CHAPTER IV.

Of Revision.

§§ 1-2. The three parts of revision are addition, excision, and alteration. It is best to lay aside for a time what has been written: an interval after each new birth will furnish the best safeguard against excessive parental fondness.

§§ 3-4. But time is not always at command. There must obviously be some limit to revision, especially on the part of the orator, who has to meet the needs of the moment. Not all changes are improvements: let the file polish the work, instead of rubbing it all away.