CRITICS CRITICISED.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 601, 13 December 1871, Page 2

CRITICS CRITICISED.

Tq the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —Samuel Edger's apologist of Friday last (per morning paper) shows ignorance. He does not know, and should not have assumed that the editor of the Independent (London) was the author of the able and incisive critique on Mr E's book of sermons to which he alludes and which appears as an exscript in the Auckland Christian Times.- Few editors write all their own " leaders ;" fewer write any reviews of books; and some-7-althouga I see no obligation to inform that loose writer of so muehr—seldom write any of either; their chief function is to examine, judge, select, accept, "reject; and they are responsible.^—Then as to the matter of his complaint! why does he not go to the simple facts ? why fly off at a tangent exclaiming, biassed by a busy-body;. = or, like his . neighbour, fiendish, : personal pique, &c, &c ? Must not every unconcerned onlooker feel that all such stuff !is irrelevant? What are the facts? ih there ridiculous egotism in: preface/to that volume of sermons as reviewer affirms ? and what about the quotation of extraordinary matter in evidence from the preface? Then, again, what is the plain fact, ill feeling or good feeling notwithstanding, in regard to Mr E's supposed mare's nest anent " sin-offering?" I repeat the question, what are the simple facts of the case ? Feelings, good, bad, or indifferent, are out of the question; and, as a separate question, are, though not unimportant, quite secondary. A strong controvertist, or great debater, may have the best feeling and rank among the greatest public benefactors. The Independent's critique is good,—outspoken, keen, fair, candid. Writer of yesterday morning, in igiiominiously imputing bias, &c, again evinces ignorance. Mr E, was notoriously accustomed to criticise (I was about to say castigate) most of the particular men of Auckland; does he now believe in the give and taker " Fair play is a jewel." I am, &c, JQ W. 08. & Upper Parnell, Saturday. /