502 Modem Languages, [Chap. XV; 



ease of discourse he becomes so '^ fantastically ill- 

 folded" as to be obscure, if not unintelligible. His 

 manner has, indeed, many beauties, but it has also 

 multiplied blemishes; and the reader of taste will 

 proba!)ly allow that English style has rather suf- 

 fered deterioration than gained improvement by 

 his literary labours. 



The sum of the matter, then, seems to be this; 

 that English style, since the commencement of the 

 eii^liteenth centurv\ has become more rich and 

 copious, by a large accession of words; that it has 

 gained a more " lofty port," and '' moves with a 

 more firm and vigorous step ;" that the structure 

 of sentences, in our best authors, is more compress- 

 ed, accurate, and philosophical; that '^the con- 

 nective particles are used with more attention to 

 their genuine meaning;" and, in general, that the 

 scientific spirit of the age has extended itself re- 

 markably, in giving to our, language that preci- 

 sion, spirit, force, polish, and chaste ornament, 

 which are so frequently met with at the present 

 day *. 



The English language is, indeed, capable of 

 much greater improvement, and will, probably, 

 receive more than it has yet attained. Improprie- 

 ties, and viohitions of analogy, are to be found, in 

 considera])le number, in the best writers ; and 



* There are some good remarks on English style in the ///- 

 quircr, a So its of Kssat/s, by William Godwin. Though no friend 

 to human ha^jpincss can recommend the moral or religious princi- 

 ples of this writer, which are preeminently fitted to delude, cor- 

 napt, and destroy j yet he is himself master of a vigorous style, 

 and hi3 judgment on a question of literary taste is entitled to re- 

 spect. 



