Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci.

It is to be done, I believe, in all languages.

A man by art and practice shall at least obtain such a masterhood over words as to express all that he thinks, in phrases that shall be easily understood.
In such a small space as can here be allowed, I cannot give instances to prove that this has been achieved by Thackeray.

Nor would instances prove the existence of the virtue, though instances might the absence.
The proof lies in the work of the man's life, and can only become plain to those who have read his writings.

I must refer readers to their own experiences, and ask them whether they have found themselves compelled to study passages in Thackeray in order that they might find a recondite meaning, or whether they have not been sure that they and the author have together understood all that there was to understand in the matter.
Have they run backward over the passages, and then gone on, not quite sure what the author has meant?
If not, then he has been easy and lucid.
We have not had it so easy with all modern writers, nor with all that are old.