GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, November 1850

APOTHEGMATA:

OR, THOUGHTS IN LUMPS AND ARROWS SHOT AT VENTURE.

BY B. D. PETTENGILL.

ARTIFICIAL WRITING.- One reason that we have so much artificial, meaningless writing in the periodicals of the day is that most of our editors make superficial accuracy the great test of merit, use the file too much, and oblige all contributors, on pain of rejection, to feel by rule and think by precedent. How a small fault, a slight vagary, or a little departure from customary usage would startle some editors! In fact, it is only writers of a great and overshadowing reputation who are allowed nowadays to follow the bent of their genius, and write as their own instincts dictate.

FAULTS IN COMPOSITION.- Many a popular man derives his popularity more from his very eccentricities than anything else; and many an interesting and able article, both in prose and poetry, is chiefly interesting from what, by the strict rules of art, might be termed its faults.

BRILLIANCY OF STYLE.- The following beautiful specimen of brilliancy in writing is taken from the commencement of a modern novel, and may be of use as a model to beginners:-"The setting sun's refulgent glories tipt with dazzling lustre Etna's lofty summits, and danced in a thousand varied hues over Polycrasto's smooth, transparent bosom. The gentle zephyrs breathed Sicilian odors, and wafted on their silken wings the finest strains of Italian melody."

THE LEARNED STYLE.- Learned lecturers might learn a lesson in learning from the opening address of that erudite pedagogue, the venerable Mr. Lollypop, when about to teach Masters Johnny and Tommy to say A B C. "These letters, young gentlemen" - said he - "are the elements of all literary knowledge, and in their various combinations possess functions capable of transmitting, from one mind to another, every species of intellectual intelligence."

PREFACES.- Conduct which is unexceptionable needs no apology, and books which are well written require no prefaces.

TITLES TO BOOKS.- Children should not be named till after they are born, nor titles determined on for books till after they are written.

NEWSPAPERS.- A good newspaper should be like a kitchen-fire. It should contain one large substantial article as a back-log, then a fore-stick and several smaller sticks, and the rest may be chips. But some newspapers are all chips.

PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN NATURE.- If you wish to gain a little knowledge of human nature, and the rules of practical wisdom, read poetry, newspaper jokes, and the best novels; but do not go to didactic treatises, for you will not find it there.

THE VALUE OF THINGS.- There is no better test of a man's wisdom or folly than his estimate of the comparative value of the different objects of human pursuit. The wise man values reputation, but he would not sacrifice health for its attainment; he does not despise riches, but he would not give up honor, conscience, or charity to procure them; he admires beauty, but he does not set it above virtue; he loves amusement, but he does not neglect business for its enjoyment.