This quote eloquently explores the nature of communication across barriers and the inherent limitations imposed by distance and separation. It emphasizes a prevailing sense that spoken words must often pass through a partition—whether literal or metaphorical—highlighting the barriers that hinder true understanding. The phrase "Unaccountable is distance" points to the unpredictable and uncontrollable factors that affect the transmission of meaning over space and time. The idea that one must "impress through the partition in ever slight measure" suggests that communication, especially in constrained circumstances, requires subtlety and care. It reminds us that words are fragile and easily distorted when passing through divisions, whether physical walls or emotional divides. The mention of "the other signature, the other hearing, the other speech, the other grasp" underscores the subjective interpretation and individuality of each listener or receiver, which can distort or alter the intended message. This reflects on the complexity of empathy and the challenge of truly understanding another person's perspective when mediated by barriers. It prompts a reflection on the necessity of delicate communication, patience, and sensitivity to bridge gaps—between individuals, cultures, or even within oneself. In a broader sense, it resonates with themes of exile, diaspora, or separation as metaphors for societal or personal alienation, where words become a means to connect despite the uneven terrain of difference. Ultimately, the quote invites us to consider how much of our communication relies on faint impressions—slight measures—hoping to reach across partitions and find a semblance of understanding amidst the inevitable distance.