If the name here inscribed were a name of note --if the voice which speaks here were a voice of power -- we would entreat the young and brilliant talents on which depends the future lot of a literature for three ages so magnificent to reflect how important is their mission, and to preserve in their manner of writing the most worthy and severe habitudes. The Future -- let them think well of it -- belongs only to the masters of style. Without referring to the admirable works of antiquity, and confining ourselves to our National Literature, try to take from the thought of our great writers the expression which is peculiar to it. Take from Moliere his lively, ardent, frank, and amusing verse, so well made, so well turned, so well finished -- take from Lafontaine the simple and honest perfection of detail -- take from the phrase of Corneille the vigorous muscle, the strong cords, the beautiful forms of exaggerated vigor, which would have made of the old poet half Roman, half Spanish, the Michael Angelo of our tragedy if the elements of genius had mingled as much fancy as thought -- take from Racine that touch in his style which resembles Raphael, a touch chaste, harmonious, and repressed like that of Raphael, although of an inferior power -- quite as pure but less grand, as perfect though less sublime -- take from Fenelon, the man of his age who had the best sentiment of antiquity, that prose as melodious and severe as the verse of Racine of which it is the sister -- take from Bossuet the magnificent bearing of his periods --take from Boileau his grave and sober manner at times so admirably colored -- take from Pascal that original and mathematical style with so much appropriateness in the choice of words, and so much logic in every metaphor -- take from Voltaire that clear, solid, and indestructible prose, that crystal prose of Candide, and the Philosophical Dictionary -- take from all these great writers that simple attraction -- style: and of Voltaire, of Pascal, of Boileau, of Bossuet, of Fenelon, of Racine, of Corneille, of Lafontaine, of Moliere -- of all these masters what will remain? It is style which insures duration to the work, and fame to the poet. Beauty of expression embellishes beauty of thought, and preserves it -- It is at the same time an ornament and an armor. Style to the idea is like enamel to the tooth.
