<<In fact, prolixity, too much detail, too much repetition (usually
unintentional and careless) are not characteristics of the writing of any
nation or of any time. They are eternally and universally the signs of a
writer who either doesn¹t trust his or her readers, or nervously fears that
his or her whole baroque house of cards will blow to pieces unless they
themselves micromanage every moment of the reader¹s attention.>>

Nahh.  It doesn't boil down to some eternal or universal fault.  
Victorians are characterized by prolixity.  Schizophrenics are 
characterized by prolixity.   

The concise and elliptical writer probably used to trust the reader more.  
No, omit that craven "probably."  

Henry James trusts his reader and is nervous, but not about his baroque 
house of cards.  Speaking of baroque, would that qualify as a 
characteristic of a nation or time?

Vic Perry       

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