Writing, when properly managed (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation. As no one, who knows what he is about in good company, would venture to talk all; ----so no author, who understands the just boundaries of decorum and good-breeding, would presume to think all: The truest respect which you can pay to the reader's understanding, is to halve this matter amicably, and leave him something to imagine, in his turn, as well as yourself.
For my own part, I am eternally paying him compliments of this kind, and do all that lies in my power to keep his imagination as busy as my own.
'Tis his turn now; --I have given an ample description of Dr. _Slop's_ sad overthrow, and of his sad appearance in the back-parlour; --his imagination must now go on with it for a while.
Let the reader imagine then, that Dr. _Slop_ has told his tale--and in what words, and with what aggravations, his fancy chooses; --Let him suppose, that _Obadiah_ has told his tale also, and with such rueful looks of affected concern, as he thinks best will contrast the two figures as they stand by each other. ----Let him imagine, that my father has stepped upstairs to see my mother. --And, to conclude this work of imagination--let him imagine the doctor washed, --rubbed down, and condoled, --felicitated, --got into a pair of _Obadiah's_ pumps, stepping forwards towards the door, upon the very point of entering upon action.

Writing, when properly managed (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation. As no one in good company would venture to do all the talking; - so no author with good manners would presume to do all the thinking. The truest respect which you can pay to the reader's understanding, is to leave him something to imagine.
For my own part, I am eternally paying him compliments of this kind, and do all that lies in my power to keep his imagination busy.
Thus, I have given an ample description of Dr. Slop's sad overthrow, and his appearance in the back-parlour; his imagination must now go on with it for a while.
Let the reader imagine then, that Dr. Slop has told his tale - and in what words his fancy chooses. Let him suppose that Obadiah has told his tale also, with rueful looks of concern.
- Let him imagine that my father has stepped upstairs to see my mother. And, to conclude, - let him imagine the doctor washed, rubbed down, condoled, and got into a pair of Obadiah's pumps, stepping towards the door, on the very point of entering the action.
