r'd as a Writer of
Characters, is too affected in his way of Thinking, and too artificial
in the Turn of his Expressions.

The previous Apology which he made for himself in this Point, is so
far from the Purpose, that nothing is more so.

Recollecting, [S]says he, that amongst the Writings ascrib'd to
_Theophrastus_ by _Diogenes Laertius_, there is one which bears the
Title of _Proverbs_, i.e. of loose unconnected Observations, and
that the most considerable Book of Morality, that ever was made,
bears that Name in the sacred Writings; we have been excited by
such great Examples to imitate, according to our Capacity, a like
Way of Writing concerning Manners.

--'Tis true, that in the Catalogue of _Theophrastus _ his Works,
preserv'd by [T]_Diogenes Laertius_, there is one Book under the Title
+peri paroimion+ concerning _Proverbs_: But that, probably, was nothing
but a Collection of some of those short, remarkable, useful, pithy
Sayings, which are of common Use in the World, and which every Nation
has peculiar to it self. However, tho' we cannot exactly tell, what the
Nature of that Performance was, because the Book is now lost, yet we are
certain, on the other Hand, that the Design of _Solomon_ was not to
write Characters, but to deliver some Maxims of Morality by way of
Advice and Instruction. So that for a profess'd Writer of Characters,
to take a Book of _Proverbs_ for a Model, is as inconsistent, as if any
one, who intended to compose an Oration, shou'd form his Diction upon a
Poem. _Proverbs_ consist of short Sentences, which contain in themselves
a full and compleat Sense; and therefore they do not essentially require
a strict Relation and Correspondence; but _Characteristic-Writings_
do require such a strict Relation and Correspondence. And Mr. _de la
Bruyere_ is so faulty in this Point, that almost every where he has no
visible Connexion. --_Characteristic-Writings_ ought, I own, to have a
lively Turn, and a Laconic Air: but there is a wide Difference between
using a concise Manner, and writing as many Aphorisms as
Sentences.

[S: Discours sur _Theophraste_.]
[T: Lib. 5. Segm. 45.]

How far Mr. _de la Bruyere_ is defective as to Propriety of Style and
Justness of Expression, I chuse to set down in the Words of one of his
[V]Countrymen, a very judicious Writer, and a better Judge in this
Matter than I pretend to be.

[V: Melanges de Vigneul Marville. _Edit. Rot._ T. 1. p. 336.]

Mr