The New York herald., 1879-09-04
SUPERINTENDENT KIDDLE.


The Board OF Education held its first meeting
since the summer vacation yesterday afternoon and.
it be said at once. its result was dissppoint-
ment to some and surprise to all. It was gener-
ally understood that the "Kddle matter" as it Is
called would come mp before the Board and that
either Mr.. Kiddle would be reappointed to the Office
of City Superintendent his successor would be
elected. There was q full attendance Of tho men,
bers. many OF whom in anticipation OF an important
meeting. had come expressly to the city to attend.
President Wood was usual in the chair After
small amount of routine business had been trans
acted the president announced that emotions and
resolutions" were in order. Everybody listened
brcathlcssly for resolution concerning the city
superintendency, when Commissioner Wost
and movod to adjourn. Tho motion wos seconded
nays" The roll accordingly called eleven voting
in the Affirmative aud nine i'll tho negative. and the
Board stood adjourned before 1t fully realized the
situation. Commissioner Walker, true to his
nouncement at tho previous meeting OF the Board.
had resolution on the all-absorbing subject ready
but he knocked breathless" to use his own
preston, by the sudden turn In tho order OF busi
ness. 1t tho expressed impression among some
of tho members that the others afraid to face
the music" whenco the Adjournment. Commits
soner Wickhain who camc from Manchester. VT, to
be present. stated in answer to the inquiry OF
HERALD reporter that he not tho ''leader OF the
Kiddletes." as had been stated but that he was
ready to vote for the best man who was put up for
election. whoever he might be. He does not know
what he has done to have won the distinguished
Of loader. and says that he has taken more
than general interest the matter. Not tho least
disappointed OF those who attended the meeting
were tho spectators. who filled NIL the seats aud
crowded tho doorways Of the hail. 1t is thought
that special meeting will bo called to settle Mr..
kddle's case.
KIDDLE DEPENDS HIMSELF-HE DENOUNCES
TIE CRITICS AND INSISTS UPON THE
HEAVENLY ORIGIN OF HIS COMMUNICATIONS.
Those Of his friends who supposed that City Su-
pressed it, on his now faith will find by tho follow
ing lotter that such is not the caso In the July
number of Syibners Monthly Dr. Holland wrote somo-
what severely of Mr.. Riddles book Spirtualism.
To this article Mr.. Kiddle replies in letter which
will appear in the October number Of Scri6ner's:-
To THE EDITOR OF ScRIBNERs MONTHLY
Will you permit mo the privilege OF reply to tho
paper my book which you published in the July
number OF the Monhiyy
This book has received pee uliar treatment at tho
hands of critics-very naturally of course, and
tainly not unexpected by The history litera-
ture OF all writer's literary critics tho
and the most unreliable in their judgment and utter
ances. or my book you say, 1T has come and has
gone; but this statement only shows how little you
really know OF the OF the book thus far, and
how unable you are to judge of its future. The
class for whom you write may indeed reject it upon
your arbitrary dictum, but tens of thousands who
never read page OF Scslbner will peruse this book
with satisfaction, and "pass it around to be by
others. We're you to read the letters which have
fully and humbly. you would perceive your mistake
in the form of the participc used. and say not
"gone' but 'going.
Now my dear Sir will you seriously assert that
you have fairly reviewed this book? Ignoring every
claim set up and sought to be established in this
certainly remarkable volume. you have undertaken
to judge it exclusively from literary standpoint;
and from this standpoint you have msjudged
it-denounced it not only wrongfully and unjustly.
but in terms which should never have fallen from
your pen--in language which can show far more
deficient in rhetorical and grammatical proprety
than any which you can point out in my book. You
say:-"There is not one sentence in It, from begin
ming end to indicate heavenly origin. but every
thing to show that it is the offspring of
monpace and immature mind" that its literary
quality is ''simply and irredeemably wretched;"
that all the communicating intelligences "write
acty alike;' that all cutter the Same 'hfalutn'
pious slang; that it is simply impossible bosh: :"
that tho Communicating intelligence must be an
''unconscionabie lar;" &C., &c. Are these he
choice phrases and epthets-is this the pure
English that ''passes muster in a magazine oice?
To dsprove your sweeping assertions should
have to quote . large part OF the book; but will
cite u few passages that seem to me to indicate
heavenly origin:"-
I. From Bryant In my own home on earth was
for talents and : WHILE hss sx
ali actions Of life stand forth in extsrna
heed friends tha. il ths Judgment each day each
hour moment bear testimony to tho righteous work
ing Of your souls for Gods glory
Now, ask. does not that express most mpor-
tant. nay an awful truth. with IN appropriate in
junction? And could it have been said in much bot
ter or stronger language?
p IFrom J. Edmonds.l Think of life of sin to be gaxod
SATISFIED to ay
strive hide yourselves under your lies you nd
tho eyes blind thcre and tho picture 1t woro
which you present. Is ono of pleasure or disgust
In other words. spirit life you appear to your
self and to others just ss you are.
3 From Or. MahIenberg Earnestly ontreat you as
malice and hate practise the oac"ss
cepts Bible and to love God spirits delight in
chanting visions Of rapturous bliss.
Certainly this appears to have heavenly origin.
Poe Bishop James and several OF those from Judge
Edmonds for specimens of heavenly thoughts in
good English. II all this Is simply impossible
bosh, according to your taste and conception.
only say am sorry for such TASTE 10 my mind it
presents considerable divinity both IN thought and
style. ana many of the statements made are such as
could have emanated only from those having expo
rience in the world beyond our own.
Now. to the literary objections. These are, Of
course hard to meet since there is fixed standard
of literary poetical excellence. You say 'Byron
simply could not have written these lines and every
literary man IN the world knows It," What lines
do you to? 10 the following descriptive OF the
spirits In darkness2:--
Oh my friends in Gods love. whose haposs fsto
IL Is now 10 feel whom. alasl too late,
The sorrows that eou,c from sinful career,
TO gaze into that dark abyss Of woe where
While signing ana mourning; and lingering awhile
Oh dark Is the vision for them and for mo,
For, alas! too plainly my spirit can SEQ
All hope Iy tho nores having
Now. ask which is tho moro poctical. correct In
rhythm ana expression, ana the more beautiful III
imagery, the above or the following. from Byron =
poem, "Thc Island. descriptive OF tho shipwrecked
mariners?-
But 'tis not mine TO tell their talc OF grief,
Their constant peril and their scant relief;
s . ct Ssss %"S Sr mssn rsn q yn
The sapping famine. rendering scarce u
Known TO his mother Ia the skeleton.
The ills that lesson still their little store.
And starved even Hunger Ill ho wrung
In this brief article cannot discuss the points you
raise In regard to Shakespeare. Your dctum ut tho
close of the article shows so clearly your utter g.
norance (excusabie of course) of the whole subject
of which this book treats, that it only provokes
smile. and let il pass.
Now, Mr.. Editor, you speak very kindly of as
u and official. You accredit with far
moro ability than claim. We have been so circum-
stanced to know each other very we'll. Now. IL
does of appear TO you astonishing that such
'hard-headed, kecn-mnded possessor of common
sense you say tho editor OF this book is should