That writer does the most who gives his reader the most knowledge and takes from him the least time. Sidney Smith once remarked, "After you have written an article, take your pen and strike out half of the words, and you will be surprised to see how much stronger it is." In literature, our taste will be discovered by that which we give and our judgment by that which we withhold.

There is nothing so fascinating as simplicity and earnestness. A writer who has an object and goes right on to accomplish it will compel the attention of his readers. Montaigne, the celebrated French essayist, whose clear style, as well as vigor of thought, has been the praise of good critics the world over, made his boast that he never used a word that could not be readily understood by anybody in the Paris markets. Plain words are ever the best.

A man cannot put his thoughts, if he have any, into language too plain. Good writing, like good speaking, consists in simplicity and force of diction, and not in inflated, curiously balanced or elaborately constructed sentences. The best writing is but a degree above the best conversation, and that only because the writer has a little more time to select his words than the speaker has.

Do not assume that, because you have something important to communicate, it is necessary to write a long article. A tremendous thought may be packed into a small compass - made as solid as a cannon ball, and, like the projectile, cut down all before it. Short articles are generally more effective, find more readers and are more widely copied than long ones. Pack your thoughts close together, and though your article may be brief it will be more likely to make an impression,

Remember all the time that facility in composition as in all other accomplishments, can only be obtained by practice and perseverance True grace in writing comes by art, not chance; As they move easiest who have learned to dance.

It should never be forgotten that the sole use of words and sentences is to convey thought and impression. Hence words and sentences should not be seen. The highest art in the use of language is to conceal itself. The old maxim is in place: "Ars est celare artem" - "Art is in concealing art." The perfection of a window pane is in concealing itself, so that as you look through it upon the objects beyond you do not see it, are not conscious that it is there.

Many a man's destiny has been made or marred for time and for eternity by the influence which a single sentiment has made on his mind, by its forming his character for life, making it terribly true that moments sometimes fix the coloring of our whole subsequent existence. Hence those who write for the public should do so under a deep sense of responsibility, and endeavor to do it in that healthful and equable state of mind and body which favors a clear, unexaggerated and logical expression of ideas.

Mr. Webster once replied to a gentleman who pressed him to speak on a subject of great importance: "The subject interests me deeply, but I have not time. There, sir," pointing to a huge pile of letters on the table, "is a pile of unanswered letters to which I must reply before the close of this session (which was then three days off), I have no time to master the subject so as to do it justice." " But, Mr. Webster, a few words from you would do much to awaken public attention to it." " If there is so much weight in my words as you represent, it is because I do not allow myself to speak on any subject until my mind is imbued with it."

The writer who uses weak arguments and strong epithets makes quite as great a mistake as the landlady who furnished her guests with weak tea and strong butter. More people commit suicide with the pen than with the pistol, the dagger and the rope. A pin has as much head as a good many authors, and a great deal more point. Good aims do not always make good books.

Alexander Hamilton once said to an intimate friend: "Men give me some credit for genius. All the genius I have lies just in this: When I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it in all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort which I make the people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought."

Obscurity in writing is commonly an argument of darkness in the mind. The greatest learning is to be seen in the greatest plainness. Obscure writers, like turbid streams, seem deeper than they are. Unintelligible language is a lantern without a light. Some authors write nonsense in a clear style, and others sense in an obscure one; some can reason without being able to persuade, others can persuade without being able to reason.

As 'tis a greater mystery in the art Of painting to foreshorten any part Than draw it out; so 'tis in books the chief Of all perfections to be plain and brief.