Page:A Dissertation on Reading the Classics and Forming a Just Style.djvu/140

96 The ﬁrst Thing requisite, my Lord, to a just Style is a perfect Mastery in the Language we write in; this is not so easily attained, as is commonly imagined, and dependeth upon a competent Knowledge of the Force and Propriety of Words, a good natural Taste of Strength and Delicacy, and all the Beauties of Expression. It is my own Opinion, that all the Rules and critical Observations in the World will never bring a Man to a just Style, who hath not of himself a natural easy Way of Writing; but they will improve a good Genius, where Nature leadeth the Way, provided he is not Rh