Campbell, George (1719-1796)

The Philosophy of Rhetoric

London

Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell

1776

"'This temper of soul,' says the Guardian, speaking of meekness and humility,'keeps our understanding tight about us.' Whether the author had any meaning in this expression, or what it was, I shall not take upon me to determine; but hardly could any thing more incongruous in the way of metaphor, have been imagined. The understanding is made a girdle to our other mental faculties, for the fastening of which girdle, meekness and humility serve for a buckle."

In this there is always something figurative; but the figures are remote, and things heterogeneous are combined. I shall exemplify this sort also, first in a few more simple sentences, and then in such as are more complex. Of the former, take the following instances: "This temper of soul," says the Guardian, speaking of meekness and humility,"keeps our understanding tight about us." Whether the author had any meaning in this expression, or what it was, I shall not take upon me to determine; but hardly could any thing more incongruous in the way of metaphor, have been imagined. The understanding is made a girdle to our other mental faculties, for the fastening of which girdle, meekness and humility serve for a buckle."A man is not qualified for a bust, who has not a good deal of wit and vivacity, even in the ridiculous side of his character." It is only the additional clause in the end that is here exceptionable, What a strange jumble! A man's wit and vivacity placed in the side of his character. Sometimes in a sentence sufficiently perspicuous, we shall find an unintelligible clause inserted, which, as it adds not to the sense, serves only to interrupt the reader, and darken the sentiment. [...]
(II, pp. 70-1)

Dress::Girdle Dress::Buckle

C-H Lion

Only 1 entry in ESTC (1776).

The Philosophy of Rhetoric. By George Campbell, 2 vols. (London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1776). <Link to ESTC>

07/02/2013