BOIL IT DOWN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 36, 28 December 1888, Page 20

BOIL IT DOWN.

Whatever you have to say, my friend, iVhether witty, or grave, or gay — Condense as much as ever you can, And say in the readiest way ; And whether you write on rnral affairs, Or particular things in town, Just a word of kindly advice, my friendBoil it down. For when you go spluttering over a page, When a couple of lines would do, Your butter is spread S3 much, you see, That tbe bread looks plainly througb. So wtea you have a story to tell, And would like a little renown, To make quite sure of your wish, my friend — Boil it down. When writing an article for the Press, Whether pro9e or verse, just try To utter your thoughts in the fewest words, And let it be crisp and dry ; And when it is finished and you suppose It is done up exactly brown, Just look it over once more, and then — Boil it down. For editors do not like to print An article lazily long ; And the general reader does not care For a couple of yards of song, So gather your wits in tbe smallest space, II you'd win the author's crown, And every time that you write, my friend — Boil it down.

— Exchange.