surprise created by the discovery of likenesses which were at first glance not apparent. Where the likeness is so close as to create no surprise, no pleasurable feeling is aroused, and the simile is of little value. The comparison of a beautiful woman to a queen violates this requirement in the formation of similes, because of the fact that the resemblance is so apparent as to cause no surprise in drawing the figure.

2. Similes should not be drawn on slight resemblance.

Similes drawn on too slight a resemblance serve neither to enrich the language nor to make it clearer and more forcible. The mind instead of being pleased is distracted and perplexed in the attempt to discover the supposed resemblance in a far-fetched simile.

The following are examples of ill-drawn similes in this respect:

"The day is done, and the darkness

Falls from the wing of night,
As a feather is wafted downward

From an eagle in his flight."-Longfellow.

"Give me the crown.-Here, cousin, seize the crown:
Here on this side, my hand: on that side, thine;

Now is this crown like a deep well,

That owes two buckets, filling one another;

The empty one ever dancing in the air,

The other down, unseen, and full of water.
That bucket down, and full of tears, am I,

Drinking my griefs, whilst you mount on high.”—Shakespeare.

3. Trite similes should be avoided.

Trite similes are those which have been in use so long as to have lost their novelty. Many of what are now known as trite similes were beautiful and appropriate when first constructed, but, having lost their charm of novelty, they should be abandoned. Among this class

brow to alabaster, a ruddy cheek to a rose, and so on. The use of trite similes is a sure indication that the writer is not original. The original writer draws his similes from nature, whereas a writer having but a limited range of thought is usually satisfied to make use of the similes constructed by others.

4. Similes should not be drawn from resemblances to objects with which ordinary readers are not familiar.

But little pleasure can be derived from a comparison which it is difficult for a reader to understand. In accordance with this suggestion, comparisons should not be based on scientific discoveries or on objects or actions with which only the members of certain trades or professions are acquainted, So also it is best to avoid drawing comparisons with objects found only in foreign countries, and with which the ordinary reader is acquainted only by reading. To be effective the simile should be drawn from comparisons likely to be familiar to the reader.

5. In serious discourses similes should not be drawn from resemblances to low or trivial objects.

Where the object of a writer is to produce a burlesque, this suggestion does not apply, for it is the aim of the burlesque to ridicule.

The following from Pope's Homer is an example that violates Suggestion 5:

"As wasps, provoked by children in their play,
Pour from their mansions by the broad highway,
In swarms the guiltless traveler engage,

Whet all their stings, and call forth all their rage;

All rise in arms, and, with general cry,
Assert their waxen domes and buzzing progeny:
Thus from the tents the fervent legion swarms,

So loud their clamors and so keen their arms."

6. In describing what is trivial similes should not be drawn from resemblance to what is great or sublime.

This suggestion does not apply where the object is to produce the mock-heroic.

7. Similes should not be used when anger, terror, or any other strong passion is expressed.

Speakers and writers under the influence of strong emotion do not find time to search for striking comparisons.

EXERCISE.

Point out and explain the similes in the following:

1. Much forehead in a face is like much sky in a horizon. 2. It [mercy] droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven on the place beneath.

3.

At first, like thunder's distant tone,

The rattling din came rolling on.

4. With wings folded, I rest on mine airy nest, as still as a brooding dove.

5. The burning city was like an ocean of flame.

6. Youth is like the May of life; old age is like its December.

11. His chin, new reaped, showed like a stubble-land at harvest home.

12.

13.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

Straining upon the start.

The hooded clouds, like friars,

Tell their beads in drops of rain.

14. The buildings have been surrounded with gardens as rich as a piece of Teheran tapestry.

EXERCISE.

Criticise the following similes where faulty:

1.

Then the bitter sea

Inexorably pushed between us both;

And, sweeping up the ship with my despair,
Threw us out as a pasture to the stars.

2. The diamond on his bosom was only paste, but it shone like the evening star.

3. With brow of alabaster and cheeks like the rose, how could she help attracting attention?

4. Her tresses were as glossy and as black as the raven's wing.

5.

The sun in figures such as these

Joys with the moon to play;

To the sweet strains they advance,

Which do result from their own spheres;

As this nymph's dance

Moves with the numbers which she bears.

6. Nor could the Greeks repel the Lycian powers,
Nor the bold Lycians force the Grecian towers,
As, on the confines of adjoining grounds,

Two stubborn swains with blows dispute their bounds.
They tug, they sweat; but neither gain nor yield
One foot, one inch, of the contended field.

7. Shakespeare was, like Milton, a celebrated English poet. 8. As the speaker grew more enthusiastic his voice grew louder and louder until it roared like a hurricane.

EXERCISE.

Supply "like", "as", "just as ", or "so", to complete the similes in the following:

1. The hart panteth after the water-brook. My soul panteth after thee.

2. The bee hangs upon the flower. I hang upon the honey of thy eloquent tongue.

3. Flowers are stars, wherein wondrous truths are made manifest.

4. Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

5. No man is born an artist; no man is born an angler.

6.

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,

The bridal of the earth and sky.

7. Words are sunbeams: the more you condense them the deeper they burn.

8.

Our Garrick's a salad, for in him we see

Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree.

9. His rudeness is sauce to his wit.

10. This young man is a fashion-plate, on which we may always find the latest style of dress.

11. The nebulæ are ant-hills of stars. 12. The wish is father to the thought.

EXERCISE.

Compose similes by drawing comparisons between the following: 、1. World-theatre. 2. Errors-straws. 3. Education-tree. 4. Laughter-rippling brook. 5. Style-dress. 6. Hungrygrave. 7. Cold-charity. 8. A false friend-a shadow. 9. A statesman-a pillar. 10. Bravery-lion. 11. Hope-sunshine. 12. Neglected talent a flower in the desert. 13. Earth-mother. 14. Youth-morning. 15. Joy and sorrow-light and shade. 16. Weak thoughts in high-sounding phrases-firecrackers in an empty barrel. 17. Old age-sunset. 18. Life -a sea. 19. Wisdom-owl. 20. Death of a child-blighting

of a blossoni.