"
40. Here, from the lapse of time and accumulation of circumstances,
the first part of the comparison is forgotten before its application
is reached, and requires re-reading. Had the main idea been first
mentioned, less effort would have been required to retain it, and
to modify the conception of it into harmony with the comparison,
than to remember the comparison, and refer back to its successive
features for help in forming the final image.
41. The superiority of the Metaphor to the Simile is ascribed
by Dr. Whately to the fact that "all men are more gratified at
catching the resemblance for themselves, than in having it pointed
out to them." But after what has been said, the great economy it
achieves will seem the more probable cause. Lear's exclamation--
"Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend,"
would lose part of its effect were it changed into--
"Ingratitude! thou fiend with heart like marble;"
and the loss would result partly from the position of the simile and
partly from the extra number of words required.
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