Amount of Perfection

The observant reader of periodical literature often notes forms of expre ion which are perhaps best characterized by the word bizarre . Of these queer locutions, amount of perfection is a very good example. Mr. G. F. Watts, in the "Nineteenth Century," says, "An amount of perfection has been reached which I was by no means prepared for." What Mr. Watts meant to say was, doubtle , that a degree of excellence had been reached. There are not a few who, in their prepo e ion for everything transatlantic, seem to be of opinion that the English language is generally better written in England than it is in America. Those who think so are counseled to examine the diction of some of the most noted English critics and e ayists, beginning, if they will, with Matthew Arnold. And. Few vulgarisms are more common than the use of and for to . Examples: "Come and see me before you go"; "Try and do what you can for him"; "Go and see your brother, if you can." In such sentences as these, the proper particle to use is clearly to and not and . And is sometimes improperly used instead of or ; thus, "It is obvious that a language like the Greek and Latin" (language?), etc., should be, "a language like the Greek or the Latin" (language), etc. There is no such thing as a Greek and Latin language. Answer—Reply. These two words should not be used indiscriminately. An answer is given to a question; a reply , to an a ertion. When we are addre ed, we answer ; when we are accused, we reply . We answer letters, and reply to any arguments, statements, or accusations they may contain. Crabb is in error in saying that replies "are used in personal discourse only." Replies , as well as answers , are written. We very properly write, "I have now, I believe, answered all your questions and replied to all your arguments." A rejoinder is made to a reply . "Who goes there?" he cried; and, receiving no answer , he fired. "The advocate replied to the charges made against his client."