The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-05-29

TOTHE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL. AS an eXpla
nation in regard to this poem is considered in order
| am happy to make it. 1t acds written by me, and
it is not, or at least | do not consider it to be,
translation from the German poem to which my
Ellsworth critic refers. That it was suggested by
that poem, and that parts of it are translations of
parts of that, is apparent to any who knows
the two, and that is piece familiar to most
persons who have any knowledge of the German
language it is probable that very many of its
readers have recognized its origin. When L sent
the poem to "The Independent" in which it was
published enclosed a note to the editor giving the
title and authorship Of the German poem, Il know
it as "Das Fischlein") and stating briefly its re-
lation to that, adding that he might make or omit
explanation as he fit. lie published it with
tany explanation, and with the copying of 1t into
other papers have had nothing to do have gener-
ally stated to those who have spoken to about it
the facts in regard to its origin. Among others
mentioned it to the editor of one, and think the
editors of both the two Rock land papers which
have copied it.
The criticism upon the conclusion of the poem
would be just If it assumed to be a translation.
But il one do not care to attempt translation of
piece is he precluded from making any other use of
it? Or to give the question broader scope, may
one express in any manner which suits him, what
comes TO him through his observation rejection
is suggested by the conversation of others, and
may he not make a similar use Of what comes to
him in connection with his reading. If so it is for
tunate that Shakespeare did not know it, or Eng
ish literature might have lost the dramas the plots
of which he took from his predecessors, and that
Goethe did not know it or German literature might
have wanted "Hermaun and Dorothea." Mr.. Ten
nyson is another offender in this line His "Dora
is built upon one of Mary Russell Mitford's sketch
es of English life, but do not remember ever sec
ing an edition of Ttnnyson in which it seemed to
be thought necessary to mention the fact. He
deals with the story in a similar manner to that in
which have dealt with "Da5 Fischlein." In the
sketch, where the farmer upon his little
grandchd where Dora had set him in the harvest
at once softened and he seeks the mother to ask
her forgiveness and takes her and the child to his
home. At this point the sketch as u sketch is per
feet but for his poem the poet larger drama
tie possibility Let the reader turn to it ana see
what it woull have lacked if he htd contcnted him
self with following the story Would my critic
say that Tennyson did not write "Dort" but only
aiaptel it, ant that hi, adaptation was faulty
story. If 50 trust he would not presume to finish
the poem by way of showing how it should have
been done.
If | hql thought | could make the most of the
German poem by translating it should have
attempted 4 translation, and if had succeeded
in making one suit my liking ami had published it,
! should Of course have published it as a transa-
ton. But thought could do better than that Be
sides the change in the ending there are, Think
two stnnzas in the first part of my poem which are
not traneihlona of anything in the German one.
OF course it is question of Judgment how far Il
translation may vary the meaning of the original,
and it is apparent that translation in verse must
vary it to some extent. thin, there Is more vari-
alton here than should have Thought it right to
make had ! been lrln@laling. St the main reason
why say it is not translation is that the signii-
cation OF the fable i. changed entirely and con
tend, and think have shown good reason for my
opinion that the use nave made of the model was
fully authorized. j.. t. sTARKErr
Talk with the Saloon Supporter.
BY +. y. ANDREWS.
one of the leading professors of chemistry in
leading medical college in this city. Stated be-
fore his class in a recent lecture: "Alcohol is
u poison )tisi as lhurh as anything else i a
poison Aholhef prominent physician sald to
Ms cIasS iaS' week. Lager beer contains twelve
per cent OF a'cOhol. lie also SaId, Men
drlhN la9er peer Tor The alcohol that Is IN It,
lou are a>Neu no" 10 put thesH thlee 1dct> 10
Setlef aiu rthttt Il moment on WhAt You are
DONG lof Noafsf1 Whtn y"u drink Z glass OF
peer, But Whatever inns does Tor 20" or does
hot uo' you are requested TO thlnk moment of
Wha' you are DOING Tor others every time YOU
lake glass.
lou are pullih% hNe cents INTO lhe pocket
OF lhe saioonkeepef. Wen. liiat Is not 50 bad
lof nun ana II may pe lhai ms lamlly need the
support YOU mus give them' II 50, thai Is llle
ohy possible good that can come OF such pat
foha@e al your hand as II seems to those who
nave G"s GohsiHerea lht matter. But Ill the
ntAl place, lei me supporter OF the saloon man
think a moment of what his beer drinking is
uoln9 io[ ms own IaMiiy. suppose, while he
: sitting mere laie at night IN such company 4.
the saloon draws together, we step inside the
door ol lhe place ne calls home. In most
cases Il mere Is wife and children; they will
help them on in life. The shabby rlothino 10
b,e gonn fn l"@ otho ,,,,rno ''ii' t1 wv