9. The economy of the recipient's mental energy, into which
are thus resolvable the several causes of the strength of Saxon
English, may equally be traced in the superiority of specific over
generic words. That concrete terms produce more vivid impressions
than abstract ones, and should, when possible, be used instead, is
a thorough maxim of composition. As Dr. Campbell says, "The more
general the terms are, the picture is the fainter; the more special
they are, 'tis the brighter." We should avoid such a sentence as:--"In
proportion as the manners, customs, and amusements of a nation are
cruel and barbarous, the regulations of their penal code will be
severe." And in place of it we should write:--"In proportion as men
delight in battles, bull-fights, and combats of gladiators, will
they punish by hanging, burning, and the rack."

10. This superiority of specific expressions is clearly due to
a saving of the effort required to translate words into thoughts.
As we do not think in generals but in particulars--as, whenever any
class of things is referred to, we represent it to ourselves by
calling to mind individual members of it; it follows that when an
abstract word is used, the bearer or reader has to choose from his
stock of images, one or more, by which he may figure to himself the
genus mentioned. In doing this, some delay must arise some force
be expended; and if, by employing a specific term, an appropriate
image can be at once suggested, an economy is achieved, and a more
vivid impression produced.



ii The Principle of Economy applied to Sentences.