Writers, like teeth, are divided into incisors and molars. Sydney Smith was a “molar.”

Bagehot’s quip classifies writers by the kind of work their prose performs. “Incisors” suggests writing that cuts—sharp, biting, polemical, or epigrammatic—while “molars” suggests writing that grinds and digests—solid, substantial, explanatory, and sustaining. Calling Sydney Smith a “molar” is a compliment to Smith’s capacity for robust, nourishing argument and practical moral sense rather than mere verbal sting. The metaphor also hints at Bagehot’s broader critical habit: evaluating style by its social function—how it shapes readers’ understanding—rather than by ornament alone.