OCR Text |
Show DECADENCE OF LETTER WRITING A literary critic has issued a protest pro-test against the low state of the art of leter writing. He assorts that letters nowadays are filled with per- I sonal gossip and chatter of trivial r things, and that they no longer con- tain the exchange of serious thoughts C and comparing of observations which fi used often to distinguish the epistles of intelligent people. If letter writing has degenerated, the reaons are not hard to find. One is that very many persons see only facts and events, and quite ignore that most" interesting of tasks, the tracing of relatedness and courses, Another is that it is somewhat "unfashionable" "un-fashionable" to speak socially of abstract ab-stract matters or is give extended descriptions; and, even it one were inclined so to write, he would refrain for fear oif being thought pedantic. Letters ought to be friendly, spontaneous spon-taneous and sparking with accounts' of what adventures, great or small, have befallen the writer. A person of open perceptions sees counties things in the course of a day which aro worth reporting. Where the dull mind can relate only what somebody said of wore or did, the intelligent mind Yill not be at a lose for good topics. One of the greatest thinkers said that it was a mark of greatness to see the Bubllme in commonplace things. Rochester Democrate and Chronicle. |