The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-06-07

1he 6iho 0 lmQster Abroa1.
COMPOSITION.


are not ashamed TO acknowledge it at all times
II an amalgamatiQn. The Greek with lis
.,roots ;" the Latin with its purity the German
With It's ''sweet accent" together with a great
manv "provincialisms'' enter into its formation.
Though we do not claim for the English Ian
guage purity and originality, yet we kno1C that
Il is continually undergoing changes which rob
il OF its lmpeFfections, and present 10 US means
Of communicating thoughts and ideas, at once
the most concise and beautiful IN the world
Compare, if you please, the miserable "twad-
de" during the reign Of William the Conquer or
with ITS present perfection and the contrast IS
most strikingIy beautiful. II the past has
wrought such prodIgIes in our language, what
bright prospects are there not for the future
How comfortable one feels when he is intro
duced Now 10 our subject. We love COM
postion,-- is, we ike good one written by
some one else. Nothing is more gratifying TO
us than TO pore over some able article OF prose,
written by one from whose pen drop :he words
like beautiful coins from the mint, and who
can handle It as skliuly and effeclualIy as a
Zouave can his musket Lately we have been
gratifed in this respect Of which presently
But we had almost forgotten TO announce-hope
the Editor won't-that the educational column
of this paper has been placed under our charge,
that we are TO serve up weekly dissertations
on the "great cause" and invite others, whose
"f0rte' runs in that direction, TO do so. How
onsr1us the task Fam would We invoke the
Prose's Muse 10 hover around Us, and the mantle
Of some saUant to tall upon US. And here we
entertain the fond hope that all readers will
indulge Us in any mistake that may occur while
we are treating the subject of composition
Now, really, We I'm too modest to say i
never studied the 'fno5le art'' itself, but know
that it is good thing and that E'eUerg feqcher'
should devote more or less of 'fhei5" time in
acquiring 1t so that 'fhey' could impagt the
same 10 their pupils and give them brighter
conception of the beauties OF the English lam
guage. Composition, according TO my narrow
way OF thinking, is ;he miscellaneous arrange
nent of ideas as represented by words either
written or printed. No reference need be had
as to which word shall come first, but a regu-
lar Brobdgnagan, Or mechanical style of COM
posing is the spirit OF the age. DCrng the
writing of an ordinary composition all suIez of
Grammar may be suspended; singular substan-
tiyes can Be used with plural predicates; all
iniunCtions Of such modern lnnovators as Smith.
Brown and Clark to The contrary notwllhstan-
ding. Webster'e or Worcester's orthographv
nay be followed, if you choose, but even these
photographers differ and the shortest method of
settling the controversy is, for each one 10 spell
words, in 'YheiF" own way. For,
"When Doctors disagree,
Disciples then are fres.'
As to punctuation, it requires very little atten-
ton. Punctuation marks were invented by a
person of short breath and they are used by
printers only to show where the reader should
pause and take breath so as not to become ex-
hausted few commas may be thrown 10,
here and there, foi variety, for TO abolish them
all at once would be too great an innovation
ElliptIcal, adverbial, prepositonal and subsan-
tive phrases and sentences may be placed msce-
laneously. Logic and 'sligures OF speech'' need
not be observed though the latter may occa-
sionaIly be s'rldicuious figure" Such are
the general and most important rules OF Com
position as observed BY modern writers. Some
persons may consider them fragrant innovations :;
all such are respectfully referred to the last ls-
sue ot the s'InqUirer Educational Column
For the benefit OF those who have not seen that
production / will make a few literal quotations,
pretacing them with the points which they are
designed 10 illustrate. Syntax :-F'lt would be
we'll for every person 10 ask himself or herself
whether they are preparing for the duties OF ne
responsible position IN which they desire To-
place Themselves" Grammar, Orthography
and Punctuation :-s'It is not necessary that
every teacher should attend school or devote
their time holy TO study although this is advan-
tageous when circumstances will allow Of it''
Incognito :-''They have attended school for
several winters, and have been through the
.4rlthmatic" Query were they hired by .h"
"uiRters 2" Tense 1.-THE finest scholars tha
hare eUer iiUea hare edH Gated themselves, &C.
Empha SIS, punctuation aud logical conclusion,
in dramatic style:-''They cannot earn then
board more than that they do the schools pos !
tive injury" And host of fothers 1'too te-
dous TO mention" This is a great age IN factl
progressive age. Education is flowing al
freely as the brooks from the mountain side /
and ignorance and superstition, twin relics OH
the dark ages, fee from II as darkness from theE
rays ofthe morning sun. But let this sufic,
for the present. Just word in your ear, Ed
ucationaI scribbIer In the positioa you haveF
assumed you should be very careful how youE
represent the educational interests of the coun-
ty. For, "lay not the hattering JUNCTION tos
your SOUP that the Argus-eyed teachers OIL
Bedford county will allow you to spout forhs
such crude lava from your well-hIled ~ crani
um, without dlSSectlng it and unmasking its de- /
Eormhy. "WEapl ia the solitude cf your own
originality you scrbble to he utter dispar-
agement Of all rules of grammar. Grumble not 7
II you are rebuked.