49. A good phrase should not extend inconveniently far above the line of writing, like the phrase literary researches, or rare resources; nor too far below, like the phrase to this day there appears to be; nor too far horizontally, like the phrase as many know their necessary effect. Many beginners seem to think that, to phrase properly, all that is necessary is, as word follows word, to keep the pen on the paper until some impossibility of junction requires it to be lifted. The objection to phrases which unduly extend upward or downward or sideward is not only that they "interfere with the writing above or below," or that "time is lost in the pen's return to the line of writing." These objections are strong; but a stronger one is that phrases of undue length upward, downward or sideward disturb the adjustment of the hand by carrying it away from the field in which it is accustomed to move and in which it moves easily. Anyone by careful observation can see that in general the pen performs its work within a limited range. The hand, as it travels across the page, adjusts itself again and again to a constantly changing area of writing, very limited in extent. Each new adjustment prepares it for action in a new field, and, generally speaking, is accomplished, if possible, during a pen-lift, not while the act of writing is being performed. This instinctive craving of the hand at certain points for readjustment is what constitutes the difficulty of so decided a lateral movement as is required in writing, for instance, the phrase as soon as an other case may occur

A phrase is too long when the hand feels the inconvenience of a too extended movement upward, downward or laterally. But it must not be forgotten that phrases too long for some writers are not too long for others. Some hands can make, without readjustment, a wider sweep of movement than others. This is less on account of intrinsic ability or inability of a particular hand than on account of the way the hand has been trained or is managed.

50. A good phrase should not contain a confusing succession of similar signs in the same direction, such as the

phrase in my nomination

Such phrases cause hesitation, the hand and the eye seeming to lose their bearings.