A series of conversational essays and addresses reflects on literary style as an expression of temperament, taste, and sustained craftsmanship rather than a teachable formula. The author considers readers’ shifting preferences, the personal voice evident in letters and speech, and the painstaking role of revision in producing effective prose. By invoking a range of authorities and examples, the essays contrast varieties of diction, rhythm, and tone, critique fashionable judgments, and argue for individuality and sensibility over rigid prescriptions while acknowledging the technical elements that underlie memorable writing.