New-York tribune., 1870-12-16

rreoter force Of emphsss chan png with the emotion
OF idea; the expression Is less mechancsi, noi
intellectual and indicates a greater earnes'peo' "
conviction more transparent candor OF ut'eiano0'
with moro confidence of assertion than love oi "oa
oession. This is remarkably the case WIN insnon-
women. With no lack of feminine softneSs III .nen
enunciation, they speak as IL they meant "nI' ~
said The words warble on then hps' ou. 'io,
vocal charm il not at the expense OF turce' ihey uo
not drop from the corners OF the mouth as Wy aoe
dent bnt are propelled boldly from the fronb WIN
fnu consciousness of their purpose
The innovations in the use of English words by
rnalisb writers of eminent name which Mr. White
condemns with most judicous censure, have mostly
sprung up within the last hundred years. Among
the strange expressions which he commepts on, that
of directly" in the sense of as as" Is shown
up without He unable to trace the course OF
this monstrosty but he pronounces II to be without
excuse or paliaton. Nor does he omit strong pro
test against its introduction by American writer's
Even his warm admiration of Hlr. Howels's charm
ing book, italian Journeys" cannot tempt him to
withhold his protest against the OF this expression
which he ascribes 10 the deleterons influences OF
foreign travel. Directly found the house in
habted," instead of Wbm i found the house in
habted y directly got out of our city gate" ID
stead Of As soon as got out of our city gate"
are examples of British oense against the English
language of which Mr. Howells is the first born and
bred American who has been guilty. The author
exhorts that fascinating writer 20 speedy repentance
although he administers the reproof in as hndlya
sprit as Izaak Walton recommends to his gentle
angler. The other examples quoted from Mr
Howells "a house or the street." instead of in the
street," written orer the signature" instead Of
"1nder the signature" Ito settle for wine"
instead of "to pay for wine,' are EVIL
IDENTIFY American, and not English, and had
their origin in the West, that fruitful nursery of
brave men and free speech. The Anglicisms of
drive" and ride" and "sick" and "ill," Mr.
White concusiyely proves 10 be contrary TO therue
English idiOm, but they have come to be so gener-
ally looked upon as q sign Of "gentlity" that they
will doubtless continue to hold their place in good
society.
We take leave of this interesting volume with
thanks to the author for the valuable service which
he has rendered to the English language in pointing
out the abuses To which it has been made subject,
and the errors which are Of common occurrence in
it's cooquial and literary use. 1t is easy to say tat
he might have made a compact and methOdlcal
treatise on the subject instead of this collection OF
desutory essays But he has accomplished what he
has aimed at in his own mind, without adopting the
plans or suggestions of others. He makes no pre-
tensions to being infallible although his tone is
often somewhat oracular. In many instances, he
may not be altogether free from faults of expression
which would afford tempting materials to critics as
vigilant and alert himself. His STYLE moreover,
though sinewy and vigorous, with pungent flavor
Of the old English SOIL and savOrng of an earlier
day OF literature than own, is often complicated
and sometimes obscure, without the flowing grace
which, with his rare literary accomplishments and
practice, he could easily command, hut which he has
doubtless preferred TO sacrifice to higher qualities
But with whatever defects Of execution his work is
substantial offering to the interests of good letters
in this country 1t will to raise the standard
of American scholarship and assist Onr writers TO
recognize their errors which is prime condition of
the attainment of excellence.