For it is confidently reported, that two young gentlemen of real hopes, bright wit, and profound judgment, who upon a thorough examination of causes and effects, and by the mere force of natural abilities, without the least tincture of learning, have made a discovery that there was no God, and _generously communicating_ their thoughts for the good of the public, were some time ago, by an unparallelled severity, and upon I know not what obsolete law, broke for blasphemy[85]. [Better thus]: Having made a discovery that there was no God, and having generously communicated their thoughts for the good of the public, were some time ago, _&c._
He had been guilty of a fault, for which his master would have put him to death, had he not found an opportunity to escape out of his hands, and _fled_ into the deserts of Numidia.
If all the ends of the revolution are already obtained, it is not only impertinent to argue for obtaining any of them, but _factious designs might be imputed_, and the name of incendiary be applied with some colour, perhaps, to any one who should persist in pressing this point.
It is even unpleasant to find a negative and affirmative proposition connected by a copulative.
Nec excitatur classico miles truci, Nec horret iratum mare; Forumque vitat, et superba civium Potentiorum limina. _Horace, Epod. 2. l. 5._
If it appear not plain, and prove untrue, Deadly divorce step between me and you. _Shakespear._
An artificial connection among the words, is undoubtedly a beauty when it represents any peculiar connection among the constituent parts of the thought; but where there is no such connection, it is a positive deformity, because it makes a discordance betwixt the thought and expression. For the same reason, we ought also to avoid every artificial opposition of words where there is none in the thought. This last, termed _verbal antithesis_, is studied by writers of no taste; and is relished by readers of the same stamp, because of a certain degree of liveliness in it. They do not consider how incongruous it is, in a grave composition, to cheat the reader, and to make him expect a contrast in the thought, which upon examination is not found there.
A light wife doth make a heavy husband. _Merchant of Venice._