The predominant feelings have by use trained the
intellect to represent them. But while long, though unconscious,
discipline has made it do this efficiently, it remains from lack of
practice, incapable of doing the same for the less active feelings;
and when these are excited, the usual verbal forms undergo but
slight modifications. Let the powers of speech be fully developed,
however--let the ability of the intellect to utter the emotions be
complete; and this fixity of style will disappear. The perfect
writer will express himself as Junius, when in the Junius frame of
mind; when he feels as Lamb felt, will use a like familiar speech;
and will fall into the ruggedness of Carlyle when in a Carlylean
mood. Now he will be rhythmical and now irregular; here his language
will be plain and there ornate; sometimes his sentences will be
balanced and at other times unsymmetrical; for a while there will
be considerable sameness, and then again great variety. His mode
of expression naturally responding to his state of feeling, there
will flow from his pen a composition changing to the same degree
that the aspects of his subject change.
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