The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-02
A HANDSOME STREET DRESS.
regard to-" If you like. Nevei
CARDS to-"

May I be pardoned for offering 4
kindly criticism on what you said in
late issue Of your paper? Therein
read:
Custom and tradition warn us against
criticisms OF certain time-honored
usages of words. You would not dare
to take Shakespeare to task for saying
the most unkindest cut of all
Is 1t not an undisputed fast that we
habitually yield altogether too much
consideration to custom and tradition?
Is not there sufficient of simple truth
and right in both to prevent what, there
in. is worth preserving. from being lost
to humanity?
What is gained in any possible way by
the preservation Of any error, great or
small? What is ever lost by its cor
rection? It seems to me this unnec-
essary reverence Is carried to excess
The great desideratum is Improvement.
and I am unable to see wherein any i'm
prpvement is had by the retention of such
errors even the one mentioned by you
-Shakespeares most unkindest cut of
ALL
Shakespeare was only human, after all.
and many changes have been made in
the forms of expression used by him.
to the manifest advantage and benefit of
those who read his works, and it seems
to me cruel and bigoted conservatism
which persists In inflicting on a people
already cvertourdened with the chaotic
idiosyncra sizes of even a Shakespeare.
The French have a proverb which
ought, I think, to be adopted by every
nation. but especially by US. 1t is ''Rien
n est beau que le vrai" (There is moth
Ing beautiful but the TRUTH. And every
imperfecton of every sort should,
think, regardless Of it's origin, be rooted
out-mercilessly extirpated. Even the
immortal Shakespeare ought never to
be above criticism nor should anything,
| except absolute truth. Less than this
partakes OF the colored Rev. Jasper's
celebrated insistent teaching that "the
sun do move (around the earth. Am
not correct2 R. C. "
In the main SO emphatically correct
that l commend the perusal of this ad-
mrable letter to every correspondent OF
whatsoever age.
Yet [ shrink-weakly. perha ps-from
"rcoting out" any phrase penned by
Shakespeare. Custom and tradition"
ard a great love and admiration have
begotten reverence, In kind, although
not in degree like unto that which held
back the hand of the ancient Hebrew
from touching the ARK.
/. Would you kindly inform me what
could use to make mo longer winded? /
have strong voice. and am having 1t
trained, but find that long notes slip
ne.
2. Can you tell me good diet for
mo to follow, and
Something I could take when my
threat gets dry?
MILDRED II.
1. First. second and always. practice
deep breathing, according to rules often
giN ell in this department. Practice dill
gently also the vocal exercises prescribed
by your teacher, and do not be ambitious
to take high note. Lead gradually up
to it. strengthening your voice by lestt-
mate degrees. creeping before you walk.
walking before you run, running before
you leap
. Avoid fascinating foods, and never
sing soon after eating. Many a young
voice is ruined in this way.
8. a sip of cool water-nothing else.
WIFI you kindly advise me If 1t is prop
er to attend an afternoon home we'd
ding in a white vest and tie?
R. W
jo1I Of