CHAPTER VII. 211 from bis point, and catching at every incident to prolong his story, as though he wanted matter to furnish out his tale. Sernper ad eventum festinat. Though I must confess, I cannot think Homer has always follow- ed this rule in either of his two famous epic poems : but Horace does not hear what I say. There is also another rule near a-kin to the former. As a writer or a speaker should not wander from his subject to fetch in foreign matter from afar, so neither should lie amass together and drag in all that can be said even onhis appointed theme of discourse ; but he should consider what is his chief design, what is the end he hath in view, and then to make every part of his discourse subserve that design. If he keep his great endalways in his eye, he will pass hastily over those parts or ap- pendages of his subject which have no evident connexion with his design, or he will entirely omit them, and hasten continually towards his intended mark ; employing his time, his study and labour, chiefly on that part ofhis subject which is most necessary to attain his present and proper end. This might be illustrated by a multitude of examples ; but an author who should heap them together on such an occasion, might be in danger of becoming himself an example of the impertinence he is cautioning others to avoid. After you have finished any discourse which you design for the public, it would be always best, if other circumstances would permit, to let it sleep some time before you expose it to theworld; that so you may have opportunity to review it with the indifference of a stranger, and to make the whole of it pass under a newand just examination : for no man can judge sojustly of his ownwork, while the pleasure of his invention and performance is fresh, and has engaged his self-love too much on the side of what he has newly finished. If an author would send a discourse into the world, which should be most universally approved, he should consult persons of every different genius, sentiment and party, and endeavour to learn their opinions of it. In the world it will certainly meet with all these. Set it therefore to view amongst several of your acquaintance first, who may survey the argument on all sides, and one may happen to suggest a correction which is entirely neglected by others ; and be sure toyield yourself to the dictates of true criticism, and just censure, ?Wheresoever you meet with them ; nor let a fondness for what you have written, blind your eyes against the discovery of your own mistakes. When an author desires a friend to revise his work, it is to frequent a practice to disallow almost every correction which a judicious friend would make he apologizes for this word, and the other expression ; bevindicates this sentence, and give* his o2
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