The Philosophy of Style | Page 5

to leave a hearer entirely
behind. But whether the force of these replies be or be not admitted, it
will scarcely be denied that the right formation of a picture will be
facilitated 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