Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-28
THE SPELLING SYMPOSIUM.
1t Was Continued Last Night Under tn
Auspices of the Archaeological society.

1t Was Continued Last Night Under the
Auspices of the AnthropoIogical Society.
The spelling symposium under the auspices
of the Anthropological Society was continued
last night in the lecture hall of the Columbian
University. An interested audience in at
tendance and seemed about equally divided be-
tween spelling reformers and conservatives.
Dr. Alexander Melville Bell addressed the
audience in behalf of spelling reform. He
spoke about the practical side of the movement
and the most feasible way to secure the adop-
ton OF the new system. One way is TO intro
duce it in the public schools and familarize
the coming generation with the principles of
fonstic spelling. Lay the foundation with
them and they will afterward attend to the rest
1t may be best at first not to attempt to f.
upon any regular system of fonetic spelling.
but let each person spell according to his own
idea of sound.
DR.. Bell referred TO Shakespeare's writings a.
good examples of fonetic spelling, and said that
photographic consistency was no part of Shakes
peare's practice or the general practice of his
day. Why should not we be allowed the same
liberty? Too much effort is wasted in learning
to spell; it is not worth the time given to it.
One should be chary in condemning anothers
bad spelling. for probable the othor has de-
voted great deal more of attention to its
study than the person who /criticises. 1t is the
obscrvant eye that makes good speller now.
THE PITMAN FoSKTIc SYSTEM.
DIR. Bell>described the Pitman fonetic system
as admirable. In the interests Of spelling re-
form children and foreigners should begin with
the Pitman system, and, in fact, need not go
beyond it save for literary purposes or higher
education. They would find in this system
sufficient vocabulary. and would not be both
cred with the intricacies Of English spelling.
None can be so blind as to fail to see the ne
cessity of lessening the labor of spelling.
The English language will ultimately be the
International language Of the world and the
mind must be cold, unsympathetic and mar
rowly insular that objects to the removal Of
the irrational disabilities attending the learn
ing Of our language
DR.. Bell referred to the economic features Of
the proposed reform. II is estimated that
fonetic spelling would make a saving of so per
cent In the time required to learn to read 1t
would effect a saving of II per cent in paper
and the labor of printing. 1t would save one
magazines and one volume in six of books.
Children are subjected to a wrong when they
are given an unnecessarily long task in order
to master the first instrument of learning. One
impeachment to photographic reform is preju-
dice There is no argument SO unanswerable
as prejudice. Time and the demands of civil
ization are the only elements that can over
come prejudice.
LEGISLATION ASKED.
Spelling reform can only be established by
some official means, A beginning might be
made by asking Congress to authorize the drop
ping of all useless letters in public printing.
Prof. Gallaudet opposed the complete To-
netization Of the language. Even if fonetic
spelling were adopted it would not stay that
way very long. The pronunciation is different
in various localities. The New Highlander. the
virginian and the westerner would each spell
the same word in different way if spelled
according to his pronunciation.
DIR. Gregory followed in argument for re-
form. Our present photography DISCUSSES
etymology and does not help it. Sooner or
later spelling reform will come. The same
and every old vehicle Of conveyance will bring
about the reform.
SAMPLES OF SPELLING REFORM.
DR.. Gregory distributed among the audience
some printed slips giving examples of spelling
reform.
One quotation from Irving was as follows
1.-The thots and feelings of Columbus in this
little space Of time must hav bin tumultuous
and intens- At length, in spite of evry difficulty
and danger, he bad accomplish his object.
The great mystery of the ocean was reveled
his theory which had bin the scot of sages, was
triumfantly establish; he had secured to him
self glory durabl rs the world ITSELF
This one is from Tennyson
yet doubt not thru the ages one increasing pur-
pos runs,
And the thots of men widend with the process Of
the suns.
What is tina. to him that reaps not harvest of his
youthful joys
T no the deep hart of existens beat forever like
boys,
Knos!eTe comes but wisdom fingers and 1 linger on
And the individual withers. and the world is more
and more"
Prof. Owen made a short but interesting adj
dress in favor of reform and predicted its early
coming. The symposium will be continued
next Tuesday evening at the Cosmos Club.