[H: Ap. _Is. Casaub._ Proleg. ad Theophrast.]
The primary Standard for Style is the Nature of the Subject: And
therefore, as _Characteristic-Writings_ are professed Representations
of Nature, an Author in this Way is immediately concern'd to use a
simple and natural Style: Nor has he any Reason to fear, that this
will any ways prejudice his Performance, and make it appear low, flat
and insipid; for in Reality there is nothing more noble than a true
Simplicity, and nothing more beautiful than Nature, when it appears in
the easy Charms of its own native Dress.
In _Characteristic-Writings_ both the Way of Thinking and the Style
must be Laconic: Much must be contained in a little Compass. Brevity
of Diction adds new Life to a good Thought: And since every perfect
Stroke ought to be a distinct Representation of a particular Feature,
Matters shou'd be so order'd, that every perfect Sentence may contain
a perfect Thought, and every perfect Thought may represent one
Feature.
Many other Particulars might have been observ'd and recommended to
those, who wou'd attempt a Performance in this Kind, with some
Assurance of Success.
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