There is nothing so repugnant to simple and upright souls as formalities; as such people have within themselves the consciousness of the good-will they bear to everybody, they neither plague themselves to be constantly displaying a sentiment that is habitual, nor to be constantly on the watch for it in others." This is analogous to his contempt for the pedants who object to the use of a hybrid word: "If it happens that a composite of a Greek word and a Latin word renders the idea as well, and is easier to pronounce or pleasanter to the ear than a compound of two Greek words and two Latin words, why prefer the latter ?" (_Hibrides_).

Some articles are simply diatribes against the enemy.

_Pardon_, for instance: "It needs much attention, much modesty, much skill to wring from others pardon for our superiority.

The men who have executed a foolish work, have never been able to pardon us for projecting a better.

We could have got from them pardon for a crime, but never for a good action." And so forth, with much magnanimous acrimony.