PREFACE. DR. BLAIR, in his "Lectures upon the English 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 convinced 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. 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 Elementary Education; and though he is far from intending it should be regarded as complete, 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. CONTENTS. SECTION I. (Generic and Specific Synonymes) SECTION II. (Active and Passive Synonymes) SECTION III. (Synonymes of Intensity) .... PRACTICAL EXERCISES ON 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 qualities, 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 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 utmost 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 variety, either in shape, or form, or color, or weight, will be discovered, sufficient to distinguish the copy from the original. It may, indeed, be more difficult to distinguish be tween 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 indifference 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 education, and the extraordinary influence it has 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 exercises a most pernicious influence upon the intellectual character of the man. If an infinite variety in the appearance of external things be an admitted fact, 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 things, actions, or qualities, are found to approximate 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 necessity 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 synonomy. Some are naturally endowed with a more delicate faculty of distinction than others; and such persons, from an almost intuitive 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 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 his dependence on appearances, and never appeals to his own powers of reasoning or investigation, is sure to be constantly involved |