MISS PECK'S STYLE.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Snt,—Through the negligence of my Clipping bureau the correspondence in your issue of May 11th has but just come under my eye. •
In reply. to the question of my critic permit me to say that, while the paragraph cited may no doubt be improved, it is no
evidence of illiteracy.. In support of my view allow me to refer the gentleman to Murray's Dictionary, as Webster and the Century may be lightly esteemed. Illiterate, as is obvious from the derivation, means ignorant of letters, showing absence of learning or education. True, at the last, Murray says unpolished; but, as shown by what precedes, this word can hardly be regarded as a synonym. One so critical of others should weigh accurately his own words.
That a liberal education does not always imply a talent for good writing (a very different thing from illiteracy) is indis- putable; also, de gustibus non disputandum. I have no quarrel with one who does not enjoy the style of my simple narrative, consoling myself with the fact that others like the English' Athenamm and some critics in the United States have uttered Aords of approbation. An opinion:occasionally expressed on this side that the English have little sense of humour is one I have not shared.' I do not myself enjoy much so-called American wit; but it was amusing to discover that one of my feeble attempts, not exactly at humour, but to lighten my narrative by a slight 'figure of speech, should be deemed an error requiring trans- elation.
A gentleman better aequainted with the English weeklies than f am'hax informed me that the Spectator is peculiarly prose to slashing criticism, especially of what it is pleased to, call Americanese. Personally, I have rather a predilection for the English, not objecting so much as many to those who, like my critic, seem at first unduly gruff, but later become mollified to Teal friendliness,lhough I must admit that others encoun- tered in my travels who are charming from the first are 'rather more prepossessing.
In conclusion, may I suggest that, if my critic finds in the future a. book which like "My Search fel. the Apex of America" be desires to commend as worth reading, he begin, `by setting forth its good points, giving later any essential ' criticisms in a slightly milder tone ?—otherwise many readers, 'discouraged by the early onslaught, may never proceed to the encoiniuths, and ,thus miss reading a book which they might 'enjoy without even noticing the to him so obvioui blemishes.
, .
—I am, Sir, &c., ANNIE B. PECK.
48 Princeton Avenue, Providence, B.1., July 9th, 1912.
[Our attitude will, we hope, never be any other than that of ,real friendliness to so frank and charming a correspondent ,and_ so intrepid a mountaineer. We will try to remember the. adiice of putting the. nice things in a review first. Certainly= it shall be done in the case of Miss Peck's next :boa on hill elimbing.ED.. Spectator.]
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