Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-02-18

Professor Denton in his last Lecture
expressed the opinion that the tim'
would come when the human race would
be homogeneous. lie also thought that
there would be only one language. II,
did not believe that it would be the Eng
lish language as it is spoken and written
at present; but it would be compo.
site language, made up OF whatever was
excellent in several languages.
Every one knows that the English
language has Undergone great changes
The history of English literature from the
earliest authors extant to the present
time constitutes a branch of study in
every liberal course of education. Those
who would like to see specimens of the
language as 1t was a thousand years
ago, will find them in Chambers Cyclic
pedia Of English Literature. Not more
than one hundred years ago there were
six different dialects spoken in England.
Professor Denton who was born in Dur
ham, England, and whose language now
is remarkably pure and classical, gave
specimens of the yernacular Of that To-
cality as it was spoken in the time of
his boyhood. He also gave illustrations
of the Newcastle and Lancashire dia-
lects : 1t was only now and then that an
American listener could catch a familiar
word. But this diversity is gradually
diminishing. As railroads have been
opened through every part of the coun-
try, and men have seen and heard each
others jargon, they have become asham-
ed of it, and are making efforts to assim-
ilate and improve. The Welch language
is disappearing from Wales, the Gaelic
from Scotland, and the Irish from Ire
land. We believe it is against the law
for schoolmasters to teach the Irish Ian
gnage in the Irish schools. If they do
it at all they do it by stealth. There
are those that continue to sing and shout
erin go bragh!" that wish to perpetu-
ate their ancient gibberish. This re-
minds us of one of the sayings Of the late
Sydney Smith. He said that instead of
spending their time in vociferating
-" Erin go bragh" they had better say
" Erin go bread and cheese, "" Erin go
breeches without holes" - intimating
that the policy of the government was
calculated to ameliorate the condition of
that people, by changing their modes of
living, and the Irish patriots ought to
have done with their sentimental nom
sense. A good many Irishmen take the
same common sense view; for while they
cherish the memory of 0 Cornell, and be-
lieye in "repale, they are free to admit
that dollar in the pocket is worth more
han the whole of it.
Prof d. remarked that when English
hen came to this country and saw with
what purity even the common people
speak, they were indnced to make efforts
o lay aside their provincialisms. t,
We recollect seeing it stated several
ISoiS "SoO sAao WHICH, Nouu VcUSGtT Was
subscribers to his great Die
ionary he Xlsi tfasaa eF1 Of Ring George /
ne Fourth at the head of the list. His
Majesty remarked to DR.. Webster that III
yer the photography and pronouncia-
ion of the English Language were re-
iuced to uniform standard it must be
lone by Americans. Each locality in ;
England was partial to it's own provin- (
:ialisms, and would not yield to anoth- I
r, but might compromise upon an {
basis.
The object of the lecturer was to indi-
ate some of the ways in which language
constantly undergoing change. 1t is
Ike an evergreen tree which is constant
= shedding off somsofits old leaves and T
ssuming new ones. Old words become .
bsolete, and new ones are introduced. !
One hundred years ago there were t
welve million dialects. At the present
ime there are seventy millions of people
Inside Of England and the United States
hat speak the English language. This !
anguage is gaining over every other,
nd while we cannot expect that this
I'LL be the universal language, we have g g
eason to believe that the English ele 3
lent will predominant. .9s
Treatment Of Soldiers.
The President has issued call for five
undred thousand men, and the country I;
xpects patriotic response to the call Il
efore the 10th of next month, and will h
OF, we trust be disappointed. But it .
as occurred to US that men would more : :