"It has always been my practice to cast a long paragraph in a single mould, to try it by my ear, to deposit it in my memory, but to suspend the action of the pen till I had given the last polish to my work"

In this quote, Edward Gibbon, the respected 18th-century historian best understood for his critical work "The History of the Decrease and Fall of the Roman Empire", provides insight into his careful writing procedure. Gibbon's words show a disciplined and thoughtful technique to crafting his prose, emphasizing the value of cautious preparation and improvement before dedicating his thoughts to paper.

Starting with the phrase "It has always been my practice to cast a long paragraph in a single mould", Gibbon recommends that he approaches his paragraphs as cohesive, particular entities. This metaphor of casting in a "mould" suggests that he looks for to sculpt his ideas into an unified shape, guaranteeing that each paragraph holds a clear, distinct kind before it is expressed in writing.

He continues with "to attempt it by my ear", showing that the auditory quality of his writing is crucial. For Gibbon, the rhythm and circulation of the language are as crucial as the material itself. This acoustic consideration recommends his devotion to the musicality of language, making sure that his writing is not just helpful however also pleasing to the ear.

By specifying "to transfer it in my memory", Gibbon highlights his practice of mentally practicing his paragraphs before committing them to paper. This action highlights his reliance on memory and psychological organization, ensuring that his ideas are totally formed and polished internally.

Finally, when Gibbon speaks of suspending "the action of the pen till I had provided the last polish to my work", he highlights the intentional hold-up in physically writing until he is entirely pleased with his internal composition. This shows a level of patience and devotion to quality that recommends hard-earned proficiency, one borne of deep respect for his craft and his readers.

In general, Gibbon's quote reveals a writing process rooted in perseverance, accuracy, and auditory looks, highlighting the precise care and thoughtful objective behind his popular historic narratives. Through his disciplined methodology, he crafted prose that was both intellectually rigorous and creatively classy.