But it is one Thing to Abbreviate by Contracting[1], Another by Cutting off: And Businesse so handled at severall Sittings or Meetings goeth commonly backward and forward in an unsteady Manner. I knew a Wise Man that had it for a By-word[2], when he saw Men hasten to a conclusion; Stay a little, that we may make an End the sooner.
On the other side, True Dispatch is a rich Thing. For Time is the measure of Businesse, as Money is of Wares; And Businesse is bought at a deare Hand, where there is small dispatch. The Spartans and Spaniards have been noted to be of Small dispatch; Mi venga la Muerte de Spagna;—Let my Death come from Spaine; For then it will be sure to be long in comming.
Give good Hearing to those that give the first Information in Businesse; And rather direct them in the beginning then interrupt them in the continuance of their Speeches: for he that is put out of his owne Order will goe forward and backward, and be more tedious while he waits upon his Memory[3] then he could have been if he had gone on in his owne course. But sometimes it is scene that the Moderator</ref>chairman</ref> is more troublesome then the Actor[4].
Iterations[5] are commonly losse of Time: But there is no such Gaine of Time as to iterate often the State of the Question; For it chaseth away many a Frivolous Speech as it is comming forth. Long and Curious[6] Speeches are as fit for Dispatch as a Robe or Mantle with a long Traine is for Race. Prefaces, and Passages[7], and Excusations[8], and other Speeches of Reference to the Person, are great wasts of Time; And though they seeme to proceed of[9] Modesty, they are Bravery[10]. Yet beware of being too Materiall[11], when there is any Impediment or Obstruction in Men's Wils; For Pre-occupation of Minde[12] ever requireth preface of Speech, Like a Fomentation to make the unguent[13] enter.
