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                               ELEMENTS

                                  OF

                              CRITICISM.


                              VOLUME III.


                              EDINBURGH:

                    Printed for A. MILLAR, London;
                                  AND
                   A. KINCAID & J. BELL, Edinburgh.
                               MDCCLXII.




                               ELEMENTS

                                  OF

                              CRITICISM.




CHAP. XIX.

COMPARISONS.


Comparisons, as observed above[1]; serve two different purposes: When
addressed to the understanding, their purpose is to instruct; when to
the heart, their purpose is to give pleasure. With respect to the
latter, a comparison may be employ’d to produce various pleasures by
different means. First, by suggesting some unusual resemblance or
contrast: second, by setting an object in the strongest light: third, by
associating an object with others that are agreeable: fourth, by
elevating an object: and, fifth, by depressing it. And that comparisons
may produce various pleasures by these different means, appears from
what is said in the chapter above cited; and will be made still more
evident by examples, which shall be given after premising some general
observations.

An object of one sense cannot be compared to an object of another; for
such objects are totally separated from each other, and have no
circumstance in common to admit either resemblance or contrast. Objects
of hearing may be compared, as also of taste, and of touch. But the
chief fund of comparison are objects of sight; because, in writing or
speaking, things can only be compared in idea, and the ideas of visible
objects are by far more lively than those of any other sense.

It has no good effect to compare things by way of simile that are of the
same kind, nor to contrast