� 20. And