P L A «I N STYLE.

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of a didactic manner, throughout all his writings,and conveyed fo much inftru&ion without theleaft approach to ornament. With the molt pro-found genius, and extenfive views, he writeslike a pure intelligence , who addreffes himfelffolely to the underftanding, without making anyufe of the channel of the imagination. But thisis a manner which deferves not to be imitated.For, although the goodnefs of the matter maycompenfate the drynefs or harlhnefs of the Style,yet is that drynefs a confiderable defedt; as itfatigues attention, and conveys our fentiments,with difadvantage, to the reader or hearer.

A PiaiN Style rifes one degree above a Dryone. A writer of this character, employs verylittle ornament of any kind, and refts, almoft,entirely upon his fenfe. But, if he is at no painsto engage us by the employment of figures,muhcal arrangement, or any other art of writing,he ftudies , however, to avoid difgufting us likea dry and a harlh writer. Befides Perfpicuity,he purfues Propriety, Purity, and Precilion, inhis Language; which form one degree, and noinconfiderable one, of beatity. Livelinefs too, andforce, may be confident with a very Plain Style:and, therefore, fuch an author, if his fentimentsbe good, may be abundantly agreeable. Thedifference between a dry and plain writer, is,that the former is incapable of ornament, andfeems not to know what it is ; the latter feeksnot after it. He gives us his meaning, in goodlanguage, diftincl and pure; any further orna-

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XVIII.