can appreciate each. In Antithesis, again, we may recognize the
same general truth. The opposition of two thoughts that are the
reverse of each other in some prominent trait, insures an impressive
effect; and does this by giving a momentary relaxation to the
faculties addressed. If, after a series of images of an ordinary
character, appealing in a moderate degree to the sentiment of
reverence, or approbation, or beauty, the mind has presented to it
a very insignificant, a very unworthy, or a very ugly image; the
faculty of reverence, or approbation, or beauty, as the case may
be, having for the time nothing to do, tends to resume its full
power; and will immediately afterwards appreciate a vast, admirable,
or beautiful image better than it would otherwise do. Conversely,
where the idea of absurdity due to extreme insignificance is to be
produced, it maybe greatly intensified by placing it after something
highly impressive: especially if the form of phrase implies that
something still more impressive is coming. A good illustration of
the effect gained by thus presenting a petty idea to a consciousness
that has not yet recovered from the shock of an exciting one, occurs
in a sketch by Balzac. His hero writes to a mistress who has cooled
towards him the following letter:

"Madame, Votre conduite m'etonne autant qu'elle m'afflige Non contente
de me dechirer le coeur par vos dedains vous avez l'indelicatesse
de me retenir une brosse a dents, que mes moyens ne me permettent
pas de remplacer, mes proprietes etant grevees d'hypotheques

"Adieu, trop, belle et trop ingrate ainie! Puissions nous nous
revoir dans un monde meilleur!

"Charles Edouard"