Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-01-02
BAD SPELLING AND ITS CoNsEQUEN
CES

Some years ago teacher presented himself as
a candidate for the mastership OF a sch 'ol, of
which the salary was fifteen hundred dollars
His qualifications were deemod satisfactory in
all respects except in spelling. On account of
this deficiency ne was rejected. See, now, what
ignorance in this elementary branch cost him.
In ten years his salary would have amounted to
fifteen thousand dollars, throwing out of the cal
culation the increase which by good investment
might have accrued from interest. Besides, the
salary Of the same school has since been advan-
ced to two thousand dollars. But he nigh, have
remained in the position twice or three times
ten years, as other teachers in the same place
have done, and that large amount might, cOnse-
quenuy, have been increased in proportion.
gentle an OF excellent reputation as a scho-
ar was proposed TO ill 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 dropppd
and an honorable position was lost to him. The
corporation Of the college concluded that, how.
ever high his qualifications as professor might
be in general literature, The orthography of his
correspondence would not add much 10 the rep
utation of the institution.
A prominent manufacturer in n ncighboring
town, received business letter from An ndi-
vdual who had contracted to supply him with a
large quantity of stock but so bally was it
spelled and so illegible the penmanshp that the
receiver found it nearly impossible to decipher
the meaning An immediate decision must be
given in reply and yet so obscure was the ex
preston that it was impossible 10 determine what
should be the answer. Delay would be sure to
bring loss a wrmg decision would lead 10
still more serious result Perplexed with un.
certainly, throwing down the letter. he declared
that this should he the last business transaction
between him and the writer OF such an inerate
communication for, said he, II am liable to
lose more in this trade alone, than | can make
in lifetime Of business with him."
A gentleman who had been a bookkeeper for
some years, offered himself as a candidate for the
Office of secretary 10 an insurance company
Although a man of esiimabe character, possess
el Of many excellent qualifications, he failed of
being elected because he was in the habit of
leaving words misspelled on his books. The po-
stion would require him to attend to portion
of the correspondence of the office, and il was
thought that incorrect spelling would not insure
the company very excellent reputation from
their method of doing business, whatever amount
might be transacted
Inability TO spell correctly exposes one to pc.
cuniary loss. 1t is, moreover an obstacle to an
advancement 10 honorable station Such instan-
ccs as those rccited above are satisfactory proofs
but that this defect in ones education is produc-
tive OF modification and mischief, is illustrated
by the following actual occurrence
a young teacher had received assistance from
a friend IN obtaining a school, and wrote a letter
Overlooking with gratitude 10 his benefactor. bu,
closed 1t thus ID: please ercept (accept?) nv
thanks for your kind favors in my behalf"-
Mass. Teacher