which remains can be used for realizing the thought conveyed. Hence,
the more time and attention it takes to receive and understand each
sentence, the less time and attention can be given to the contained
idea; and the less vividly will that idea be conceived.

4. How truly language must be regarded as a hindrance to thought,
though the necessary instrument of it, we shall clearly perceive
on remembering the comparative force with which simple ideas are
communicated by signs. To say, "Leave the room," is less expressive
than to point to the door. Placing a finger on the lips is more
forcible than whispering, "Do not speak." A beck of the hand is
better than, "Come here." No phrase can convey the idea of surprise
so vividly as opening the eyes and raising the eyebrows. A shrug of
the shoulders would lose much by translation into words. Again, it
may be remarked that when oral language is employed, the strongest
effects are produced by interjections, which condense entire
sentences into syllables. And in other cases, where custom allows
us to express thoughts by single words, as in _Beware, Heigho,
Fudge,_ much force would be lost by expanding them into specific
propositions. Hence, carrying out the metaphor that language is the
vehicle of thought, there seems reason to think that in all cases
the friction and inertia of the vehicle deduct from its efficiency;
and that in composition, the chief, if not the sole thing to be done,
is, to reduce this friction and inertia to the smallest possible
amount. Let us then inquire whether economy of the recipient's
attention is not the secret of effect, alike in the right choice
and collocation of words, in the best arrangement of clauses in
a sentence, in the proper order of its principal and subordinate
propositions, in the judicious use of simile, metaphor, and other
figures of speech, and even in the rhythmical sequence of syllables.