Page:Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (1894).djvu/25

Rh essential to the knowledge of our native tongue, and so profusely abounding in its daily use, are to be met with in ordinary diction- aries. These phrases and forms of expression I have endeavoured diligently to collect and to insert in their proper places, nnder the general ideas that they are designed to convey. Some of these conventional forms, indeed, partake of the nature of proverbial expressions; but actual proverbs, as sach, being wholly of a didactic character, do not come within the scope of the present Work; and the reader must therefore not expect to find them here inserted.

For the purpose of exhibiting with greater distinctness the relations between words expressing opposite and correlative ideas, I have, whenever the subject admitted of such an arrangement, placed them in two parallel columns in the same page, so that each group of expressions may be readily contrasted with those which occupy the adjacent column, and constitute .their antithesis. By carrying the eye from the one to the other, the inquirer may often discover forms of expression, of which he may avail himself ad- vantageously, to diversify and infuse vigour into his phraseology. Rhetoricians, indeed, are well aware of the power derived from the skilful introduction of antitheses in giving point to an argument, and imparting force and brilliancy to the diction. A too frequent and indiscreet employment of this figure of rhetoric may, it is true, give rise to a vicious and affected style ; but it is unreasonable to condemn indiscriminately the occasional and moderate use of a practice on account of its possible abuse. The study of correlative terms existing in a particular language, may often throw valuable light on the manners and customs of the nation, using it. Thus, Hume has drawn important inferences with regard to the state of society among the ancient Romans, from certain deficiencies which he remarked in the Latin language.