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CHAPTER III.

THE HIGHER EXCELLENCE AND UTILITY OF THE

DIAGRAMS.

1. The diagrams eminently natural and practical-Naturalness of the method for principal elements-Of the method for principal elements having a common dependence-Of the method for adjunct elements-Of the method for auxiliary elements-2. They are peculiarly simple in their elements and laws-But three primary elements in figure-Complicated diagrams composed of these alone, in variation or combination-Variation for adjuncts, prepositions, &c.-Variation in size and proportion for elements in common relation-Combination for included complex elements-For complex terms having double relationsSimplicity of general laws-3. They are in harmony with analysis—Parallelism between general analysis and grammatical analysis and the diagrams-Parallelism between principal elements in analysis and the diagrams-4. They give the clearest view of sentences as wholes-Structure of long sentences difficult to comprehend-Aid afforded to true scholarship in language-Aid afforded in attaining just views of sentential philosophy -5. They give the best view of comparative structure in style—6. They supply a means of representing sentential structure in the abstract-Abstract representation in the diagram compared with verbal description-Resulting advantage in the comparative study of style-Advantage in teach ing composition.

HAVING thus, sufficiently for the present purpose, considered the objections urged against the diagrams, it remains for us to examine the more direct and positive proofs of their utility, which may be deduced from their nature and practical capacity.

1.-The Diagrams eminently natural and practical.

We urge then, first, that the diagrams are eminently natural and practical in their original idea. Instead of basing themselves upon some artistic idea, and developing a merely picturesque illustration, (which we believe to be the cause of the failure that has hitherto attended such efforts, and the prejudice which has consequently arrayed itself against the use of grammatical diagrams,) the system here advocated restricts itself purely to the end in utility, and gives us, not æsthetic drawings, but pure diagrams.

NATURALNESS OF THE METHOD FOR PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS.

It takes, as its leading idea, the simple enclosing of the fundamental elements of sentences and phrases, as standing in their natural position, in such curvilinear figures as serve to define the field, and represent the relations of each when expressed, or as may, when discharged of the elements themselves, become an abstract symbol of the generalized facts of the involved functions and dependence. Take, for example, the sentences, "God exists;" "Virtue secures happiness ;" and what device more natural than the following:

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in which, by the simplest of figures, each element is represented in its natural order, confined within its own field, established in a common grade of equality, and connected according to its prevailing relation? Or suppose that you take the several phrases, "Of Java;” “To

dream;" "To give gifts;" and "Gaining time;" what more simple and natural than to enclose their elements in the very order in which they occur, as follows:

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NATURALNESS OF THE METHOD FOR PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS
HAVING A COMMON DEPENDENCE.

Still further, if you have sentences or phrases, involving principal elements having common functions and relations, as, for example, these, "Industry and temperance promote health;" and "In peace and safety;" how natural to enclose the similar elements in corresponding figures and attach them alike to the one to which they are alike related, thus:

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NATURALNESS OF THE METHOD FOR ADJUNCT ELEMENTS.

Again, if the principal elements are accompanied by adjuncts, having the former already enclosed in their respective figures, and connected in a diagram; what principle could be plainer than that, as ad-juncts, the latter should be enclosed in a half figure, and be attached below the elements which they modify, thus .

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NATURALNESS OF THE METHOD FOR AUXILIARY ELEMENTS.

So, in the case of auxiliary elements, or mere connectives, nothing could be more natural than placing them in their appropriate figure, between, and attached to both the elements which they connect, thus (see "and"):

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The same is true of the disposition made in the diagram of the independent elements. And thus, throughout the whole scheme, the fundamental idea of representation in diagram, is so naturally suggested by the simplest facts and laws of connected expression in language, that the only wonder would seem to be, that it was not seized upon, and wrought out in this practical manner, long ago.

2.-They are peculiarly simple in their elements and laws.

Secondly. The diagrams are eminently simple in their elements and laws. Complicated as they may be, and indeed must be, in their ultimate and more extended combinations, nothing could be less so in their fundamental nature.

BUT THREE PRIMARY ELEMENTS IN FIGURE.

If, for example, you take their primary elements in figure, you will find the whole embraced within these

three; the horizontal ellipse, as may be seen in the following example :

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the simple right line, as seen in this and the following'

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and the waved line, as partially exemplified in the following:

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THE MOST COMPLICATED DIAGRAM MADE UP OF THESE THREE ELEMENTS ALONE.

Incredible as it may seem to the uninitiated, out of these three elements, than which nothing could be more simple, by mere variations in position, completeness, size, combination and connection, the diagram for the most extended and involved sentence, may be both naturally and admirably developed.

* General.

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