"Correspondences are like small clothes before the invention of suspenders; it is impossible to keep them up"

This quote by Sydney Smith is a metaphor comparing correspondences to little clothing prior to the innovation of suspenders. It is recommending that it is hard to keep up with correspondences, simply as it was tough to stay up to date with little clothes prior to the development of suspenders. The quote is implying that correspondences are challenging to keep and keep an eye on, just as it was hard to keep small clothes up without suspenders. It is suggesting that correspondences are easily forgotten or disregarded, just as small clothes were before the creation of suspenders. The quote is likewise recommending that correspondences are easily lost or forgotten, just as little clothes were prior to the invention of suspenders. The quote is a reminder to be mindful of correspondences and to make certain to stay up to date with them, simply as suspenders were developed to keep small clothes up.