elegantness

In the whole Discourse whereof, the book, to consider the substance, being but a pamphlet or scantling; the argument not so fine and affected, and yet the doctrine very profitable and necessary, he useth such a smooth and comely style and tieth his invention to such methodical and orderly proceedings, as the elegantness and neatness of his Latin phrase (being pure, perfect, and unmingled) maketh the matter, which of itself is very base and clubbish, to appear, shall I say, tolerable; nay, rather commendable and effectual.

1880 July 21 [1576], Abraham Fleming, “[Of English Dogs, the diversities, the names, the natures, and the properties. […]] To the well disposed Reader.”, in Edward Arber, An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature, volume III, London: […] E. Arber, […], pages 228–229

Yet (added ſhe and bluſht) to be exactly vertuous, and alſo prudent, I ought before I marry him, to ſacrifice unto my revenge all that remains of the perfidious Herminius. I never could do’t till now: but now both vertue and reaſon command it, and notwithſtanding all the elegantneſs of his letters, verſes, and tenderneſs towards me, I muſt deprive my ſelf of them for ever.

1678, [Madeleine de Scudéry (indicated as George de Scudery)], translated by J[ohn] Davies, Clelia, an Excellent New Romance: […], London: […] H. Herringman, D. Newman […], part III, book I, page 268, column 2

But Eloquentneſs ofte Faileth in its Intente at an Electione, an’ never more theyn it did at Hull, when Peter Acklam was a Candidate. For Fluentneſs o’ Speache an’ Elegantneſs o’ Style th’ Town did not hav’ a Candidate to match him—no not in th’ memorie o’ th’ eldest Inhabitor.

1705?, “Peter Acklam”, in William Anderson Gunnell, compiler, Sketches of Hull Celebrities: or Memoirs and Correspondence of Alderman Thomas Johnson, (Who Was Twice Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull,) and Four of His Lineal Descendants, from the Year 1640 to 1858. […], Kingston upon Hull: […] Walker & Brown, […] William Anderson Gunnell, […], published 1876, page 317

The most remarkable buildings are, the University, Exchange, a Monument to Nelson, the Custom House and the Bank; the last named building exceeds our Bank, in beauty of architecture, and elegantness of decoration.

1810 August 23, Andrew Reed, Memoirs of Francis Barnett, the Lefevre of “No Fiction:” and a Review of That Work. With Letters, and Authentic Documents., volume II, London: […] F. Barnett, […], published 1823, page 108

There were two editions of this printed in the same year, by Spira. The first of which is the first production of his press, and the earliest work printed at Venice; these are two of the best impressions of their time for elegantness, neatness, and regularity in the types and workmanship.

a. 1820, Robert Watt, “CICERO, Marcus Tullius”, in Bibliotheca Britannica; or A General Index to British and Foreign Literature, volume I (Authors), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Company, Edinburgh; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, & Green; and Hurst, Robinson & Co., London, published 1824, column 228 s