ubsistence by the help of
bayonets,--_such a church_, on our principles, could not, we must own,
be defended."

*39. It is a help to clearness, when the first part of the sentence
prepares the way for the middle and the middle for the end, in a kind
of ascent. This ascent is called "climax."*

In the following there are two climaxes, each of which has three
terms:--

"To gossip(a) is a fault(b); to _libel_(a'), a _crime_(b'); to
slander(a''), a _sin_(b'')."

In the following, there are several climaxes, and note how they
contribute to the clearness of a long sentence:--

"Man, working, has _contrived_(a) the Atlantic Cable, but I declare
that it _astonishes_(b) me far more to think _that for his mere
amusement_(c), that to _entertain a mere idle hour_(c'), he has
_created_(a') 'Othello' and 'Lear,' and I am more than astonished, I
am _awe-struck_(b'), at that inexplicable elasticity of his nature
which enables him, instead of _turning away_(d) from _calamity and
grief_(e), or instead of merely _defying_(d') them, actually to _make
them the material of his amusement_(d''), and to draw from the
_wildest agonies of the human spirit_(e') a pleasure which is not
only _not cruel_(f), but is in the highest degree _pure and
ennobling_(f')."

The neglect of climax produces an abruptness that interferes with the
even flow of thought. Thus, if Pope, in his ironical address to
mankind, had written--

"Go, wondrous creature, mount where science guides;
Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides;
Go, teach Eternal Wisdom how to rule"--

the ascent would have been too rapid. The transition from earth to
heaven, and from investigating to governing, is prepared by the
intervening climax--

"Instruct the planets in what orbs to run;
Correct old Time, and regulate the Sun;
Go, soar with Plato to th' empyreal sphere,
To the first good, first perfect, and first fair."

*40. When the thought is expected to ascend and yet descends,
feebleness and sometimes confusion is the result. The descent is
called "bathos."*

"What pen can describe the tears, the lamentations, the agonies, the
_animated remonstrances_ of the unfortunate prisoners?"

"She was a woman of many accomplishments and virtues, graceful in her
movements, winning in her address, a kind friend, a faithful and
loving wife, a most affectionate mother, and she _played beautifully
on the pianoforte_."

INTENTIONAL BATHOS has a