Year: 1875

part Of human life, and in nothing does it
abound more fully than in language. We
cannot take up an ancient book or paper
without being astonished at the different
diction it bears from that of the present
doy, and even the familiar correspondence
of former generation seems antiquated
and grotesque to the grandchildren Of its
writers From year to year words are
changing their Specification, old ones drop
ping out Of use and new ones entering the
list These changes are SO gradual, but
so constant, that much Of the misunder-
standing and contention that are in the
world result simply from the different
meanings which people attach to the same
word.


A recent writer in Blackwood's Maga-
zine deprecates this change, and thinks
that il partakes more Of the nature Of
decay than of growth. He says that the
art of talking well is seldom now to be
found in young persons, and attributes it
largely to the multitude of subjects pressed
upon their attention, and the neglect Of
the habit of listening respectfully to
their superiors. There is doubtless much
truth in this criticism. There Is an eager

rushing spirit in the education Of the pres
ent day which precludes that quiet atten-
tion to words and their meanings which
was once thought essential, and a careless,
loose and exaggerated style Of talking is
the natural effect


Yet, We cannot admit that language is
retrograding. Its chief movement is that
of expansion; its prominent change is that
Of amplifcation. In this it is but obeying
the universal law of human growth. We
are becoming more and more complex in
every direction. Thought is developing
daily into greater intricacy. What was
once simple idea has, like seed, not
only taken root in the human mind, but
spread into the full fruition. of countless
branches aud luxuriant foliage As Ian
guage is the expression of thought, it also
must grow and expand in order to fulfill
its purpose. Thus, we have now many
words conveying various and delicate
shades of an idea, where, formerly, one
was all-sufhcient. The words that fall into
disuse and become obsolete are as nothing
TO the hosts Of new ones that arise--when
one dies, phenix-like, multitude Of others
arise from its ashes.


Strong emotion also Graves strong utter
ances. This is perhaps one reason why
young people are peculiarly liable to ex-
press themselves in exaggerated language.
Their feelings are acute, eager and intense;
and calm and measured words appear to
them quite inadequate to represent their
meaning. Possibly if, instead of being
checked or laughed at for their enthusi-
asm, they were gently led to choose suita-
BILE terms of real intensity, they would less
often offend our ears which absurd super
latives and slang phrases, which, however
repulsiye to good taste and refinement,
yet doubtless appear to those who utter
them, more expressive of their meaning
than others they could choose.


Still, it is highly important that the
young should be preserved, if possible,
from this injurious habit A loose and
inflated style Of talking often leads to slang,
and that, with the company it attracts,
may lead to irrcverence and even profanity.
Children should, as far possible, be sur
rounded by those who speak with simpli-
city and purity of style, for it is certainty
that they will adopt the same kind of con-
yersation that they constantly hear. No
future instruction, however excellent, will
overcome early habits in this respect.
Many highly educated persons lapse un-
consciously into grammatical errors, to the
use of which they have become habituated
in their childhood An eminent professor
Of rhetoric once declared publicly that if
he were anxious to have a child to learn
to speak the English language with accu-
racy and good taste, he would prefer to
select its nurse and companions with re-
ference to this matter, rather than any
instructor who might follow in after life,
knowing that it is by this early and un-
conscious influence, that ineradicable hab-
its are formed.


Children should also be accustomed to
express themselves clearly and simply in
very early life. Few parents take pains
on this point They either permit their
children to talk without guidance, or by
enforcing silence deny them the opportu-
nifty of practice, Both are self-indulgent
ways Of escaping plain duty, both are
obstacles, hindering the ehilds improve
mcnt. If, instead, every child we're en-
cOuraged to speak at all proper times, and
induced to take an intelligent part in the
family intercourse, but obliged to speak
correctly and to select suitable words, there
would be marvellous change in the con
versation Of our young people. The prac-
tice Of separating the young from the old
in society, which is so usual in certain
circles, is not calculated to improve the
conversation Of either. Apart, the talk
Of youth is apt to be frivolous, and that Of
age dull. Together, they would supple
ment each other The young people would
become more modest and careful in the
presence Of mature judgment, and the
elders would gain new life and brilIiancy
from the enthusiasm OF youth, A good
talker will alwavs be n uood I;afanar .,,d