The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-08
.e IFIom Gl.ason's Pictorial ] q.
G A NJ T p II R A S e S.
BY DR.. J. H.. ROBINSON.

s.lraCAM Mt PH HRAS ES.ss a
BY DR.. J. H. ROBINSON. -r g -:
1t is fact that cannot be disputed, thai,
cant phrases have become the order of
the day. The glish language literally
groans beneath these expletives, which
have grown out Of the vulgar taste. They
may be called moral excrescences, which
should be excised by the hand OF proprie-
ty. The mania for cant terms Of express
sion has spread far and wide, and infect
ed old and young, until there arebu very
few persons who can relate them SIM
pie event. without interlading the narration
with phrases that must shock every truly
refined mind. ~.I sse6 ugxsi u ~
This evil seems 10 be steadily on the
increase. and one cannot walk The streets
without hearing the most juvenile portion
of the community employing terms but ill
adapted to their childish lips. 1t is the
duty of the press. and of parents. to en-
deavor to check this growing appetite for
what is monstrous and unbecoming. Ele-
gance of language, ,.as well as elegance OF
manners, is necessary to entile any per-
son to the distinction Of "lady," or ''gen-
tleman." - s,-.51..-,
We admit that many many persons Of good
sense, and of very good taste in many re-
| spects. have been betrayed into the. habit;
but that furnishes no excuse for the con
linuance, and does. no, go 10 prove that
cant phrases are necessary or proper.
So far from assisting 10 express an idea,
| fI,o Of na nv
conversation. they actually have a contra
| ry effect. andrender the process more slow
and difficult They are like extra weight
placed upon horse intended for speed
| which weighs down and wearies the ami
NAL. The human speech should be noble
and disnifed, and worthy 10 express the
thoughts Of immortal beings. Low ideas
are always attached 10 cant phrases, which
must inevitably exercise. a degrading in
Auence upon the mind. Low wconce eptions
are as detrimental TO improvements, as wet
and heavy ,plumage to a, bird that would
take lofty fight. 9S 80 ,s''., S'.' !. '..''
Those who would be really refined.
fashionable and elegant. would do we'll to
remember that in allworks Of fiction truly
valuable. il is only the coarse and vulgar
who make use Of low. and inelegant phra-
ses. The really good, learned and polish
ed, are made 10 employ chaste, simple and
elevated language. in order that the con-
trast between the high and the low may be
made strikingly apparent. 1t is intended
by the author Of such productions, that
we should initiate the first, and shun the
slaring defects of the second. . ''z'>'S !
+ To illustrate the cant phraseology Of the
day, I'VE viii take the liberty to introduce
our readers to the Stout family, which
comprises four persons-Mr. and Mrs.
Timothy Stout, josephine and Napoleon
Stout. Josephine is old enough 10 excite
some attention among the beaux, and Ma
poleon has reached that period in his ex-
istence, when he thinks himself entitled to
..stand up dickey Of the most lofty pre-
tensions, bears grease and cigars; and
when his heart beats fast at<hearing the
footsteps of some young miss, Just eman-
cipated from short clothes. - ' -'@'}
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Stout had been
reared in an atmosphere of cant phrases;
and they had inhaled it until they were
fully and hopelessly impre gnated with the
malaria. Their courtship, even, was con.
ducted on cant principles; for. when Mr..
Stout asked his bride elect If fshe would
..hook on for life, ,"she promptly answered,
that '.she'd be blestif she didn 't!"e When
Josephine made her advent to- bless the
connubial state OF the couple, Mr.. Timothy
pronounced her a 'strump," and Mrs. Tim
othy declared, with equal earnestness. that
she "beat all creation DEE When Napoleon
made his debut upon the stage of life, his
male progenitor called him a "roarer," and
his maternal parent averred that lie was
Nearer - When both were old enoughto to
play about the house, one was i"upto
snuff" the other was ''brick." In their
juvenile disputes, Josephine branded Ma
poleon with the Infamous epthet of "small
potatoes;" the latter retorted smartly. and
with equal severity. that she "sdidn't know
|beans.'' !, When Napoleon swas obstinate
and obstreperous,7 his mother warned him
that lie ..would catch h;ngto which he final
| ly learned to reply, as acknowledgements
led, with a significant gesture swelhunder-
stood BY fast young men. '.over the left.
old woman;'' which unparalleled precoci-
| ~ pleased his father tossuctn aidegree, that,
/ in the iexuberance of admiration, he was
impelled to n1akesthe impressive remark
that Napoleon "was hard to beat;' this
4eneouraged the lad sos much thathe in.
stantly assumed an altitude ala Napoleon,
and mildly recommended the senior Stout
to "go II. fboots!'' sassas sos .hGea4H xnf
+ We feel that we cannot better illustrate
the subject before us, than bys subjoining
! the following conversa:ionswhich transpir-
led a few days since in the Stout family.
T .sIsdeclare TO goodness!se Ereaily think
Mr.: Rustle eisnaking upto cur Josephinsp'
said Mrs. Stout, after the gentleman re-
fsrred TO had passed the previous evening