To bring the mind more easily to the desired
conception, is in many cases solely, and in all cases mainly, their
object.
34. Let us begin with the figure called Synecdoche. The advantage
sometimes gained by putting a part for the whole, is due to the
more convenient, or more accurate, presentation of the idea. If,
instead of saying "a fleet of ten ships," we say "a fleet of ten
_sail_," the picture of a group of vessels at sea is more readily
suggested; and is so because the sails constitute the most conspicuous
parts of vessels so circumstanced: whereas the word _ships_ would
very likely remind us of vessels in dock. Again, to say, "_All hands_
to the pumps," is better than to say, "All _men_ to the pumps," as
it suggests the men in the special attitude intended, and so saves
effort. Bringing "gray _hairs_ with sorrow to the grave," is
another expression, the effect of which has the same cause.
35. The occasional increase of force produced by Metonymy may
be similarly accounted for. "The low morality of _the bar,_" _is_
a phrase both more brief and significant than the literal one it
stands for.
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