16 NERVOUS AND FEEBLE STYLE.

L e c t. very often coincide. Diffnfe writers have for theXVIII. moft part fome degree of feeblenefs; and nervouswriters will generally be inclined to a concifeexpreffion. This , however , does not alwayshold; and there are inftances of writers, who,in the midft of a full and ample Style , havemaintained a great degree of^flrength. Livy is anexample ; and in the Englifh language , Dr.Barrow. Barrow’s Style has many faults. It isunequal, incorrect and redundant; but withal,for force and expreffivenefs uncommonly dif-tinguifhed. On every fnbjedt, he multiplies wordswith an overflowing copioufnefs; but it is alwaysa torrent of ftrong ideas and fignilicant expref-fions which he pours forth. Indeed , the founda-tions of a nervous or a weak Style are laid inan author’s manner of thinking. If he conceivesan object ftrongly, he will exprefs it with energy:but , if he has only an indiftindt view of hisfubjedt; if his ideas be loofe and wavering; if hisgenius be fuch , or, at the time of his writing,fo carelefly exerted , that he has no firm holdof the conception which he would communicateto us ; the marks of this will clearly appear inhis Style. Several unmeaning words, and loofeepithets will be found; 1:is expreffions will bevague and general ; his arrangement indiftindtand feeble; we fliall conceive fomewhat of hismeaning , but our conception- will be faint.Whereas a nervous'writer , whether he employsan extended or a concife Style, gives us alwaysa ftrong impreffion of his meaning; his mind is

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