Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Observations On The English Style Of Writing
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ENGLISH STYLE OF WRITING
IN A LETTER KI 10 M THE I ' . IGHT HON . EDMUND BURKE TO ARTHUR MURPHY , ESg „ ON THE PUBLICATION OF HIS TRANSLATION OFTAC 1 TUS .
[ CONCLUDED FllOM OUR lAST . ' ]
HPHE tendency of the mode to which I allude is to establish two - " - very different idioms amongst us , and to introduce a marked distinction between the English that is written 'and the English that is spoken . This practice , if grown a little more general , would confirm this distemper , such I must think it , in our language , and perhaps render it incurable . From this feigned manner offalsetto , as I think the musicians call
something of the same sort in singing , no one modern historian , Robertson only excepted , is perfectl y free . It is assumed , I know , to give dignity and variety to the style . But whatever success the attempt may sometimes have , it is always obtained at the expence of purity , and of the graces that are natural and appropriate to our language . Itis true , that when the exigence calls for auxiliaries of all sorts , and common language becomes unequal to the demands of extraordinary thoughts , something ought to be conceded to the necessities which make ' Ambition Virtue : ' but -the allowances to necessities oueht not to arrow
into a practice . Those portents and prodigies ought not to grow too common . If you have here and there ( much more rarely , however , than others of great , and not unmerited fame ) fallen into an error , which is not that of the dull or careless , you have an author who is himself guilty , in his own tongue , of the same fault , in a very high degree . No author thinks more deeply , or paints more strongly ; but he seldom or ever expresses himself naturally . It is plain that ,
comparing him with Plautus and Terence , or the beautiful fragments of Publius Syrus , he did not write the language of good conversation , Cicero is much nearer to it . Tacitus and the writers of his time have fallen into that vice , by aiming at a poetical style . It is true , that eloquence in both modes of rhethorick is fundamentally the same ; but the manner of handling is totally different , even where words and phrases may be transferred from the one of these departments of writing to the other .
I have accepted the licence you have allowed me , and blotted your book in such a manner that I must call for another for my shelves . I wish you would come hither for a day or two . Twenty coaches come almost to our very door . In an hour ' s conversation we can do more than in twenty sheets of writing . Do come and make us all happy . My affectionate compliments to our worthy Doftor . Pray believe me , with most sincere respect and regard , ¦
My dear Sir , Your most faithful and obedient humble servant , Beawsfrld , Die . 8 , 1703 , EDMUND BURKS .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Observations On The English Style Of Writing
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ENGLISH STYLE OF WRITING
IN A LETTER KI 10 M THE I ' . IGHT HON . EDMUND BURKE TO ARTHUR MURPHY , ESg „ ON THE PUBLICATION OF HIS TRANSLATION OFTAC 1 TUS .
[ CONCLUDED FllOM OUR lAST . ' ]
HPHE tendency of the mode to which I allude is to establish two - " - very different idioms amongst us , and to introduce a marked distinction between the English that is written 'and the English that is spoken . This practice , if grown a little more general , would confirm this distemper , such I must think it , in our language , and perhaps render it incurable . From this feigned manner offalsetto , as I think the musicians call
something of the same sort in singing , no one modern historian , Robertson only excepted , is perfectl y free . It is assumed , I know , to give dignity and variety to the style . But whatever success the attempt may sometimes have , it is always obtained at the expence of purity , and of the graces that are natural and appropriate to our language . Itis true , that when the exigence calls for auxiliaries of all sorts , and common language becomes unequal to the demands of extraordinary thoughts , something ought to be conceded to the necessities which make ' Ambition Virtue : ' but -the allowances to necessities oueht not to arrow
into a practice . Those portents and prodigies ought not to grow too common . If you have here and there ( much more rarely , however , than others of great , and not unmerited fame ) fallen into an error , which is not that of the dull or careless , you have an author who is himself guilty , in his own tongue , of the same fault , in a very high degree . No author thinks more deeply , or paints more strongly ; but he seldom or ever expresses himself naturally . It is plain that ,
comparing him with Plautus and Terence , or the beautiful fragments of Publius Syrus , he did not write the language of good conversation , Cicero is much nearer to it . Tacitus and the writers of his time have fallen into that vice , by aiming at a poetical style . It is true , that eloquence in both modes of rhethorick is fundamentally the same ; but the manner of handling is totally different , even where words and phrases may be transferred from the one of these departments of writing to the other .
I have accepted the licence you have allowed me , and blotted your book in such a manner that I must call for another for my shelves . I wish you would come hither for a day or two . Twenty coaches come almost to our very door . In an hour ' s conversation we can do more than in twenty sheets of writing . Do come and make us all happy . My affectionate compliments to our worthy Doftor . Pray believe me , with most sincere respect and regard , ¦
My dear Sir , Your most faithful and obedient humble servant , Beawsfrld , Die . 8 , 1703 , EDMUND BURKS .