Hence it is that talkative shallow men do often content the hearers
more than the wise. But this may find a speedier redress in
writing, where all comes under the last examination of the eyes.
First, mind it well, then pen it, then examine it, then amend it,
and you may be in the better hope of doing reasonably well. Under
this virtue may come plainness, which is not to be curious in the
order as to answer a letter, as if you were to answer to
interrogatories. As to the first, first; and to the second,
secondly, &c. but both in method to use (as ladies do in their
attire) a diligent kind of negligence, and their sportive freedom;
though with some men you are not to jest, or practise tricks; yet
the delivery of the most important things may be carried with such a
grace, as that it may yield a pleasure to the conceit of the reader.
There must be store, though no excess of terms; as if you are to
name store, sometimes you may call it choice, sometimes plenty,
sometimes copiousness, or variety; but ever so, that the word which
comes in lieu have not such difference of meaning as that it may put
the sense of the first in hazard to be mistaken.
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