Quintilian.--But, as Quintilian saith, there is a briefness of the
parts sometimes that makes the whole long: "As I came to the
stairs, I took a pair of oars, they launched out, rowed apace, I
landed at the court gate, I paid my fare, went up to the presence,
asked for my lord, I was admitted." All this is but, "I went to the
court and spake with my lord." This is the fault of some Latin
writers within these last hundred years of my reading, and perhaps
Seneca may be appeached of it; I accuse him not.
2. Perspicuitas.--The next property of epistolary style is
perspicuity, and is oftentimes by affectation of some wit ill angled
for, or ostentation of some hidden terms of art. Few words they
darken speech, and so do too many; as well too much light hurteth
the eyes, as too little; and a long bill of chancery confounds the
understanding as much as the shortest note; therefore, let not your
letters be penned like English statutes, and this is obtained.
These vices are eschewed by pondering your business well and
distinctly concerning yourself, which is much furthered by uttering
your thoughts, and letting them as well come forth to the light and
judgment of your own outward senses as to the censure of other men's
ears; for that is the reason why many good scholars speak but
fumblingly; like a rich man, that for want of particular note and
difference can bring you no certain ware readily out of his shop.
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