VtT No. 1. Editorials. 277 t:4 v &t is in the oration the essay and tho debate that we build tho palace. In these societies, nothing is of greater importance thanjust and judicious criti cism. To a great extent the cfilclcncy of society work depends upon tho ability, tact, and abovejall fhojoncrgy of tho critic. To those cmporlant ofilcers we would make a few suggestions Nay, do not bid us farewell and leave. We are aware that advice is cheap and no art so difficult us to make it agreeable. There are, how ever, a few general principles which should form a part of the unwritten con stitution of every literary society. First of all, societies should choose wisely in tilling this ofllco. The critic need not shine in debate or on the rostrum but he should have a thorough knowledge of our language and be well versed in our litera ture. It is not enough that he point out the faults and correct the errors-that ho should tear down what others' build up but he should bo able to suggest some method of improvement, some plan of progress. Too often is tho critic's report in tho av. eragu society the driest part of tin pro gramme, and tho most deserving of severe criticism. Have you not sometimes felt the need of all your reserve piety, when some fine production was marred and dis torted by some bungling critic? Let him then point out the errors in pronunciation, use of words, etc., but this can be done without humiliating the performers. The most cflectivo criticism Is not always the most severe. While he points out the faults to be avoided, let him not forget the excellencies to be imitated. But when all this is done, much still re mains. Every meeting should bo made the occasion of a systematic critique on some class of performances, some par ticuliar clement of society work. Let one or more evenings be devoted to each of such topics as, tho writing or delivery of orations, the writing or reading of essays, the conduct of debate, thoprir.ciplcs of at titude, and so on, indefinitely. Let these critiques ba well prepared, and there is no reason why the critic's report may not be the most instructive, as well as the most interesting part of the programme. Two years ago a mania for spelling swept over the laud like an epidemic. Perhaps its greatest benefit was in expos ing tho latent ignoiancc on tills fundamen tal element of education. There is but little doubt that the result would be even more surprising if a mania on pronuncia tion should follow. While correct spel ling is of great importance, wo deem cor rect pronunciation as even more desirable Spelling is usually done where we have the time and opportunity to verify our work, but in pronunciation the first im pulse finishes it; ncscit vox missu raverli. Spelling is usually done in private and at leisure, but pronunciation before the fas tidious public, and witli no time to cor rect. Habits of pronunciation always fol low you. They are present at the table, in the parlor, in tho office, and in society as well as on the stage. The habit of correct pronunciation is the index of an accurate mind. As an ac complishment it may rank witli music, and as a recommendation for scholarship it goes far beyond a college diploma. How our confidence in an instructor in the sciences or the languages, where the greatest accuracy is required, lessens when we find him inaccurate, in his vernacular. How often the beautiful thoughts of the orator are marred and impeded by some gross error in pronunciation. Nay, how often is tho divine truth sent forth on its sacred mission, halt and maimed by bluu dors that a little.caro would avoid. It may be urged thai thought Ms .more important than language. But language is the vehicle of thought, and anything that mars the language must impede the thought. Thought and language arc so inseparably connected that they must suf fer mutually. If, then, correct pronunciation is so de sirable, how shall it be attained? That