ood Thought: And since every perfect
Stroke ought to be a distinct Representation of a particular Feature,
Matters shou'd be so order'd, that every perfect Sentence may contain
a perfect Thought, and every perfect Thought may represent one
Feature.

Many other Particulars might have been observ'd and recommended to
those, who wou'd attempt a Performance in this Kind, with some
Assurance of Success. The Laws of good Writing, in general, may and
ought to be applied to _Characteristic-Writing_, in particular, as far
as the Nature of it will bear. But to pursue these Things accurately,
wou'd carry me beyond the Bounds which the Title of this Work
prescribes to me. To shew the peculiar Nature; to point out
the principal Beauties, and to lay down the general Laws of
_Characteristic-Writing_, is all that was propos'd. Besides, I shall
have Occasion, in the Sequel of this Essay, to make some further
Observations relating to the Constitution of _Characteristic-Writings_;
which, to prevent Repetitions, I forbear mentioning here; but if the
Reader be religious in the Observance of a strict Method, he is at
full Liberty to alter the Situation of them, and to refer them to this
Section.

SECT. IV.

Mr. _de la Bruyere_ has given us a Translation of the Characters of
_Theophrastus_; to which he has annex'd what he calls the Characters
or Manners of the present Age. This Work was receiv'd with Applause,
and the Author gain'd by it a great Reputation amongst Men of polite
Literature. And if to make a great deal of Noise in the World, and to
undergo several Editions, were infallible Proofs of the intrinsick
Merit of a Book, Mr. _de la Bruyere_'s Performance would, upon both
these Accounts, sufficiently recommend itself to our Approbation.
--I confess, there are very considerable Beauties in this Piece: but
yet if it should be examin'd by those Rules of Characteristic-Writing,
which I have already mention'd, and which I take to be essential to
Performances in this Kind, I am afraid it would not be able, in every
Respect, to stand the Test of an impartial Examination.

I do not intend to enter upon an exact Critique of this Piece; the
intended Brevity of this Essay will permit me to take Notice of but
some few Particulars.--I have no Design or Desire to derogate from the
Reputation of the deceas'd Author; but this I take to be a standing
Rule in Critical Writings, as well as in judicious Reading, that we
ought not to be so st