In 1785 a contemporary noted that "the General is remarked for writing a most elegant letter," adding that, "like the famous Addison, his writing excells his speaking," and Jefferson said that "he wrote readily, rather diffusely, in an easy and correct style.
"The True George Washington [10th Ed.]"
Paul Leicester Ford
Love such as lovers felt, and that between parents and children; between light and plants; how the sunbeams kissed the ground, and how thereby the seeds sprouted forth-it was all so diffusely and learnedly expounded, that it was impossible for the stork-father to follow the discourse, much less to repeat it.
"The Sand-Hills of Jutland"
Hans Christian Andersen
But so awkwardly and diffusely is the Oracle reported to us that we cannot doubt that, whatever its original form was, this has been considerably expanded.
"Jeremiah"
George Adam Smith