stimulus would be given to the
reserved and a curb imposed upon the verbose.

The primary principle employed to effect this was ellipsis, but an
accurate understanding of the intelligence of the hearer was requisite
in order to become proficient. The alphabet was not disturbed or
abbreviated. The radical change was in the dismemberment of sentences.
And here it was obvious that a greater number of words could be omitted
without destroying the sense with a clever listener than with a dull
person. His statistics showed that two individuals thoroughly conversant
with the system could discourse rationally upon intricate topics by the
use of single words and even single monosyllables in place of entire
sentences; and this led him to believe that as the race grew in
intelligence, speech would finally become a rudimentary organ and cease
to be. Nor was this inconsistent with his general theory; for in his
opinion the gradual tendency of all mere physical attributes was to
coalesce with mind. In an analogous way the time would come when mankind
instead of eating too much or too little would not eat at all. But the
first stage in this gradual evolution must be a repression of extremes
resulting in moderation. It was to effect a recognition of this that his
labors were directed.

I expected to be even more interested in the essay on "The Equipoise of
Passion," remembering the intense character of his amatory verse. But
the philosophical terms were so numerous that I found myself at a loss
as to his meaning at times. His treatment of the subject was quite
different; for whereas (he explained) speech was a physical attribute
and destined to give place to some other method of affinity, love was
psychical in its essence, and hence immortal. But he maintained that
moderation should control spirit no less than matter, and that either
undue exaltation or a lack of sentiment were inconsistent with the
noblest type of altruism.

Love in order to be perfect must be rational and cognizant, as he
expressed it. The beloved object should be enthroned, but without
exaggeration, and yet with ecstasy. The defect of love as it at present
existed was that it was either an hallucination or a bargain. This
should not be; but on the other hand the equipoise of passion like the
equipoise of religion,--of which it was in his opinion the peer, and
with which it was in a certain sense blended,--was attainable only by
exceptional souls. The equipoise of