mirthful action; DIVERSION, Sportive vicissitude of action; AMUSEMENT, entertaining action; PASTIME, festive action.

EXERCISE.—(4.) Discrimination of Synonyms.

Explanatory Observations. The practice of the foregoing exercise, is designed to facilitate the ready recognition of the relationship, or unity of signification, existing among words that are properly synonymous, so far as that designation can, with propriety, be applied. The exercises which follow, are intended for the opposite effect of rendering the mind critically acute in discriminating the specific and individual differences of meaning, discernible among the groups and pairs of synonyms which may be comprehended and defined under one and the same general term. The former exercise led us to consider the abstract idea which, as a primary basis, is common to all the members of a family of synonyms, and proves the justice of their claim to a place in the household: the present leads us to dwell on their particular characteristics, and traits of difference, in groups, and individually, that we may not confound them by too hasty or careless observation, but recognise distinctly the place and the claims of each. We formerly wished to bring them, as nearly as practicable to agreement and to unity: we now wish, by narrow inspection, to detect those peculiarties which may make them differ as widely as possible. Our course is analogous to that of the naturalist who wishes to draw a sharply defined line of distinction, between the species of a given genus and the varieties of a given species. He dwells on the minutest points of difference, and, when neces

sary, calls in the aid of the microscope itself, to enable him to determine, with perfect precision, the exact form of every distinctive feature.

A similar process of nice discrimination, is requisite, in order to discern the difference in the meaning of words so nearly similar in signification as to render it difficult, at first sight, to recognise the proper distinction to be made in interpreting or applying them. To miss, in such cases, even the most delicate shading or gradation of meaning, is to lose,' perhaps, the significance or the beauty of expression, or a vital distinction in thought. An exact discrimination of synonyms, is the true test of scholarship and skill in our own language, and requires the same assiduous application and thorough training by which critical acumen is attained in the study of the ancient classics.

In attempting to discriminate synonyms, two preliminary processes are of great moment, derivation and definition. By tracing the derivation of both words, in cases of near approximation to identity of signification in any two, we take one step, and, perhaps, a successful one, towards the detection of an original difference in their signification, arising from diversity in the objects or ideas to which they were first applied. Following this suggestive hint, the mind seizes a distinction in thought, and recognises the corresponding discrimination in language, whether in tracing the sense of a word employed by another, or in choosing expression for its own conceptions. We may select the synonyms diversion and recreation, as an illustration of the use of etymological analysis, in aiding us to determine the precise signification of words liable to be used as synonymous. By tracing the derivation of the former, we find the primitive signification to be turning aside. The term diversion, therefore, suggests merely the idea of turning aside, for relief from applica

tion. The form of action which we substitute as a relief from wearisome or fatiguing exertion, is not specified by the word diversion: it may be a salutary, or it may be an injurious change of action: its effects are not intimated. The term recreation, on the other hand, not only suggests the idea of a change of action, but a salutary, a re-creating, or renovating change.

The proper discrimination, then, in the interpretation or the use of these two terms, implies the recognition of a distinction founded on the difference of degree, that of less and greater,—in their signification; the latter term transcending the former in the extent of meaning suggested.

Another aid to discrimination in the use of synonyms, consists in tracing the effect of definition on terms closely allied in signification. Defining, when correctly performed, as a process of thought logically embodied in language, necessarily gives, along with the generic term, in any case, the specific or the individual difference of character in its theme or subject. It involves, therefore, the mental distinction which that difference implies, and thus furnishes the means of making the proper discrimination in the expression of that distinction.

The definition of synonyms, as such, therefore, consists in nothing more than presenting words of similar signification, defined in pairs, for the purpose of being discriminated, by their specific or individual differences of meaning, in the manner exemplified in the following formula.

FORM OF EXERCISE. From the whole number of words collected as synonyms to a given word, select the two which come nearest to identity of signification.- (1.) Define each by whatever word in the group has the most general and comprehensive meaning. (2.) Compare the two

terms which express the specific difference, as given in the words of the definition; and state the distinction in thought, founded on the difference of things, by which the sense of each synonym is to be discriminated.-(3.) Exemplify the discrimination, in one or more sentences, as may be best adapted to a clear exposition of its accuracy, in consequence of the justness of the distinction on which it rests, and the actual difference of things which calls for the distinction.*

EXAMPLES.

.Act, Deed.

DEFINITION: Act, a single action; Deed, a voluntary action. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference of general and particular. DISCRIMINATION: "The action which was extolled as a good deed, was but an act of necessity."

Force, Energy.

DEFINITION: Force, active power; † Energy, inherent power. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference between external and internal. DISCRIMINATION: "The power of the monarch was felt in the

*The above prescribed form of exercise, combining rhetorical and logical with grammatical discipline, is designed, as has been mentioned, for advanced students, and is presented here with a view to complete the plan of a series of exercises on words. It may be omitted, at the discretion of the teacher, in the instruction of particular classes.

† The distinction will sometimes be rendered more precise by selecting, for the moment, as a generic term, the leading word in a group of synonyms, though it may not be so generally comprehensive as the primary word of the whole theme. In the descending scale of distinctions, a word of more comprehensive signification than another, becomes virtually, to it, a generic term, in definition.

energy of his character, rather than in the force of his will."

Exertion, Effort.

DEFINITION: Exertion, exercise of energy; Effort, exercise of force. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference between internal and external activity. DisCRIMINATION: The laborer was successful in his exertions to support his family. The fireman succeeded, by an almost superhuman effort, in saving the life of one of the children."

Feat, Exploit.

DEFINITION: Feat, arduous action; Exploit, illustrious action. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference between personal and social relations. DISCRIMINATION: "He was a youth who delighted not less in feats of personal strength, than in daring exploits on the battle-field."

Incitement, Incentive.

DEFINITION: Incitement, normal moral motive; Incentive, abnormal moral motive. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference between regular and irregular action. DISCRIMINATION: "Eloquence sometimes proves an incentive to passion, rather than incitement to duty."

Incitation, Instigation.

DEFINITION: Incitation, impelling motive; Instigation, violently impelling motive. DISTINCTION, founded on the difference of degree as less or more.

CRIMINATION:

DIS

"Ambition proves, in some men, a' healthful incitation of the noblest energies of the soul; in others, a maddening instigation of its worst passions."

Agitation, Commotion.

DEFINITION: AGITATION, extremely excited action;