The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-16

lowed a freedom or cnolce denied 10 the
rest Of us. she might have been a Russian,
French or Turk or PrussiaD, or perhaps
(think OF itg Italian" As patriotic Amer
leans we may think that there was one
possible better choice, but at least he
brought himself into that noble heritage
which we also enjoy, the English tongue.
We take it as a matter OF course, Ike
the air and the sunshine and the dew upon
the grass, but IL IS a great thing 70 be
born of the English speaking race. Great
men of deyout minds, OF broad culture and
classical learning have felt cause TO be
thankful for it. 1t is true that we COM
mon folk sometimes complain that We
cannot find words 10 express our thoughts
and feelings, but it suficed for Milton and
Shakespeare for Scott and Dickens and
George Eliot for Hawthorne and Emerson
and All the line Of genius who have made
the English literature probably the finest
in the history OF the world.
Some scholars even maintain that
it is superfiaous labor 20 construct new
language like Volapuk, since English IS
destined TO ultimately become the common
language of the civilized world.
Now. ladies, on this bright day IN June.
the month of roses, when the air Is hlled
with the fragrance OF flowers and the song
of birds. YOU do not wish me-more. you
would not bear with me If I tried 20 set
out any of those principles OF philology
which are the result or modern research
into the origin and growth OF language;
but [ do suggest that we all read little
from Prof Max Muller's lectures on the
science of language He makes very de-
lighJfnl reading or IL, NJ 20 answer
as change from the usual summer novel
on hot afternoon. We might not get
much out Of it, but enough 10 give Us
new feeling of the beauty and dignity of
language. the necessity OF preserving each
tongue in its purity and our own personal
responsibility to use the best English we
know or can know. We Chautauquans
are not afraid Of the little learning
which is accounted SO dangerous thing.
if we receive it humbly, treasure It care
fully, and give it out modestly only when
occasion requires
Our studies duringt The year have been of
the most practical sort, Intended 10 teach
Us now TO use our mother tongue
simply, clearly and effectively. Il Is not
necessary to insist upon what We all fully
understand, that it is the thing we say and
not now we say it. that is OF supreme i'm
portance. But the effective person does
study manner as well as matter Ex-
preston is the dress of thought" Milton
says in an apostrophe to language:
81 have some naked thoughts that roam about
And loudly knock to have their passage cut,
And weary OF this place, do Only stay
TIL thou has decked them in thy best array
Could any figure of speech appeal more
keenly to a woman. She knows what
clothes do for the person, and she
has small discernmen1 who has
not found out that very moderate personal
charms, combined with tasteful dress, viii
produce q more attractive result than
great beauty disguised in unbecoming and
unsuitable garments. Il may be permitted
TO add, in this presence, that this Is one OF
the dispensations of providence which
make life bearable and even interesting 10
the average woman
Perhaps some of you viii sympathize
with me when confess that our author,
Hill. had a somewhat chilling aud de
pressing effect upon me. His ieers at the
use OF intense and exaggerated expressions
l felt almost 10 be personal thrusts. How
whitening 10 be told to look
over what you have written and when
you come to what you consider au espec-
tally fine passage. cut it out, And the
djectives-leave out all the adjectives.
Indeedl Would he entirely seal up wo-
mans mouth? Why, l was reduced TO
that condition that my intellectual con-
science Dinched me when l did but men
ton TO a passing neighbor that IL was a
fine day / further reflected that my
neighbor being a normal person, possessed
of all the senses, knew the state OF the
weather and the quality Of the day as well
4,
superfiuous, l walked suddenly into the
house re ,olved TO talk no more. How
long that state of mind possessed me, each
woman may judge.
With what gratitude / turned
to Professor Mimic of the Chautauquan.
He concludes that adjectives. adverbs and
modifying clauses make up the individu-
atty of language; that speech reduced to
it's lowest terms Of noun and verb would
lack the charm of personality, and here IN
the discerning person may think he finds
the secret of woman's love OF ornate
speech With her it IS not so much, mark
what | say. as it is, ''rememb Der II IS |, who
say it.
And, truly this chaste elegance Of style
so desirable in the main would become
monotonous. Think of an audience OF
women decked out 10 quaker grey and the
mems colors black and white. How rest
full to the eye and also. after a while, how
tiresome. Imagine the descent upon this
great crowd of a bright eyed maiden with
well curled bang and peoples in her nat.
Dear sister ChautauQuaps, you know
am making no plea for looseness and
careiessness and extravaganza in speech.
We ali know the sins we daily commit
against ''Our English aud we mean 10
mend our ways. But since That con
summation deyoutly to be wished IS not
yet accomplished, permit me 20 wish you
an awfully lovely, perfectly elegant sum
meE