lity of the next extract. What is its style? Are
repetitions allowable? What then of variety? Point out contrasts of
words and phrases.

"What, then it is said, would you legislate in haste? Would
you legislate in times of great excitement concerning matters
of such deep concern? Yes, Sir, I would; and if any bad
consequences should follow from the haste and excitement, let
those be answerable who, when there was no need to haste,
when there existed no excitement, refused to listen to any
project of reform; nay, made it an argument against reform
that the public mind was not excited.... I allow that hasty
legislation is an evil. But reformers are compelled to
legislate fast, just because bigots will not legislate early.
Reformers are compelled to legislate in times of excitement,
because bigots will not legislate in times of tranquillity."

THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY: _On the Reform Bill_,
1832

10. Describe the diction of the next extract. Describe the prevailing
kind of sentences. Do you approve of these in such an instance?
Explain your answer. Does it remind you--in tone--of any other passage
already quoted in this book? What is your opinion of the style?

"There has been a change of government. It began two years
ago, when the House of Representatives became Democratic by a
decisive majority. It has now been completed. The Senate
about to assemble will also be Democratic. The offices of
President and Vice-President have been put into the hands of
Democrats. What does the change mean? That is the question
that is uppermost in our minds today. That is the question I
am going to try to answer in order, if I may, to interpret
the occasion.

"This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication.
Here muster, not the forces of party, but the forces of
humanity. Men's hearts wait upon us; men's lives hang in the
balance; men's hopes call upon us to say what we will do. Who
shall live up to the great trust? Who dares fail to try? I
summon all honest men, all patriotic, all forward-looking men
to my side. God helping me, I will not fail them, if they
will but counsel and sustain me."

WOODROW WILSON: _Inaugural_, 1918

11. Consider sentence length in the following: Which words are
significant? How is concreteness secured?

"Ours is a government of liberty by, through, and under th