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. _de la Bruyere_, qui n’a point de Style formé, ecrivant au
hazard, employe des Expressions outrées en des Choses tres communes;
& quand il en veut dire de plus relevées, il les affoiblit par des
Expressions basses, & fait ramper le fort avec le foible. Il tend
sans relache a un sublime qu’il ne connoit pas, & qu’il met tantot
dans les choses, tantot dans les Paroles, sans jamais attraper le
Point d’Unité, qui concilie les Paroles avec les choses, en quoi
consiste tout le Secret, & la Finesse de cette Art merveilleux.