The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-08-21
A CHAPTER ON BREy1TY.


"Brevity is the soul of wit" says an ancien,
Philosophor--and many modern sci cioise men
have repeated the saying.
Truth says compiler Of various Bio.
graphical. and Geographical volumes, sis the
scul of my work. end brevity is its body
Strong quality. tha, can at once be body and
soul--mei links that would conflict not little
with modern theology But, good reader
many excellent things partake of the property
which you now look down upon, or else over.
look in measure.
For instance, life, pleasure, good style, and
good resolutions all Of which are proverbiaily
brief. Go, and learn by experience, read Law
yors briefs without foe; study the statutes
for light in forlorn case; regale myself with
"Webstcrs abridged:" or if you are trader
| giye long credit; if you set value on tho mo-
rnonts bind your ears to five hours apprentice.
| ship to tho U. s. Senate Chamber-or if you
can recall the days of "auld lang syne' of long
sermons, when tho long winded preachers
were accustomed TO hold faith over their elss
SOS. to the long cared and long suffering mul.
ttuac. Over their glasses ! say; moan by
ths--,hat they were such, as old time is re-
presented as running away with, such as we
would naturally associate with a College fag
or a Lawyers Office. Should modern pull
pit orator undertake to preach by the hour
glass am inclined tn think he would be build
ing his hopes of preferment on sandy f,unda.
ton, aud would most probably see his concre-
CATION run out before his sand. am brief
myself, brief in stature. brief in knowledge
short Of memory and money, and far short ol
my wishes, yet in most things | am an admirer
Of brovity. / cannot endure long dipners---
deliver me from tho ennu Of a needless hall
hour at the table, and from tho infection OF
eertain motions Of the jaw--such as yawning
though it be nicely done.
But OF all long things. ,horo are throo which
| hold in special ahhorrence: long bill, a long
railway ride, and long debate. Bills, are apt
10 grow long in proportion as the means ol
paying them are short; and tradesmen do not
like honorable gentlemen move for leave to
sum total tina, regard 1t is the insignificant
items, the heart breaking fractions. the endless
sub divisions Of misery that provoke me. II
is as II one were condemned to be blown up
with a mass of gunpowder. and at tho same
time to feel the seperate explosion Of every
grain. a long debate is to me like long sto-
ry, Of hieh know the conclusion before il il
began. To read or listen to il is as tedious a,
to play game which you are sure of losing
The catastrophe of every discussion may be sc
clearly foreseen end the very Arguments, and
almost the very metaphors of each member SC
easily anticipated. that it is a cruel oppression
to force one to threat the intricate mazes o.
eloquence, in order 10 arrive at point tc
which hop, step and jump may carry him.
Oh that the value of brcvty wore understood
by Speakers and Authors. by Politicians, Pod
lers. and slorytellers, Strest-sweeps, House
cleaners, and Aucioneers But on tho sub
jeci of brevity, l proposed TO be az "bref a,
weman's love" and lest should belle my ii.
tie. will even conclude here. M. t. b.
| Coldwater, Aug. 9.
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