Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-18
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
a BII OF CRITICISM.

In tho ENQUIRER of the 9th uIl, / observed in an adj
dress $40 the Citizens Of Virginia. signed George
Jones" a notice concerning" 1.-THE new Marshall Theatre,
to be established forthwith in the Capital Of the State.
The great design which is ~professed in the erection Of
this institution, with the pompous terms in which 1t
is announced, is calculated, it must be admitted, 10 at
tract some attention and seeing that amongst other
things. ''strict attention IS TO be gwen 10 literature, II
seemed reasonable to expect that a production from the
pen of The chief Patron and .nanager, the .Hagnus .7poVo
of such an institution, should bear the test Of a critical
examination.
And is this production 10 be considered as a specimen
of the style which the "lilerature' of this Institution is
to cultivate?-En,er with me, just a little, Mr.. Editor,
into q re yiew-a very slight review OF this composition.
"The Marshall Theatre having risen by The force OF
public opinion, it can only be sustained BY the CONT
nued appreciation of that power. and that emanatIng
from an e1er,ion on The part of the Lessee, 10 merit
such public approval.'-An awkward elipsis, IN the
third member Of the sentence rendering the meaning
obscure, and occasoniDg an ungraceful sound. The
writer means, | suppose, land by that which shall ema.
nate &c.
"Having been invited to this pleasing task by the com.
miitee of the Stockholders, and in so generous a man.
ner, together with the reception nightly given to my
"Reply" in the Capitol, induced me 10 accept" &c
"Having been invited" &c, 'induced me- Grossly
nrrammatical! No noun or pronoun in the sentence,
connected with the participle "having been invited
The meaning would be properly expressed thus: "Hav'
ing been invited" &c. 81 am induced-or have been
induced, 10 accept" &c. Again, in the same sentence:
HHayinQ been invited, &c, together Win u reCep-
ton nightly given to my Reply."-Two members OF a
sentence, strongly dlssimiar in construction, yoked to.
pe,her BY main strength; and then this mismatched pair
made 10 serve the awkward purpose of nominative case
to the verb 'sinduced. "-"llaving been invited" &c,
together with the reception &c, "induced me to &C.
cent a POSITION &c. What q sentence, 10 issue from
the temple Of a polio!
Once more: "And while the institution will be freely
opened to acknowledged talent domestic or foreign) IFS
doors shall be closed against the presumption of pseudo
popularity, or lin every CASEY Of injurious private repn.
tation."-Now here is a sentence which really seems 10
defy criticism. 1t seems that something very commend
able is designed 10 be here expressed but the precise
meaning of The sentence is beyond my penetration; and
must the refore let it stand unmolested.
Upon the whole, this pompous production reminds me
of an awkward Miss in her teens, who endeavors TO sup
ply the place Of a correct taste, by bows Of blazing IL
band, promiscuously stuck on the different parts OF her
dress.
| hope, Mr.. Editor, for the sake Of the cause of elite
nature in othe Capital of the State" you will give this
little eitiqus q place in your columns. II may prompt
MI. J. to be more cautious hereafter; or, he can have The
opportunity. | suppose, 10 defend his composition, II he
should think proper to do so. These bemishes in phi.
loloey il may be said, are mere peeeadiloes; but spots In
the Sun will be noticed.
No attempt will be made on my part, 10 write the
Prise .7ddreSs /" for the opening OF the new Theatre,
ill see how matters may operate. In the mean time,
| am, Respectfully, yours,