Overprecise

For the consideration of ease, the unreasonablest of all others, and most unbecoming the nature of a man, declares it selfe at full the weakenes of the condition, having a longer traine of discomodites then any of the rest ; and deerely shall yow pay for yowr ease, when yow shall obtayne it by the industry of a wyfe; for I never found in all my observations, since I could deserne of any thing, but when soever the woman did governe, or semed to doe soe, the man grew straight into contempt; and although I know it is a very godly thing, to hold ones selfe constant and loving to a wyfe, indeede, yett withall have I often perceaved, to hold it overprecise in outward shew gives somme danger of an attribute of uxoriousnesse; nether did I ever know any man that was long constant to a mistresse, but lost of his reputation of a gallant and worthy man.

Lady Lyttelton is again the chief authority for this expression in its Glynnese use : and her application of it is a constant source of sonorous laughter on the part of the reverend person so often alluded to in this work. The Author conceives it is nothing but an arbitrary substitution of the word 'martyr' for 'slave' in colloquial English: and signifies that overprecise and punctilious attention to anything which is so often called 'being a slave to it'.

His dark gray eyes beamed with benevolence ; and he used to say himself, “Any one can see by the look of me that I am a good-natured sort of fellow.”’ The impression given by his countenance and bearing was that of an earnest, dignified man, perhaps a little overprecise. Though fond of a joke, he never indulged in immoderate laughter.