The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-22
An or.s...l L..esr Or w.ll..m p.nhnsy.
From the Literary World.

An Original Letter OF William Pinkney.
From the Literary Vorid.
In 1896 William Pinkney was selected by Presi-
dent Washington "a one OF the Commissioners on
the part Of the United States, under the seventh
article of Mr.. jays treaty with Great Britain, to
settle the claims for British spoliations Christie
pher Gore, afterwards Governor Of Massachusetts,
was the other American commissioner. DR.. John
Nicoll and DIR. John Anstey were the British COM
missioners; and the fifth (appointed by lot) was
Colonel John Trumbull. MIR. Pinkney arrived in
London in July, l796, and remained in England
until 1904. (August,) when he resumed his pro-
fessional pursuits in Maryland. The criticism in
the following letter is peculiarly interesting 1.-THE
precise and analytic pronunciation" of Pitt would
naturally sound strangely in the cars of any but
New Highlander, az, throughout the South, and to
extent in the middle States, the habit prevails
OF clipping" understanding distinctness Of
speech for a doubtful euphony.
ssLoNDoS, 9th February, 1877.
"MY DEAN SIR THANK youfor requesting to hear
from me, but did not intend TO wait for such re.
quest. / wished to feel little at home before
troubled you with letter. and stranger IN Lon
don continues a stranger for some time. Lind it
difficult even now TO. accommodate myself to
world in all respects new to me. My habits were
at variance with London life; and habits con-
stubborn things ] have, however, made virtue
Of necessity, and struggled with considerable in.
dustry to like what must submit to, whether
like il or not Still cannot look back upon my own
secratcd and swclled into importance the veriest
trides have left behind me. You have doubtless
experienced this enthusiastic Retrospect and know
with what soft and mellow colorng imagination
paints the past in situation like mine, and how
the visionary picture indsposes to the scenes Of
Z p "a q u /
& Upon the whole. however. (when ! can keep
down the picture drawing PropenAty, manage
whom il would DO want Of hbcraiity not to esteem.
have much to amuse and more to instruct me.
sour circle Of acquaintance is pleasant one,
and a. extensive as we wish II; and y ! DID not
should be afraid that did not deserve any. In
short, my time passes agreeably, though not 30 hap
ply as in Maryland. Ny fancy is more amused,
and ao, %asb wsiy
at il the misfortune of almost all travellers that
they ret out with expectations extravagant that
their qualification is absolutely impossible. This
was IN great measure my case, and the conse-
quence has been frequent disappointment.
al presume it IL to be attributed 70 my too sanguine
anticipation that have seen Mrs. Siddons in her
most favorite characters without emotion nppro-
baton; that have heard MIR. Fox on the most in
teresting and weighty subjects without discover
ing that he il an orator; that have heard Mr..
Grey on the same occasions without thinking him
above mediocrity; in short, that have seen and
heard much that was told should admire, with
out admiring it at all. Mr.. Pitt, indeed, has not
disappointed me. He Is truly wonderful man.
l never heard SO clear and masterly reasoner, or
a more effectual declaimer They have all one
fault, however; they do not understand the power
which may be given to the human voice by tones
and meditation. ar a2sasiaf a9 ast
elm consequence Of our public character you and
House of Commons-- . privilege of which you will
suppose do not omit 10 avail myself. could sit
there forever TO listen to Mr. Pitt. In argumenthc
10 beyond example correct and perspicuous, and in
defamation energetic and commanding. His
style might serve a. a model of classic elegance,
and has NO defect, unless il be that it il sometimes
overloaded with parenthcsis You have seen and
heard him. and therefore need not be told that his
manner 10 against him. His voice is full and I'M
pressive, and his articulation unusually distinct.
thought at first that his pronunciation too
precise and analytic. II il, in fact, sort OF spell
ing pronunciation that gives unnecessary body and
importance to every syllable; but am now faml-
iarized with this scholastic particularly and hard
iy feel its improperly. observe that he, well
az Mr. Fox, closes his periods with cadence un-
known in America. think it unmusical and
harsh. Il is. however, 50 completely fashionable
thut you meet with il even in Westminster Hall.
OF Mr.. Fox, think that he has vigorous mind,
but that he 10 speaker in spite Of nature and his
nc hs.rs tbe
House of Commons. Thought nothing Of him; but
am assured by good judges that al The bar he is
formidable and indeed eloquent, although he makes
no figure in Parliament. do not understand this,
but know one half Of tho fact to be true in MIR.
Erskine's case. - 81 t,UHNo. Ha54GN
ssMr. Secretary Dundas is mediocre; and in
cline to think that in America the art Of speaking
is more advanced than in my other country. We
have, it 10 true, swarms Of mere prafers, but we
have also more Il mean a greater number of able
speakers than are to be found here or elsewhere.
The bar in this country are sound lawyers, but
nothing more; in America they are something
more. aE isc.tIft t.ttssf
perhaps in all this l make my estimates a little
too partially, and with too much pride Of country
about me; but am writing to you, who have the
same prcjudices, and can make allowances for me.
"Your sincere friend,
.a ssr l"WM. PINKNEY."