STYLE AND THE MAN 79 



may demand of every man's style, — that it shall do 

 its work, that it shall touch the quick. To be color- 

 less like Arnold is good, and to have color like Rus- 

 kin is good ; to be lofty and austere like the old 

 Latin and Greek authors is good, and to be playful 

 and discursive like Dr. Holmes is good ; to be con- 

 densed and epigrammatic like Bacon pleases, and to 

 be flowing and copious like Macaulay pleases. Within 

 certain limits the manner that is native to the man, 

 the style that is a part of himself, is what wears 

 best. What we do not want in any style is hard- 

 ness, glitter, tumidity, superfetation, unreality. 



In treating of nature or outdoor themes, let the 

 style have limpidness, sweetness, freshness ; in cri- 

 ticism let it have dignity, lucidity, penetration ; in 

 history let it have mass, sweep, comprehension ; in 

 all things let it have vitality, sincerity, and genuine- 

 ness. 



