with respect to the present subject, means "a sudden turn of events, from happy into unhappy, or vice versa.” Such is the sudden change related in the Bible of the condition of Joseph's brothers, caused by Joseph's revelation of himself to them; whereby, from extreme calamity and sorrow, they passed to extreme fortune and joy.

2. It is evident, that in order that this ornament may prove effective, the turn, or change of affairs, must be great, unexpected, and very proba

ble.

3.

SECOND: Recognition; whereby either one, or both persons recognize each other. In the first case, is called simple; in the latter, is called double recognition. The recognition of Joseph by his brothers is an example of the simple recognition. The double, however, is preferable, in a drama especially.

4. THIRD: Episode; from the Greek episodos, equivalent to inway, or inlet, is "a secondary action or narrative, naturally connected

What is the first ornament, Peripetia? Give an example. (2.) What is required to make this ornament effective? (3) What is the second ornament, Recognition?

How many-fold is recognition? Which is preferable, the simple or double recognition?

(4.) Define the ornament, Episode.

with the primary one; and which is introduced for the sake of variety and additional interest, by a short suspension of the main narrative.” Hence, it appears, that the episode is a digression from the principal narration; which, therefore, beside all the other qualities belonging to poetical narrations, must be short and well connected with the principal one; it must be like a secondary road, which has its termini on the main one; that, though, it leads the traveler out of his direct way for a while; yet the diversion is only short, and well worth the pleasure of the excursion.

5. FOURTH: Machine. This word, applied to semi-fictitious narrations, signifies, "the use and application of extraordinary means, or agencies, for the accomplishment of a thing above the human power." Heathen poets were wont to employ, frequently, the agency of their gods, in human affairs, and made them, often unnecessarily, come down from Mount Olympus; which, we should think, must have been rather

What are the requisites of the episode? Give an illustration by a similitude.

(5.) Describe the fourth ornament, Machine.

What agencies did heathen poets frequently employ in human affairs?

Might the same be used in our times? What may be employed instead?

unpleasant to those godheads. In our times, the resort to such agencies would be utterly absurd and ridiculous. In cases, therefore, of a very difficult solution, the writer of a fictitious narrative must be content with using extraordinary means, yet not fabulous; such may be the appearance of ghosts, as illustrated by Shakspeare, in his beautiful play of "Hamlet.”

6. FIFTH: Characters. This quality means, "the exact imitation of the different characters of persons, according to their nature, age, habits, condition, and other qualities of body and mind.” Nothing makes a story or play more pleasant, and beautiful, than a faithful delineation of the different characters of the persons introduced therein. A perfect description, or representation, of the character of a person, it must be confessed, is as difficult to an epic poet, novelist, or dramatist, as it is to a painter to draw a perfect portrait of a person, on canvas. Yet, this quality must be well studied; since it is indispensable in this kind of composition. In the delineation of characters, the writer of an epic

(6.) Explain the fifth ornament, Characters.

How do characters contribute to the beauty and pleasure of a story, or play?

Is the perfect representation of the character of a person, an easy quality?

poem, novel, romance, and drama, must have in view the object of the composition, which is principally to instruct, and move the hearer, or reader, to follow virtue, and avoid vice. Hence, he must illustrate, in a striking manner, by their results, the good and evil habits of the persons who figure in the narrative. In the drama, where the characters of persons are represented by living actors, the effect of such a representation is more powerful and decisive, than in other narrations; provided the mimical action be natural and accurate.

7. SIXTH: Epiphonema, signifies the use of sententious and dignified language, especially in grave matters, by revered and authoritative persons, to inferior subjects, for the purpose of remark, advice, or censure.

8. SEVENTH: Fine Diction; which implies the use of terse and clear style; either simple, middle, or sublime, according to the subject. Also, the frequent use of rhetorical figures; particularly those calculated to move the affections of

What must a writer have in view, and how must he describe characters ?

What will make the representation of characters more effective in the drama?

(7.) Define the sixth ornament, Epiphonema.

(8.) Expound the seventh ornament, fine diction.

the mind, either to love virtue, or to abhor vice. When the narrative is written in verse, beside the general qualities of elegant diction, the harmony of the metre used must be well attended to.

ARTICLE II.

OF THE PARTICULAR QUALITIES OF THE EPIC POEM; AND OF SOME OTHER INFERIOR SPECIES, CALLED, ALSO, POEMS, VIZ: ELEGY, EPIGRAM, SATIRE, ODE, HYMN, ECLOGUE, SONNET.

1. The words, epic poem, from the Greek epos, word, and poiein, to make, according to etymology, signify, "a fiction of words;" but, by usage, they mean a fiction of both words and actions; and properly, designate "the narration of real or fictitious events of some distinguished hero;" whereby the narration is called, also, a heroic poem, and is written in hexameter; which is termed, for the same reason, the heroic

verse.

2. The parts commonly assigned by ancient preceptors, to the epic poem, are four, viz: first,

(1.) Whence are the words epic poem derived? Give the exact definition.

What is a heroic poem, and heroic verse?

(2.) What are the parts commonly assigned to the Epic Poem? Are they all strictly necessary?