Correspondence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1215, 20 January 1886, Page 3

Correspondence.

MR NEILL AGAIN REPLIES. (To the Editor.)

Sib, — " Letbe " regrets that I have not taken his ci iticism (?) in a kindly way. Knock a man down and then regret he does not take it kindly ! Your regret need not have been called into being had your criticism been intelligent, which I deny. I direct " Lethe " to consult '* Chambers' Encyclopedia " tor his definition of blank verse, and he will find that it is "verse without rhyme, and depending upon metre alone." Which of us is right? Now, am I or is

"Lethe" right? The poem "Gone" was oopied by the "North Otago Times" and published in that journal. And why? Probably because it was " written without rule, sense or reason." I say '•port" and "freight " are both poetical— e.g., " But me, from port witheld and tempest tossed," &c. ; also, " On dashed the tram with all her living freight !" ADy one who knows anything of analysis, or even simple parsing, will know that *■ tribute " and " wreath " are both objectives governed by the verb "drop," the oneiu apnoei tion to the other. Yet " Lethe " will not drop his cavillins but persist in dropping something more weighty — viz., a " garden plot."

" Lethe " talks very learnedly about " simile," " metaphor," &c. j but, cuttlefiah-like, he escapes, leaving us in troubled waters. I must pursue " Letbe " and thunder into his un< willing ear that a simile is a "comparison," and the two objects which I seek to compare are "tear" and "star," and further tbeir aotions are similar) but I am certain that though I Bhould shed tears as falling stars I would fail to convince this able (?) critic.

"In writing in what it called the 'elevated style,' the genius of a Milton or a Shakespeare is required 10 lift it above tamenesa," •' Lethe " gravely informs us. "Lethe," I hope, will own that there are few, if any, equal to either, and I do not lay claim to such a position ; therefore, the " elevated style* must not be attempted. He is not altogether guiltless of attempting this style himself, but I suppose we mast excuse him, on the soore that there is a license to indulge in this sort of thing during the holidays. Sir, I am truly sorry tint the " heaving and falling motion throughout the poem" has given " Lethe " " a feeling of unrest, and almost pain," and the only consolation I hare to offer is one that was tendered ofttimes to myself when a similar feeling on board ship produced on me a similar result — viz., "It will do you good." For the gentle pa 4}4 } you gave me at the close I have to tender you my sincerest thanks (plagiarism again) . You began by calling the poem "execrable," and now you finish by inferring that it is tame. Truly, you are an evolutionist of no mean order, and should you aspire to any higher scat than that which you now occupy, I shall willingly assist in your elevation. Adieu ! dear friend, I grieve to bid adieu ! To one whose heart is ever kind and true. — 1am,&0., k. Neill.