(4 of 5)
Mannerisms can be annoying even in a goml book-reviewer—and I sincerely put yours in that category. Often I have been delighted with his banter which rings so cheerily upon the sober shield of criticism, but certain phrases can be annoying. Mr. George Santayana has the right to term Browning and Vhitinan barbarians. Many pages of excellent writing bear witness In his sincerity, and though I do not have congruent tastes, I find his opinions both welcome and agreeable. I am no maundering votary at the shrines of accepted giants, but I do think il is over-smart—in fact exceedingly fresh—to term Whitman a "barbaric yawper" in so summary a fashion (see Books in TIME. Aug 10). Your reviewer's strictly personal reactions and snap-judgments are a bit more yawpish than ''Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking." Except for this disagreeable habit I find him most sound and entertaining. Why must we be made aware of his literary stomachaches?
CONSTANCE MERCER KLUGH
Chicago, Ill.
In Song of Myself Walt Whitman wrote: "I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.''—ED.
Slightly Pop-Eyed
Sirs:
I am a subscriber to TIME and a careful reader. In most respects I like your magazine very much and I certainly wish you continued success. However, I do feel moved to say that much of your English is curious and unjustifiable —inverted sentences, omissions of the article abound. "Ginning the North Carolina crop started, etc." "The dirty night the fleet anchored. Seaman Francis Barnes fell overboard, etc.'' "First step was to listen, etc." "Next suggestion was a program, etc." "Morning after the baton charge, the General, etc." "First floral offering to be delivered, etc." This is really atrocious and even newspaper English is better. Then you must describe the personal appearance of everybody: "Bulky Governor Ross Shaw" "Slightly pop-eyed Mr. Wiggin'' "Francis Curry, foxy little boss," and so on indefinitely. This is a little too too in my humble judgment. And why should we be told that Mrs Coolidge. or was it Mrs. Hoover, got her hair bobbed? Please tell us in your next who is her, or their, chiropodist. And once in a while you can afford to overlook the Presidency, since it isn't very important and the President either—that is, not every week, especially when the poor man isn't doing anything worth recording except passing out sandwiches & drinks under big Virginia oaks.
Well, you see that I think that TIME is slightly popeyed. Otherwise you are OK and I am for you.
W. L. RICHARDSON
Chicago, 111.