The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-08
FRIDAY, JANUARY s, 1869.
Nowsp,.pers I'm the schools.

NewspLpers I'm the schools.
IN has been proposed in Chicago to Introduce
the daily journals into the schools, instead OF
that GLASS OF books styled "Iea1ers." We feel
Il always incumbent upon as to advocate
every means by which the cause of education
nan be assisted, but we really think that this
Is progress with "vengeancel" To discard
tbs time-honored models of pure, simple IAN
orseo which have been collated with care as
the best specimens of 'good English, ana 10
n,ho,i,uta for them the ''effusions" written IN
haste to meet pressing emergency Oy an
oyer-yearied editor, probably III the "ee
anna, hours" of morning, under the urgent
pressure of call for "copy," cannot but nave
an injurious effect upon the style oil tue riS.nS
generation. 1t is indeed cause lor "onuei
and pride that the multitudinous Journals Vi
our country are SO generally hileo WIN AMY
writtep articles: and that such are demanded
by the people and supplied in protuslon Is the
atropeest and best proof that our republican
form of government is performing its ap-
pointed work in educating and elegating the
entire community.
But the circumstances under which the
newspaper is written, and the purpose Tor
which 1t is intended, must not be forgotten.
A tleader' occasionally may be carefully con-
sidered and prepared, but the journal Is, as
its name denotes written in the day, for the
day, and the style OF authorship fitted for such
use is peculiar. Instantaneous effect must bs
produced, and facts must be marshalled and
arguments arranged in the method best adapted
to this aim. There is no time for the careful
erection OF line of argument fitted to the
essay or review, and especially no opportunity
for that careful revision 50 necessary to
prune the too fluent style OF its reduu-
danoies. 1t is perhaps safe to say that
the best English is not suited to the
journal, for il is the simplest, most direct,
least ornate and least colloquial, while the
style suited to the hasty perusal OF the busi-
ness man in the street Car must be emphatic
striking puugent, and perhaps even exagge-
rated. 1t must attract attention at ths mo
ment, and to do that it must adapt itself to the
need of that moment. The style Of the
London Times has been much admired, aud
strong effort has been clearly made to keep it
as near the well of English undefled as cir
cumstsnces will permit, aud yet "slang"
oreeps into its columns, and Is often most
useful and effective. A great event produces
word, or a great man strikes out phrase so
vivid, so full of meaning, that pages OF circum-
locution would not give the idea, and the
thought If expressed by the rules OF dictionary
and grammar, would lose half its weight; and
such words can often be effectively used III
conversation or in that current literature
which is but written conversation.
While availing ourselves of all these acoi
dental helps, it must be remembered that i'll
the style of English there is well-established
criterion, and that it has been best exempi6ed
by the old-time authors who figure so largely
in the 'Epglish Reader" Unconsciously We
still refer to them as our models, and the lead
ing authors of to-day approach most nearly
in simplicity and directness to the dictloa
Of Addison, Steele, and Goldsmith. Flash
and "Fern"ery amuse the moment, and the
humor of the Confederate Roads" im parts
an additional relish to our morning coffee, but
we do not want the minds of our children to
be fed entirely upon such diet.
The old-established system of scholastic
education seemed to ignore the practical duties
of the future life. 1t even rendered it's most
successful pupils unfit for any profession but
that of bookworm or a dominic Sampson.
The world is slowly learning that the youth
should be fitted for his future career by max
ing him as far as possible conversant with its
practical details, or at least by so accustominp
him to direct his thought and action to prsc.
tical uses as to prepare him in some degree for
any OF its requirements. The current history
of the time becomes necessarily component
part of this scheme, and its record the jour
pal, should assuredly not be ignored by the
teacher, but the style in which the local iten q
is dressed to "electrify" the community, o.
the political editorial "written up' to damo
lish an opponent, should not be- offered to tn,
rising generation as the best and only models
OF their native language.
a Needed law