The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-07-03
The Scribe's Report.


received, which betrays such an entire
misconception of the principles upon
which the Scribe's work is done that we
hasten to correct it, lest some one else,
perchance, may be laboring under
similar delusion. The communication
is as follows:
"I do not propose to argue or dis
cuss anything that finds its way into the
Scribe's column, but l would like to
say few more words in regard to the
proposition. Each of us has a right to
his or her opinion, and l suppose it is
no harm if we do not all agree. Re-
ferring to the sentences quoted by the
Scribe, it may, perhaps, be allowable to
end them with proposition, but |
think it much more preferable to place
the proposition first, thus, OF whom
do you speak, instead of Whom do
you speak of and the other likewise.
If we allow such sentences as these
free play in our conversation many
others will claim the same right, and
instead of some exceptions there will
be nldny. What is the use of having
rule, if we do not follow il? l do not
believe in making exceptions to the
rule, unless we better the expression,
which, to my mind, is not done in the
above sentences. | would say, then,
construct your sentences so that the
last word will not be proposition. L
think we should guard our words as much
in familiar discourse as any, for by so do
ing we find ourselves better able to
cope with expert linguists and writers.
The expression, | might of gone was
written as intended. | have not only
heard it, but have seen it written. |
fear the Scribe's ears may have been
deceived and taken might ave gone
for the above. However it may be, the
Scribe has never noticed it particularly,
or, perhaps, lives in more grammatical
part of the world than l. Will the boys
and girls please keep their ears and
eyes open and report if they hear or see
the expression"
If this department were conducted
with view to imparting TO the boys
and girls the Scribe's personal opinions
on various matters it would be very
easy work for the Scribe and worth
very little to its readers. Each of us
has NOT =" right to his or her opin-
ion on matters where there are es-
tablished authorities, and part of the
work which the Scribe has undertaken
is to ascertain, for those who have not
access to them, what these standard
authorities say on various points con-
corning which questions are asked.
Usually we have given the authorities
on which our answers have been based g.,
but in case of the exception we cited
to the general rule for the position of
propositions it seemed hardly worth
while to take space to say that we
found it on page 1913 of Quackenbos'
English Grammar, together with the
examples we gave for illustration. 1t
is true this grammar may not be re-
garded by some as the highest authority
on aUgrammatical points; but it Glanced
to, be nearest at hand, and knowing
that it has been used for textbook in
some sections of the Hill Country, we
presumed its authority on this point
would be considered satisfactory.
Quackenbos gives this exception, how
ever, as applying to familiar style "
of discourse. Of course any one who
wishes to talk according to formal style
is at liberty to do so, but he must run
the risk of being considered pedantic
or affected, and for boys and girls to
do so would be called priggish.
If any one should chance to refer
back to the paragraph to which Cd"
alludes Dune 1O, the Scribe would
like to say that the phrase, " mere formal
DISCOURSE" which appears in it, should
have been more formal DISCOURSE"
By the way, a certain privileged
young person, who sometimes takes the
liberty of looking over the Scribe's
shoulder, asks whether the phrase,
much more preferable " in the fore.
going communication is correct.
Answers to the two questions q
June have been received from b
H. A." Peach-blow," and Cousin
Polly" Each of the answers to the
first question gives a somewhat differ
ent phase of the contrast between trag.
edy and comedy, so we will give the
three, in the order their names are men,
toned above.
"The difference between tragedy
and comedy is that tragedy is designed
to interest and instruct, to raise the
intellectual character above its usua
level, while comedy is designed solely
to amuse, without regard to instruction
or intellectual elevation"
" A tragedy is kind of drama which
represents the calamitous events Of
human life, while a comedy is of ligh
and more amusing character, repre-
senting the ludicrous side of lfe."
4" The difference between tragedy ant
comedy 10 APPLY expressed by Cole