Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-01-20

Care not for feeling. pass your proper jest,
And stand a critic, hated yet carressed.
And a moment ago | hesitated to
venture my little communication under
this thread bare title. The title that
has stood for half century, to my
own knowledge, as a grand old pillar
for the climbing, fragrant vines of
genius. New Providence, head
ing grown hoary under usage of the
erudite, handled hitherto by the skill
full touch of the literate aud sought
eagerly by eyes bright with expectancy.
A title venerable for long standing,
pleasing public items, and an ever
palpable spice of understanding. But
now, [, Hal Glen, constant reader of
the CHRONICLE for near thirty years,
hesitate to place my letter under this
time-honored title. Hesitate in frank
fear that it will be passed over, with
curl of the lip, by all rational readers
of the CHRONICLE. Standing as | do
now, on the sunset side of a century,
I feel that Hal Glen can criticise the
communications of the last few weeks
without fear Of having alleged against
him the unjust accusations of casting
invectives upon genius.
New Providence correspondence"
has by years of constant toll, fidelity
to facts, and writer's of merit, built for
itself lofty tower, known over the
land to readers of the CHRONICLE. 1t
was once Ambitions airy hall, the
dome of Thought. and the palace Of
the Soul. 1t reared its venera BILE
head, me-stained, ivy-twined and
crowned with mighty memories. But
now, desecrated, defaced and deserted
by ancient architects, new aspirants
step in to assume their dignity, and Of
this am about to speak. For the last
three weeks we have been treated to
wonderful productions under the head
ing of providence Items" Golden
webs of thought, glimpses of glowing
ideas, land fine, fairy fancies have
fitted from the pens of gifted "Cres-
emit" from the imaginative Joyce
lyric" and from simpering, love-sick
Seventeen. These wisdom burdened
youths have driven back our right
honorable predecessors, and are now
having an interesting game of hide
and seek" in the dusty corridors that
they built by toiling minds and gra
cious intellects. The supreme moth
ings" they have treated the public to
for the past few weeks are simply dis
gushing. If they imagine their love
episodes would interest the masses,
why give them in broken doses weekly?
Why not give a public theatrical, and
enact their lovely firtations for our
benefit? By having so done you would
have avoided the unnecessary tramp
around a musical Aunt, warehouses
and Brandons.
This last letter from Seventeen"
comes to US with such a breath Of
freshness, such a facile air of origi-
nality, such freedom from inconsistent
cies, that even the steady old brain of
Hal Glen is agitated She acquainted
us with the startling intelligence of
George Rossington's return. Some
thing l presume she thought we
doubted, as coming from the pen Of
"Cresent." Again she innocently tells
US Jimmie Oldham has been over to
see her. Gallant boy that. And then
consistently speaks of his requesting
his Aunt to play Downfall of Paris, !"
at the close of which he calls for
university reels" We presume be-
tween the spasmodic efforts to resist
Mammals soothing syrup" the young
writer forgot that they were one and
the same. She seems determined to
impress upon US the knowledge that
she is acquainted with Mr.. Brandon,
and his charms we dare not doubt, as
he waves the palm of king of hearts. J"
We have never met the Tobacco Leaf
slip" but as a warning from Age to
Youth we would say to you steer
clear" till Loves wings are clipped. "
And here in connection allow me to
congratulate 81. J. D., "Crayon" and
Il. D. A" on their graceful retreat
before this conquering battalion. [
honor your judgment in retiring while
the glimmer of Fame" still aided
you. Before this lettered frost you
would have withered, and
Like night-cIouds drifting over
Meads of deWY, scarlet clover,
darkness would have filed the urn.
And now for Seventeen" | have a
parting word. For one so fragile as
yourself | would suggest five hundred
pills for the quieting of nerves; ODE
dience to your Mothers commands
one years rigid application to the
study of Logic; pair of eye glasses
to read mems hearts, to be worn until
twenty; and five years devotion to
Pantheistic Religion. After an OBJ
servance of said essentials, you may be
able to write for the CHRONICLE. To
"Cresent" we wonld suggest rest; after
which a journey to the Fee Jee Is
lands, when he, after years of right
endeavor, may wax into splendid per-
lection, and fade after months glory.
Here standing as | am on the sunny
slope of decline, I glance over the
summit and see you toiling at the base
on the other side, and my suggestions
hope will be needed.
Now borrowing a scheme, will say,
any one answering this under an as
sumed name | will seorn to reply to.
Nom-de-plumes like returning boards
are humbugs. Anybody veraciously
armed will not fear to meet me under
an acknowledged banner, and to those
to who are not, we extend the gossip
column for their petty arguments and
unsubstantiated items, and shout
Behold! in various throngs the scribbling
crew,