Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-01-26
A FIxE pEscnrrr,ox o. srrLr-The pari,

Z
A FIxE DESCRIPTION OF SrrLE-The Paris
correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer al
ades to thesclosing volumes Of ..The Consulate
and Empire. by N. Theirs, which has not yet
BEEN translated and publishedin this country.
He Translates the following passage from the
preface, which is one of The most admirable de-
scriPtions Of the qualities which constitute a
good narrative style that we recollect 10 have
rial:
II announced at once, he Bays, ''the essen
tial condition (pf stgle) which.is to be never eli
ther perceived or felt. Quite recently there have
been exhibited to the admiring eyes of'the pub
lie, among the chefs douYre Of the industry of
our times, specimenSof plate glass ofextraordi-
nary dimensions and purity, before which the
Venitans of the fifteenth century would stand
arrayed, through which are perceived, without
the slightest attenuation of contour or color the
immeasurable objects contained in the Palace of
the Exposition UnirerSale.n Ihaye heard the
wonder struck spectators, Ecrceiying only the
frame which surrounded the glass, ask what bu-
SinesS has the magnificent frame here? for they
had not noticed the glass Advised of their err
ror they were struck with admiration of this
glass of such wonderful purity. II, indeed, NC
see pane of glass, it is because there is fault
in it, for its merit is its absolute transparency
Such is the style in history. The moment that
| you perceive it, as it has no other object than
to make things visible, IL is faulty. But is this
perfect transparency OF style attained without
labor? Certainly not. IF the style is vulgar or
ambitious-ifi it offends by an unhappy .conso-
nance, Qor in history the names of men, ofpla-
ccsof battles are given in the national langua-
| ges, and no equivalent can be found for them,)
if the style offcnds any respect there is defect
in the glass. Simple clear; precise, easy, eleya-
1 ted at times when the great interests of human
1 Try are in question, this is what it should be,
and | am convinced that the finest and most
elaborate poetry does not cost greater pains than
a modest narrative paragraph, by which tech
meal detail is to be rendered without being 9th
er vulgar or offensive. But who will have all
| this patience, care and devotion, only to make
himself forgotten? Who9 The intelligence, for
it alone cOmprehends truly the part it has to act,
which is TO show everything, while il never
shows itself"
Punch gives the following take offer" of
the absurd attempts to make scientific prodigies
ofchildren at an age when they are much better
employed IMPLYING bind mans buff:
/ NINE RATIONAL RgcKEATIoSs.-Fort the .4nuse-
ment and Instruction eJ the Young and Others,
during WiRfer EceAings.-l. Takea tumbIcr
and nearly fill it with water. Then insert
4 lump Of sugar in the water and continue to stir
it. In a few minutes the water will become in
visible.
Q. Place candlestick, with lighted candle
init in the middle Of table Mahogany is
best, but deal will answer the purpose Place
an extinguisher upon the candle, and the apart
ment will be left in darkness, unless there are
other lights in it.
8. Take kitten Tone Of kindly disposition
is preferable and place it upon your lap Stroke
it gently for a few seconds and the animal will
be distinctly heard to purr. This experiment
may be varied by pinching his tail, in which case
twill spit and jump down.
4. Let the cinders be thrown upon the fire,
and then take a common hearth broom and care
fully sweep every particle of ashes and dust I'M
der the CRATE. Hang up the broom and sit
down, and pleasing display of tidiness will be
made
$. Take pair of scissors; the size is imma-
terial. Obtain piece Of white or brown paper
six inches long and yard and half across
Snap it in two. You will find that no exertion
ofstrength will join the severed parts together
again.
6. Place the palms of your hands together
crosswise, and, holding them somewhat loosely,
strike themon your knee. A sound will be pro
duced somewhat resembling the chink of money.
This is quite as good as having money itself,
which only leads to outlay and extravaganza
8. Take common ruled copy-book, and at
1.-THE top ofapage letaconfederate inscribe tBoun-
!! ty Commands ESteenl,' or some other moral
sentiment. Copy this on every line ofthe page,
and when you have done show it to the compa-
NY This experiment is not only interesting in
itself, but leads to improve the handwriting.
8. Take the tumbler Of water mentioned in
the first experiment, and show the company
that thegass is nearly full Drink it oil, and
instantly make them observe that the glass is
! entirely empty. The success of this feat de-
ponds upon its rapidly.
/ Q. Goto bed.