2. By speaking as becomes the _person_ of the _speaker_; as for a _gentleman_ to speak _eruditely_. 3. By speaking _proportionably_ to the matter; as of _great affairs_ to speak in a _high_, and of _mean_, in a _low_ style. 4. By abstaining from _compounded_, and from _out-landish words_: unless a man speak _passionately_, and have already moved, and, as it were, inebriated his hearers; or _ironically_. It confers also to persuasion very much, to use these ordinary forms of speaking; _all men know_, _it is confessed by all_, _no man will deny_, and the like. For the hearer consents, surprised with the fear to be esteemed the only ignorant man. It is good also, having used a word that signifies more than the matter requires, to abstain from the _pronunciation_ and _countenance_ that to such a word belongs; that the disproportion between it and the matter may the less appear. And when a man has said too much, it will show well to correct himself: for he will get belief by seeming to consider what he says. But in this a man must have a care not to be too precise in showing of this consideration. For the ostentation of carefulness is an argument oftentimes of lying; as may be observed in such as tell particularities not easily observed, when they would be thought to speak more precise truth than is required. ========== CHAPTER VIII. OF TWO SORTS OF STYLES. There be two sorts of _styles_. The one _continued_, or to be _comprehended at once_; the other _divided_, or _distinguished_ by periods. The first sort was in use with ancient writers; but is now out of date. An example of this _style_ is in the history of Herodotus; wherein there is no period till the end of the whole history. In the other kind of _style_, that is distinguished by periods, a _period_ is such a part as is perfect in itself; and has such length, as may easily be comprehended by the understanding. This latter kind is pleasant, the former unpleasant; because this appears finite, the other infinite. In this the hearer has always somewhat set out, and terminated to him; in the other he foresees no end, and has nothing finished to him. This may easily be committed to memory, because of the measure and cadence; which is the cause that verses be easily remembered: the other not. Every sentence ought to end with the _period_, and nothing to be interposed. _Period_ is either _simple_, or _divided into parts_. _Simple_, is that which is _indivisible_; as, _I wonder you fear not their ends, whose actions you imitate_.