[Grammar] "(the) horse and man presented a picture worthy of skilful delineation."

[Fagin]

"On saying this, the stranger rode a few paces apart; and appeared to scrutinize the country - as if to determine the direction which the travellers should take.
Poised conspicuously upon the crest of the ridge, horse and man presented a picture worthy of skilful delineation."

The same book again - Mayne Reid's "The Headless Horseman", 1865.

According to what I've been taught there should be the definite article there, that is it should be "the horse and man presented a picture".
But as I'm not in a position to question Mayne Reid's literacy I guess there is some import in thus omitting the article. What is it about?

 

[White Hat]

Re: Articles

Sounds fine in that context. It's like saying 'the image of horse and man', like here:

Then the image of horse and man slowly disappeared as John's men watched from the trenches. (Claude Wayne)
or
Burned into my mind was the image of horse and man, all muscle and speed, moving in perfect unity—the mythic centaur in the flesh. (Cara Summers)

Nice usage.

 

[Fagin]

Re: Articles

Sounds fine in that context. It's like saying 'the image of horse and man'

Thank you! I'll try and reconcile myself to this.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: "(the) horse and man presented a picture worthy of skilful delineation."

Please note that I have changed your thread title.


Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'