The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-17
From the Literary World
Original Letter OF William PinIlnsy.


In 1896 William Pinkney selected by President
Washington one of The commissioners on the part OF
the United States under The 7h article OF Mr. Jays treaty
with Great Britain 10 settle the claims for British spo
atoms. Christopher Gore afterwards governor OF Mas
sachusetts, the other American commissioner DR..
John Nichol and DR. John Ansley were the British com
mssioners and the fifth (apPoined by lo was Colonel
John Trumbull. Mr.. Pnkney arrived in London in
July, 1896, and remained in England until 1904, (Augus
when he resumed his professional pursuits IN Mary land
The criticism in the following letter peculiarly interest
ing The precise and analytic pronunciation" OF Pitt
would naturally sound strangely ID the ears OF any but
New Enelanter, as throughout the South, and, TO
some extent, The middle States the habit prevails OF
clipping words-sacrliicing dlsiinctness OF speech for
doubtful euphony.
II is 10 us a matter of regret that the correspondent to
whom indebted for the following letter has not
communicated the of the distinguished Mary lander
TO whom il was addressed
IN original ner ofhe Hon " Pik"ytoa disttnguished
huydnd9 nspT before pn6itshed
LONDON, OH February, 1871
"MY DEAR thank yon for requesting to hear from
me- but old not intend to wait or such request wished
TO feel lue at home before tronbed you with letter,
and stranger IN London continues stranger for
time md II diihcut even no" 10 accommodate myself
to world in all respects new 10 me-. My habits were AT
early period. and long cherished. stubborn things
have, however. made virtue of necessity, aud struggled
whet6er like it or NOT sun cannot look back npon my
country without strong regrets Absenoe has
Grated sweled into importance the have
LETT behind me You have doubtless perienced This en-
huslastic retrospect and know with what soft nd ,rny
coorIng imagination paints the past in situation like
nne and how the visionary picture ndisposes 10 the
scenes Of the moment
Upon the whole, however, (when can keep down the
pcmrs.dIa~ing propensly,) manage better Than ex-
OF hheiauy not 10 esteem. | have much aIpuse and
more to instruct me.
Our circle Of acaua is plea SAINT one and as x
teusye wish II and il did find some friends
too, in su.h place London, should be afraid that
did deserve any Ia short, my passes ag,esab "
though happily in Maryland. My fancy Is more
amused aud my understanding more widely occl ped, but
the heart Is not so much interested.
out with expectations 50 extravsgant thai their qualification
case, and The consequence has been frequent dappoint
ment.
presume it is he attributed my too sauguine an
ttcpatIon hai have Mrs Slddons her
tie Characters without emotion approbaon that have
heard MI Fox on The most interesting and weghy subjects
thou discovering that he that have heard
Mr.. Grey occasions without thinking hun
above medtocrity short, that have and heard
much that told should admire without admirng it
at all Mr. PITT indeed, has not pointed He Is
truly a wonderful man. | heard clear and
tey Teasoner, more etec ua declaimer They have
all one fault however they do not understand the power
which may be gwen to the human voice by tones and med
uIatlon.
are allowed to SIT under tue gallery OF tue House OF Com
mons-a privilege OF which you will suppose do omit
TO avail myself | could sit there lore o Mr.
Put In argument he beyond example correct aud per
spicuous AMI IN decli energetic and commanding
His style might serve model OF classic elegance, aud
has no detect nhrs' pe tha sometimes overloaded
with PaIenthesis You have seen aud heard him. and
therefore need be told that his is against him
sually distinct
sud analytic IL II, IN TACT of spelling pronunca-
ton that gives unnecessary body and importance every
.yiable; but am famiiiafizei with this scholastic
particularly, aud hardly feel its impropnety. observe
that he, well as MIR Fox, closes his periods 9TH "A
dencs unknown in America. think 1t unhfusical aud
harsh IL IS however, 80 completely fashionable that
meet with even in Westminster Hall OF Nj Fox |
huk that he has vigorous mind but that he is speaker
~ fpfs of nature ard has nars lie is, notwithstanding
generally powerful In debate have heard Mr.. Efskine
the House OF Commons. thought nothing him
but am assured by good Judges that al the bar he iom
tahe AMI indeed eloquent although he makes figure
| IA I'm pft.l half
Of the fact to be true in Mr., Erskine's case.
"Mr. Secretary Dundas is mediocre and incline to
think that ia America the ~ ptdktng advanced
tban in any other county We have it is true,
mere praia', but we have also more q greater
number of able speakers Than be found else.
where. The bar ia this county sound lawyers, but
nothing more In America they something more
Perhaps ia all this make my estimates little par.
TALLY, and with much pride OF county about bu
writing you who have the preudices and
make allowances for me.
"Your sincere friend