or STYTHE, in the eye. See Crithe.

a word of various significations, originally deduced from stylus, a kind of bodkin wherewith the ancients wrote on plates of lead, or on wax, &c., and which is still used to write on ivory-leaves and paper prepared for that purpose, &c.

in dialling, denotes the gnomon or cock of a dial raised on the plane thereof to project a shadow.

in Botany. See Botany.

in language, is the peculiar manner in which a man expresses his conceptions. It is a picture of the ideas which rise in his mind, and of the order in which they are there produced.

The qualities of a good style may be ranked under two heads; perspicuity and ornament. It will readily be admitted, that perspicuity ought to be essentially connected with every kind of writing; and to attain it, attention must be paid, first to single words and phrases, and then to the construction of sentences. When considered with respect to words and phrases, it requires these three qualities; purity, propriety, and precision. When considered with regard to sentences, it requires a clear arrangement of the words and unity in the sense; to which, if strength and harmony be added, the style will become ornamented.

One of the most important directions to be observed by him who wishes to form a good style, is to acquire clear and precise ideas on the subject concerning which he is to write or speak. To this must be added frequency of composition, and an acquaintance with the style of the best authors. A servile imitation, however, of any author is carefully to be avoided; for he who copies, can hardly avoid copying faults as well as beauties. A style cannot be proper unless it be adapted to the subject, and likewise to the capacity of our hearers, if we are to speak in public. A simple, clear, and unadorned style, such as that of Swift, is fittest for intricate disquisition; a style elegant as Addison's, or impetuous like Johnson's, is most proper for fixing the attention on truths, which, though known, are too much neglected. We must not be inattentive to the ornaments of style, if we wish that our labours should be read and admired; but he is a contemptible writer, who looks not beyond the dress of language, who lays not the chief stress upon his matter, and who does not regard ornament as a secondary and inferior recommendation. For further observations on the different kinds of style, see Oratory, No. 99, &c.

in Jurisprudence, the particular form or manner of proceeding in each court of jurisdiction, agreeable to the rules and orders established therein; thus we say, the style of the court of Rome, of chancery, of parliament, of the privy-council, &c.

in Music, denotes a peculiar manner of singing, playing, or composing; being properly the manner that each person has of playing, singing, or teaching; which is very different both in respect of different geniuses, or countries, nations, and of the different matters, places, times, subjects, passions, expressions, &c. Thus we say, the style of Palestrina, of Lully, of Corelli, of Handel, &c.; the style of the Italians, French, Spaniards, &c.

Old Style, the Julian method of computing time, as the

New Style is the Gregorian method of computation. See Kalendar.