The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-03
ExagGerntlon.

Hyperbole. or exaggeratiOn, is Classed
among figures OF speech. If We take figura-
tive language 10 mean any departure from or
binary expression. this X a. figure ON the as
sumption that ordinary speech presents things
as they are. things as they appear 70 the eye
Of cool, sober common sense. ID their true re-
iatiOns and proportions. Things are eNagger-
ated from this standard by personal FEELINGS.
by loves and hatTcds, hopes and fears. adnli-
ration. wonder and c, attempt. Strictly speaz-
ing it Is only what we love or admire or fear
that we eXaggcrate, or make 10 appear bigger
than 1t is; but the word hyperbOle Is applied
equally 10 the mfnimizings on behttlings or
distortions OF bntred OF contempt. This Is
how hyperboles misc, aud we are all 50 apt TO
view things through the medium Of passion
and prejudice that exaggerated language Is
the rule rather than the exception. Who can
profess to SEQ things steadily through
a cearsnd coioricss medium, q medium uncOi-
ored by preiudice, unclonded by mlsts Of
p0sson7 Still there IA a certain average level
which yarics with the habits OF generations
and the temperamcnts Of races and nGtionaii-
ties and il is from this level t5et each genera
ton judges what is hyperboiical or extraYa-
CANT In speech Many persons hahitually uss
language OF e8a2gsration from mere ariOr Of
tempersment Their feelings are always in
extremes. What interests them for the mo-
nent Is the most wonderful thing ia the whole
course Of their experience. Their geese are
all swans their wicked men monsters of de-
pravity, their good men paragons OF virtue.
We are all apt TO eIaegerate IN this way more
or less. But is " ever permissible to exagger-
rate for rhetorical effect? One would be dis
posed 10 say Ofhand that il cau never be: that
nothing but plain, sober statement can ever
be justifable that the bare truth tells twice.
But the question fairly faced is not so SIMPLE
as & looks. II is partly a question Of ethics
and partly question o. taste
On the ethical side IL may bo argued in this
way Suppose n case of distress to be re.
lieved. of a bad habit to be changed. a law ~
be repealed or enacted, On institution 10 DO
reformed. The pubic are apathetc aud in
different. An enthusiast in the cause ad-
dresses them. He believes the distress 10 be
worse than il really is be ascribeS all sorts Of
pernciOus consequences 10 the bad habit; he
expects too much from bis scheme Of reform
He uses hypcrbohcal language. But the i'm
preston he produces Is no stronger than the
bare truth ought 20 produce. II he used sober
language, his ap1tbetic public would not stir.
he would produce no impression ne all. His
hearers are at a distance from him. wrapt up
in their own concerns; he must raise his voice
or they Will not hear A statue intended 10
be seen at height must be carved larger
than life size, otherwise it will appear
diminutiye. IL is by the impression pro-
duced that the work must he
judged. There is q certain amount Ot
truth in this. II may be conceded that no
great cause was ever won without enthusiasm
and enthusiasm always exaggerates. II il he
natural corrective Of apathy. which is lust a.
far from the truth on the other side j. ex-
aggeration, then, 10 be recommended That
is another affair. You must remember tina. if
you are in earnest YOU will probably exagce-
rate enough without trying The man Who
exaggerates deliberately is charlatan.
puner Of spurious goods besides, he is almost
certain 10 be found out. The accent of in
sincerity IS easily detected. whether in speech
or in writing. In rhetoric. as in other things,
honesty is the best policy The question Of
taste IN the use Of hypcrbole is more subtle
This often arises when there il 10 question If
moral truth OF falsehood. of leading or mis-
leading opinion. II is rather, as it were. IN
affair Of dress. Expression is the dress Of
thought" and we may dress in quiet colors
cut after the fashion of our time. or in galing
colors and eccentric disregard of both fashion
and propnety. Professor William Mimic In
the Chsutaueuan for May