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It is known [in general] that how the compilers of our Statute Laws
are immemorial possession of giving number of times as many
words as can are be of any use; that Ideas are regularly introduced
for which there is no place, and that if for every three words
there be given one an Idea it is good measure.
Many clauses may be compared to [resemble] those foetus's which are
sometimes seen to come into the world with a vast mass of fungous
excrescence where one expects a Brain.
The multitude of tautological & excrementitious words, into which
as into a perpetual mist each particle of Sence is plunged, in—
form a kind of Atmosphere, through which many eyes can
never bring themselves to penetrate at all; nor the most piercing
& most exercised without a disgustful nausea
& fatigue against which
scarce any habit can fortify. [from which scarce any habit
can dispense.]
As among natural objects, many by reason of their minuteness
require a magnifying apparatus, to render them apparent to
the eye; of these on the contrary (which surely are not natural)
many require to be diminished for the same purpose; they are
like objects which already magnified beyond that proportion in which
they can be distinctly seen, require a new apparatus to be applied
to contract them.
Not only the whole is dilated beyond every possible field of simultaneous
observation: but each part, taken by itself, carries
a [confused] appearance of such confusion as if not to be bannished corrected
but by such means as can [effect an uniform diminution] reduce it
to it's former compass.
I am forced to dwell so much the longer upon these particulars
than the obviousness of them would seem to require, because
to judge from their works one would be apt to suppose that
it has never entered into the conceptions of our Legislators that
words could be too many: that discourse was susceptible there was such a quality
in discourse as Brevity, at least that it was desireable; that
one in their situation had any more concern to give themselves
about a Law than to see that it contained his sence upon
the matter, was full enough, & was enter'd in due form upon
the Roll.
Let us not therefore [with the view] for the purposes either of —
praise or censure infer the amplitude of the provisions made,
by the quantity of the paper which they have been made to cover.
To every System of Laws there is indeed on the side of diminution
a minimum within which they cannot be expressed;
but on the side of encrease their limits under any degree of
amplitude are equally indefinite.
COMPOSITION.B Stat. singly as a discourse. Prelud. Yes. [BR| | ] basity. enormity of.