The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-30

between the ono and the other. tn IN
Ihere are changes proposed by the CON
all toward a more rational and cffcc-
tive language the formcrStoward moth
ing but chaos.
Tho development of the present Eng
llsh spelling Is n long. sad tale Of nc-
cidents and plumbers. Every law OF
natural derivation or historical signiti-
cance Is violated time and again Note
the spelling OF alignment from line,
height from high. etc. ad infinitum
What do the masters Of philoiogy say
as to the photographic "storehousc ot
history and poetic suggestion" Read
Inc same convenient source Just quoted
Tor an authentic declaration as TO the
great loss to poetry and fals!iicutton OF
history through our present day spell
OF great confusion arising from for
eiEn influence and lack Of accented
standards--a condition still largely
prevailing.
Now as to the ignorant dialect
form" by which the s'mplincd spell
Ing advocates would make the mas
terpiecss OF the English language riJl-
culous." can the editorial writer's OF
these great dailies say just who nre
these literary and educational phil
istines whose work is "trending un-
erringly and logically to the evolution
of traresty upon true education and
mockery OF culture?" Arc they aware
OF the nature of the changes proposed:
II Just happens that the advocates Of
most educators, literary critics and
writers, philologians and high grade
publishers OF the world. The prcsi-
dents of our greatest universities ere
perhaps most conspicuous amcI:cs those
who bow to this Erotcsque fetch"
Tho reform proposed by the Carnc sie
board gives very careful considerB-
ton to historical and structural signin-
canoe OF our words, as Will be seen by
reading paragraph printed under
their plan.
But perhaps the most surprising
phase OF your editorial Ia Its pcdagO-
educational preparedness of The
Times Dispatch. We have not noted
any complaint on your part that the
boys, boys and farmers are becoming "inoc-
and-easy innovation" Better educn-
tIon. like all improvements, rests
iundamentally upon getting results
cation. genuine. thorough and ever bet
ter; not superficial CLOSING over new
theories, nor yet wasteful dronins
over obsolescent mistakes and meth.
DDS Of the past. Pray, why should we
not teach the child to talk. dress or
conduct business. industries. and even
newspapers in the Elizabathan fash
of to-day and tomorrow. thar IN his
one thing we must keep our faces back
ward? Ii Is one thing to keep sacred
our history and traditions quite n diff
perfect methods or instruments when
better gre available. Why should not
q more efficient spelling be as accept
able in tho newspaper office as bet
ter typewriter or press?
Is 1t possible that there is moth
Ing better than spelling to suggest for
the gratuitous furnishing of trouble,
industry and the application of the
mind" in the tasks OF the ovcrburdened
school-chlld of the twentieth century?
Every teacher will agree that thero Is
nothing in the whole school curriculum
80 irrational, uneducatlve and inevi!a-
bly, "parroty" as the English spelling.
No human mind can learn it otherwise
than as mere mechanical tread
mill" But the proposed revisions OF
spelling to. which you ascribc those
pedagogical effects are all in the line
OF affording that mental digestion,
assimilation and expansion which you
fear will be lost. The efficiency of the
educated man depends upon the econ
omy In his educa ton. Economy and
Kidding 1t of superfluous lumber which
wearies deadenS and confuses, but
fails to train in logical or systematic
thinking or afford interest or insight
into the future or the past. This Is eX-
actly the burdensome grind of our
chaotic spelling as the verdict has been
pronounced by those who best know the
problems OF the mind and of the school
and those who best know and love their
Milton and Shakespeare.
II. e. BENNETT
william and Mary College.
->------