Languages & literature > Abridgement of lectures on rhetoric

SUBLIMITY IN OBJECTS. II
V Sublimity. Space however, extended in length, makes
not fo ftron'g an imprelGon, as height or depth. Though
a boundlefs plain is a grand object ; yet a lofty moun-
.tain, to which we look up, or an awful precipice or
tower, whence we look down on objedfs below, is
ft ill more fo. The exceffive grandeur of the firma¬
ment arifes from its height, added to its boundlefs ex¬
tent ; and that of the ocean, not from its extent alone,
but from the continual motion and irrefiftible force of
that mafs of waters. Wherever fpace is concerned, it
is evident, that amplitude or greatnefs of extent in one
dimenfion or other is neceffary to grandeur. Remove
all bounds from any objedt, and you immediately ren-
,der it fublime. Hence infinite fpace, cndlefs numbers,
and eternal duration fill the mind with great ideas.
The moft copious fource of fablime ideas feems to be
derived from the exertion of great power and force.
Hence the grandeur of earthquakes and burning moun¬
tains ; of great conflagrations ; of the boifterous ocean ;
of the tempeftuous ftorm ; of thunder and lightning ;
and of all the unufual violence of the eleipents. , A.
ft ream, which glides along gently within its banks, is a
beautiful obiedf ; but,-when it nifties down witli the im-
petuofity and rioife of a torrent, it immediately becomes
a fublime one. A race hoi fe is viewed with pleafure ;
but it is the war horfe, “ whole neck is clothed with
“ thunder,” that conveys grandeur in its idea. The
engagement of two powerful armies, as it is die higheft.
exertion of human ftrength, combines various fources of.