The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-02-12

/
ScCOnd-ThG writer inltanced (FCb. o.
four lines from King Richard III. to show
the working Of the before quoted rule tot
pronunciation 30 strongly endorsed at first
by j. j., W, In giving these lines be
been taken simply to show how the rule
will work" and TO make all clear he quoted
the rule as laid down by J. G. A.
Now let US consider what j. L, W. has to
say concerning this. lie writes thus: ~
will now give his (fMembers') illustrations
Of instances where he says the triplet OF
anapest cannot be applied" &c. And he
goes on 10 Te.quOte the lines, placing the
accents where they should be, but which
the writer Of this article misplaced to show
how the words would b0 accented II pro.
nOnncetl according to the rule Of J. q. 4.
The writer was not considering how the
lines should be properly scanned, nor the
method Of use Of "Lriplet" or "cOmpres'
SlOn," concerning which he has not eG.
pressed no opinion, but simply pointing
out how the rule would work Ia actual
practice. lie took words where the iFregu.
lArity Of otherwise pure iambiC lines occur.
rcd, purpOBely 10 show that In such cases
the rule would fail. Lis plain meaning in
this case seems TO have been strangely miE.
Understood In calling the lines hs quoted
from Richard Ill CHS (Member's) illustril-
tons Of instances where be says the triplCt
or anapest cannot be applied" DC. The
tliplet Or Rnapest were not under discus.
sion aud were only mentioned incidentally
by the writer twice In his article.
Third. The writer stated Feb. Btll): ~
can easily understand that II may be held
good taste to change the accent Of certain
words where tho change has received the
sanction Of usage, and has been endorsed
by the custom OF notable readers and actors;
yet am unwilling 10 hear the rule laid
down that this Is The only correct way"
On this remark ]. l. w. proceeds 10
criticise, thus: an understand the con.
Guiding sentence rightly, II HiIirnH that
there ARE more correct ways than one 10
read! lfEO how Inanyy That there are
many ways to do anything ia admitted, but
among them all IA still Que certain way more
preferred than any other WY, and ia Of
course solely the correct way Of reading"
This criticism contains two points which
are surely open to argument. One Ia the
statement that "the preferred way Is Of
course solely the correct way" and the
other " the companion statement, "Therc
cannot be two correct ways Of reading"
While CllGCrfully willing to allow TO the
opinion Of J. l.. W. It's legitimate weight, II
Is still clear to the writer that such opinion
does not amount To proof unless supported
by logical argument or competent authority,
neither nj which, il these CnscS, does he
give. In regard to tie preferred way being
"Of course solely the correct way" II Is III
order TO Hsk, by whom preferred? n pre-.
fcrred by all, tliAt why would be untlOlbl.
edly correct but if0nly the weight Of pref.
ereHCe falls one way, though such CirGunl.
stance may he good reason for its adoption,
yet II will not absolutely establish the ulaim
Of the only correct way. As to the state.
ment, "TheFe cannot BE- two correct ways Of
reading" let us examine Il. The lexicO.
grapherS whose opinions hrc Oitenest con.
suited here are probably Webster and
Worcester. In order not to occupy loo
mnCh space, the writer Ia content to leave
the matter with them.
Examining their unabridged dictionaries
we find they frequently give the authority
Of weu.known scholars Of the English
language for various recommendations OF the
same word. Why should they do 40 II
there is but one correct way3 II Is clearly
their belief that, In numerous instances,
opinion In regard 10 pronunciation has
been 40 divided, by The authority Ot com.
potent scholars, that II cannot he Safely de.
clnred; there Is but OnB correct way. 80
thelt usage Is In describe The different pro.
nunciatiohs, In order that the reader my
choose which he prefers 10 use. They do
nOtdeclare TINT Ohe Of these RECOMMENDATIONS
Is correct and the rest consequently wrong,
but often quote the names Of those who
support each method, TO illustrlte this
practically we will open WprCCsIef's an.
abridged dictionary. On page 2 we find
the word "abatis;" two RECOMMENDATIONS are
given: "db.A.tis NJ ab.a.it." On pnge = IA
the word hbFeViatOf; four methods Ot prn.
runCintioh are given 10 this word, viz. Dab.
abbre.Ve.a.t6F, Rb.bfev.yd.lOP
and abbrete.a.tOf" IN these exam.
pies the italics Indicate The accented
RyllHblcs. These instances nre sufficient 10 |
show that Worcester gives the choice Of |
md does not establish oI,e AZ solely |
the correct way.
The ease Is the same with Noah Webster
As with Worcester; these two authorities
may not always agree upon the same pro. |
nltnciAtinh Tor a word, but they both agree |
III this 10 give to very great number NJ |
words varying RECOMMENDATIONS.
The writer rCifnins from the consilrrn.
ion Ola number Of points referred to In the
,tticle NJ !. H. W., not that they present
serious difficulties In the way If reply, but
hat they tlO not Immediately relate Ia the
natter upon which the discussion begun,
Ind thnt he 10 reluctant In further eSiend
his debate which he has thus taken up fof
he third time, not from any love NJ dispu.
alton, but solely Ia. point out that he tas
constantly presented II one why, In what
lie concelvea to 10 fair line oi argument,
md to answer any direct objections that
ave been urged against II.
Thus even under The temptation offered
" a startling theory Of Two great epic
,Ocnls wtiilen In prose, this aflicle wifi
icre conclude by expressing the hope That
IA presentation 81 facts, although perhaps
lnihletestihg, may tend To ditert The con.
liberation Of readers 10 The matter III ttU.
from which may Arise, by aid
4 additional light from other minds, 4 nat.
lfaclory method OF theory upon the subject,
MEMBER OF sHAEEsRRAAR CLUn.