Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-01-28
BAD SPliLLING.

Some years ago teacher presented him
self as candidate for the mastership of a
school, of which the salary was fifteen hun
dred dollars. His qualifications were deem
ed satisfactory in all respects except in spell
ling. On account of this deficiency he was
rejected. See, now, what ignorance in this
elementary branch coss him. In ten years
his salary would have amounted to fifteen
thousand dollars, throwing out of the calcu-
lation the increase which by good investment
might have accrued from interest. Besides,
the salary of the same school has since been
advanced to two thousand dollars But he
might have remained in the position twice
or three times ten years, as other teachers in
the same place have done, and that large a.
mount might, consequently, have been in
creased in proportion.
A gentleman of excellent reputation as a
scholar was proposed to I'll professorship in
one of our New England colleges, not many
years since; but in his correspondence, so
much bad spelling was found, that his name
was dropped, and an honorable position was
lost by him. The corporation of the college
concluded that, however, high his quali6ca-
tions as professor might be in general lit
erature, the orthography of his correspoI-
dence would not add much to the reputation
of the institution.
4 prominent manufacturer, in a neighbor-
ing town received a business letter from an
individual who had contracted to supply him
with large quantity of stock; but so badly
was it spelled, and so illegible the penman-
ship, that the receiver found it nearly i'm
possible to decipher the meaning. An i'm
mediate decision must be given in reply
and yet, so obscure was the expression that
it was impossible to determine what should
be the answer Delay would be sure to
bring loss; wrong decision would lead to
a still more serious result Perplexed with
uncertainty, throwing down the letter, he
declared that this should be the last business
transaction between him and the writer Of
such an illiterate communication for, said
he, Il am liable to lose more in this trade
alone, than I can make in lifetime with
him
\ gentleman who had been bookkeeper
some years, offered himself as candidate
for the Office of secretary to an insurance
company. Although man of estimable
character, possessed of many excellent quail
i6cations, he failed Of being elected because
he was in the habit of leaving words mis-
spelled on his book The position would
require him to attend to portion of the
correspondence of the Office, and it was
thought that incorrect spelling would not
insure the company very excellent reputa-
ton from their method of doing business,
whatever amount might be transacted.
Inability to spell correctly exposes one to
pecuniary loss. 1t is, moreover, an obstacle
to an advancement to honorable station
Such instances as those recited above are sat-
isfactory proofs; but that this defect in ones
education is productive of modification and
mischief, is illustrated by the following ac-
tual occurrence
A young teacher had received assistance
from a friend in obtaining school, and
wrote letter overaowing with gratitude to
his beuefactor, but closed it thus: please
except (acccpt? my thanks for your kind
favors in my behalf. f.'-Ilass. Teacher