Colloquia peripatetica-- deep-sea soundings; being notes of conversations - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ...never feel that either element is in the least too prominent, or at all defective. And I like old Herbert's prose. That " Country Parson" of his is a fine piece of writing. Carlyle, too, when he keeps to genuine English, when his historical narrative (as in some parts of his "French Revolution") is vigorously sustained, has done a great deal to display the capabilities of English prose. But he often writes sheer gibberish, according to the classical tests. And whenever a man becomes cloudy in his words, be sure that his thought has grown shadowy too.... I am fond of the French writers for their clearness. They are not always, or often, profound; but you always know what they mean. You see to the bottom of the well. French literature has not originated much, but it is admirable as a means of popularisation, and good as a vehicle for humour. Voltaire is perhaps the greatest master of wit that ever lived. His style, too, is the finest in French literature. He grounded it, I think, on Pascal's, who wrote most noble French. Voltaire's comedy of "Nanine" I like much. It is sentimental, but thoroughly good. Jean Jacques is poor compared with him. Rousseau strained not of Dr. Samuel Clarke. I may, however, have mistaken Dr. Duncan on this point, and would unhesitatingly insert the name of the author of the "Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God," if his style of writing was such as unmistakably to justify the high praise accorded above.--Ed. after show and effect.... As to writing, in this age of magniloquence I would advise every one to be very careful to use no more words than are necessary to express thought. Aim at the Aristotelic. Some men seem desirous of adumbrating their thoughts by their words....