Part 6 (1/2)
Mr. Jefferson says of his style: ”No writer has exceeded Paine in familiarity of style, in perspicuity of expression, happiness of elucidation, and in simple and una.s.suming language.”
Style presents the _law_, as well as the image, of the writers' mind; in other words, style gives us the true portrait and habits of the mind, for the mind can by no means counterfeit itself. I will therefore proceed to an a.n.a.lysis and comparison of Mr. Paine's style with that of Junius; and, first, of the sentence, or period. The different members are of the same length, hence the rythm or harmony. Take the following examples, and I will place bars between the different members to aid the eye:
”The style and language you have adopted are, I confess,
not ill suited to the elegance of your own manners,
or to the dignity of the cause you have undertaken.
Every common dauber writes rascal and villain under his pictures,
because the pictures themselves have neither character nor resemblance.
But the works of a master require no index;
his features and coloring are taken from nature;
the impression is immediate and uniform;
nor is it possible to mistake the characters,
whether they represent the treachery of a minister,
or the abused simplicity of a king.”
”Were I disposed to paint a contrast,
I could easily set off what you have done in the present case
against what you would have done in _that_ case,
and by justly opposing them,
conclude a picture that would make you blush.
But as, when any of the prouder pa.s.sions are hurt,
it is much better philosophy
to let a man slip into a good temper
than to attack him in a bad one--
for that reason, therefore, I only state the case,
and leave you to reflect upon it.”
”Ye that tell us of harmony and reconciliation,
can ye restore to us the time that is past?
Can ye give to prost.i.tution its former innocence?
Neither can ye reconcile Britain and America.
The last cord now is broken--
the people of England are presenting addresses against us.
There are injuries which nature can not forgive--
she would cease to be nature if she did.
As well can the lover forgive the ravisher of his mistress,
as the continent forgive the murders of Britain.”
”The question is not of what metal your instruments are made,
but whether they are adapted to the work you have in hand.
Will they grant you common halls when it shall be necessary?
Will they go up with remonstrances to the king?
Have they firmness enough to meet the fury of a venal House of Commons?
Have they fort.i.tude enough not to shrink at imprisonment?
Have they spirit enough to hazard their lives and fortunes in a contest,
if it should be necessary, with a prost.i.tuted legislature?
If these questions can fairly be answered in the affirmative, your choice is made.
Forgive this pa.s.sionate language.
I am unable to correct it.
The subject comes home to us all.
It is the language of my heart.”