The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-04
PROFESSOR PRICE ON EDITORIALS.


We had occasion a few days ago to refer to
the remark of Professor Morilton, of Cam
bridge. to the effect that the press had done
more in recent years to hinder the develop
ment of pure literature than all other ad-
verse Influences taken together. The inJus-
tice Of this statement has called forth most
emphatic and convincing denial on the part Of
the leading journals of this country, and to
their comments little need now be added.
The latest attempt that has has been made
to sustain the correctness of Professor Morll-
tons remark is embodied in an effort to show
that Professor Thomas h. Price, of Columbia,
formerly of Randolph and Macon and the
University of Virginia, entertains the same
opinions as revealed IN his lectures TO his
classes Professor Price is one of the most
distinguished scholars now living in this coun-
try, his knowledge Of the ancient languages
as well as of his own native tongue being as
profound as it is exact, and his views on the
point involved in dispute are, therefore, en-
titled to the highest consideration.
A short time ago the New York Indepcn-
dent mentioned incidentally that the professor
of English in Columbia College had referred
his scholars to the newspaper editorial as the
typical example of writing without style"
This statement has very recently fallen under
the eve of Professor Price. and has led him
TO address a letter TO the editor of the indie
pendent which from the reputation of its
author. as we'll as from its intrinsic merits
will be found to be of exceptional interest.
II constitutes avery complete refutation of the
careless statement of Professor Morilton
which has attracted so much attention among
journalists.
After denying that he expressed the senti-
ments imputed TO him, Professor Price thus
writes:
style may be regarded either as some in
diyidual and characteristic way of saying what
one thinks. as when we speak of Carlyle's
style; or, in generalized form, as the best
and most skillful way of saying what one has
10 say. In either sense style belongs most
conspicuously TO the members of that highly
trained body of men who write the editorials
of our great newspapers. To deny this would
be. think, TO shut our eyes to facts that are
SclI-ehlutuI- tut many VI buOSo udNb,
in the one sense, a style that is so markedly
individual as TO be at once recognized. And
in the other sense, many of them have at
tanned TO indispensable skill in giving effec-
tive and artistic form TO their sentences and
paragraphs. 1t is from this latter point of
view that am in the habit of holding up the
mirror of our best newspaper writing TO the
admiration Of my classes
- 1t is of course often my duty to discuss
with my scholars questions of contemporary
usage; and there are 10 be found in some
parts of our newspapers uses of language
that, either from slanginess or from inaccu-
racy of diction, are to be censured. But, in
this matter Of style. l find in the writing of
our great editors an ever renewed delight.
Their sharp and rapid manner is often, in my
judgment, the perfection of real style. In
truth, TO state my own opinion frankly. there
is not in our American literature of to-day.
either IN books, or in magazines. or in pub
lished sermons or lectures or speeches, any
body OF written English so strong and effec-
tive, or even 80 correct, and. in thetrue sense,