Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-10-12

Criticism.

classical education. He processes a
knowledge Of Greek and Latin, and man
ifests his vast learning by occasionally
using words that common people cannot
understand. And to nurse his reputa-
tionf for great learning, he INDUCES in sharp
and learned criticisms upon the style of
those not so brilliant and profound as
himself.
He has frequently given US the benefit
of his vast attainment8 in this line, for
which we are duly thankful. In his last
number he again sheds his light upon us,
az follows:
"The old idea is not yet entirely done
away, for it still,rclnains among US, with
its malignant riruS. D
Queer. What kind Of beast is the II
rus Of an idea. Shades Of Reynolds and
Van Dyke, paint it, so that we can add
ocular proof to our internal imaginings."
Whether the figure or trope Of assum-
ing, for the sake Of emphasis, an old, en-
roneous, pernicious idea, notion, custom,
prejudice, or way Of thinking or believ-
ing, or whatever else it may be called, to
be a kind of disease, and therefore as be-
ing infectious, poisonous, or rirulent, and
as possessing Ui1us which innoculateS
public opinion, and perpctuates the evil
is allowable by the canonS of rhetoric. of
course we shall not pretend, after this
illumination.
Will our neighbor add to his courtesy
by telling us what is the meaning of the
first sentence Of his criticism, composed
as it is of the one word Queer? Had 1t
been our common English, query or
quPrc, word not English, but which
we sometimes see used for the same pur-
pose oy those who modestly will to OK
hibt their vast learning, we could. posi-
bly,, have understood it. As it is, how
ever, according to our bcnighted condi-
toni is neither ''nominative" nor licc-
tive" neither aifirms that any thing is
queer nor inquiries whether any thing is,
but simply stands, queer" So far as
we can see, squash, muSk-cdt, or Demo-
crdt, or any other sweet word may be
put in its place, and give the same mean
ing. VIII our neighbor enlighten us?
In the same number, the next article
following the one we have here quoted
is as follows:
"JoHN WILDIR has offered himself as
candidate for Register at the coming
elections. The three great qualifications
for such post are courtesy. ability, and
integrity. and Mr.. VS. chances of a nom
nation, or if he should be nominated Of
is to be stuck by lightning"
Though Mr.. Brande differs from us con
siderably on some political questions we
cannot think the county and local cleo
tlons have much TO do with politics"
This tells Of something we before did
not know. The Sheriff has only adyer-
tisod one general election to be held this
Fall; hut our neighbor here intmatcs that
Mr.. Wilder has several chances, if not
more, for he says he is a candidate sat
the coming electiOnS,"
Again, we see by this article that old
Samuel Kirkham did not teach the rules
of syntax correctly, for he said the verb
must agree with its nominative, but our
neighbor here SAYS, MIR VS.. chances of
nomination is several times less han
it is to be struck with lightning.
Again, we learn by the last clause Of
the article, that whether our neighbour
thinks the County and local elections
have or have not much to do with poll
tics, depends entirely on whether he diff
fers from, or agrees with. our accomplish
ed Register, Mr.. Brande on some pol;ti-
cal questions; for he says the reason why
he thinks they have not much to do with
politics is because he differs from him.
The agreeing or disagreeing of Mr.. BranGe
with our neighbour is therefore fraught
with momcntous consequence.
We see farther, by the second article
in the same number, where our neigh
Dor, in speaking of the Mu!lwanago Con-
vention, says, The members are repre-
scented TO have been more unanimous in
their decision, than any that has before
met in this district for years" another il
luStration tibet old Sam. kirkham knew
nothing about grammar, for he would
not have said, "mcmbcrs has met"
In the third article of the same num-
Der, our neighbor says:
ave hereby agree to yield the point
that II twenty persons III the course of
the year decide III favor of the telegraph
As he is so learned and we stand 50
much in need Of his instructions, will he
please tell us the meaning of the word
shat IN the sentence we have last quo
ted2 Fit was left out entirely we could
understand it, As it is, it is too much
for us.
In tie fourth article of the same num-
Der our neighbor says:
Now a bayou is one of the roots OF
the mouths Of the Mississippi. which
shoots Oft from The main channel of the
river
We might ask him, What kind o
looking beasts are the roots of mouthsn
hut we will not, lest we offend him. by
asking too much of him.
We regret that the great length Of thi: