The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-08-22
Letter from sngartown.
SuGARrowN, La, Aug. 10, 1885

SuGARTowN, La, Aug. 10, 1885.
Editor Lake Charles Echo:
/ am not altogether willing to ac-
cept the idea of Mr. Funchess in re-
ferring to my style of arrogance,
nevertheless, / deem it more expe-
dent to leave such points to the CON
sideration of generous public rather
than defend by explanation or reason;
yet feel somewhat inclined to make
a few suggestions upon such parts as
| consider worthy of journalistic re-
cognitions
If it we're my intention or desire To-
wage criticism in spirit of conquest,
as seems to have been alleged against
me, would certainly be at no loss TO
find plenty of opportunities; but the
very fact that | call for, and even re-
quest criticism myself, viewed in the
proper light, will disperse all such
ideas. What l disdain above all habits
of critic, is talking privately what
he has not the boldness to assert pub
licly. In such cases, which | have no
doubt are numerous, must believe
there is something in the shape of self
confidence wanting, and very likely if
they cherished such in Themselves, they
would be just that far ahead Of their
neighbors. So we would conclude,
from this point of view, that no criti-
cism should be rendered at all. am
strictly an advocate of Mr.. Funchess'
plan.
must confess that my intention
never was to say that verb agrees
with its object, nor could | be led to
believe the fact until | had examined
the very print. This was certainly a
misprnt, which frequently occurs in
newspapers, as all readers are aware,
and which should be allowed for. |
have several times noticed such in
editorials of the Echo. But this being
no point of controversy, as a very
limited knowledge of Grammar affords
clear understanding of the difference
between the two terms, it is not neces-
sary to dwell on it. Again, jntransi-
tive verbs never have objects. Suppose
some one would have criticised Mr..
Funchess in spelling, merely because
his name appeared in two different
forms. Then with propriety, could
we have spoken of arrogance.
No two writer's are exactly alike in
style. While Mr.. Spurgeon expresses
his ideas in very short sentences, as q
usual thing, John Adams was quite
different, one sentence of his covering
over two pages of an octave book. 1t
is not very difficult'to comprehend.
Mr.. Funchess has finally Ventured to
call the verb "agree," as used by me in
my inquiry, incorrect. This is what
have been waiting for, if such were
his honest opinion, and as he recon- {
mends me TO acknowledge asy error, |
call on him to make a self-application Z
Of the same principle.
In Rays Practical Arithmetic, a I
certain example reads thus: "If b |
spend 65 cents day, ETC., how much
will he save" A plural verb with a ,
singular subject, you saya | cannot G
agree. \
"If | were not Alexander, would I
pc Diogenesr' Another example of /
he same nature. An elaborate ex- S
'lanation of this principle will be found i
n Noble Buffers Practical Grammar, /
,ages SO and 65. i
Mr.. F. will please be careful not to t
lide through two holes at once, If
le use the same one every time, It n
will soon become very slick. So slide 1
way, my friend. 4
With sublime veneration, q