HAMILTON.—Oct. 6.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 36, 8 October 1869, Page 3

HAMILTON.—Oct. 6.

(From cur own Correspondent.) I am told that you highly favored people of Naseby have nearly everything in the shape of recreations and amusement that heart could desire or indolence suggest—always excepting a Municipality viz., _Oddfellows and and Masonic lodges, a Public Library, Penny Readings, a Teetotal Society, Quadrille Assemblies, Cricket, and other advantages innumerable, while we remain here a poor desolate remnant of fallen greatness frittering away our time either over some musty newspaper, or perchance an almanac of 1800; or, to reckon it up in a summary manner,, " living :and dying in cur ignorance," and the only reminder of our high estate,, left- to us since the efflux of our large population, is the old hackneyed saying of ££ What are you going to have to drink ?'' Strange though it may appear, the above is°a fact, not but that we have ail opportunity of otherwise spending our evenings or leisure ; but it appears-to be no person's business or inclination to set about a reform. As a matter of course we do not look to the publicans to move in the matter, for I have no doubt but that they find billia?*ds, cards and dice pay them better; but surely there are some, even in our small community, who have the ability and ought to show an example, and, singularly enough those are the very men most backward. X do not mean to say that there is much drunkenness amongst us, but there is a disposition to "tipple," which is very reprehensible, and which I see very iifctic tiiliicuity iir getting rid'- oi*—* at least to a great extent—by simply inducing men to stay away from the public house ; but to do that we must provide-some means, and they are at our command if we choose to make the exertion—for instance, a public reading room for a start, or a temperance half, and inaugurate a teetotal or debating society, and I have no doubt but that, sotially and physically, great benefit would accrue.: I merely throw these out as hints to those on whom we look to take action in the matter; and I would also suggest that some of the " big guns from Mount Ida might think it worth" their trouble to come and " put us through -" tor instance, your Band of Hope men would. If they did. not find enthusiasts, at least sonic proselytes. After my contribution in yours of 24th ult;., the most sceptical could not hide the fact that I had trodden on dangerous ground, and therefore looked on my fall as certain. As for myself I scarcely expected lesp than annihila- j

tion. The blow (I allude to Mr. Morony a loiter of Istinst.) has fallen, aud still 1 survive! Ana why ?y Because of it stupendousness it failed to kill. x^s gigantic proportions were too much for its equilibrium, and it toppled over, a great hideous mass of truculent tautological rhapsodies ! Had Mr. P. M. Morony given me a quiet commonplace drubbing I would iiave been content, ana .people; would have said " it served me right ;" but the thing was entirely overdone—too clumsy and too farfetched altogether. At first-1 laughed heartily on reading his letter of Ist inst.; but when I began to look more closely at it a feeling of sorrow took possession of me to think of the valubie time wiiica I had foolishly caused Messrs. Morony, -} >ictionary and Co. to lose, and toe fearful tax ; on their mental powers required in the composition of such a sublime effusion.. But as Mr. Morony signifies. his intention of taking no more notice of me (for I disclaim.any collision with "Impartiality ), and as I. really do not wish to enter into a newspaper warfare With anyone, I will simply make a brief of his (or their) letter. 1 -feel tnankful to have even earned the reputation of being a " pal try scri bbler," and have no doubt but that by practice, and the very kind corrections suggested by Mr. Morony/ to further improve. " my style." More especially am I thankful to him for the very flattering introductions which he has given me to those great men of old, to some ■of whom Iwas, in the natural course oi events, 1 must confess: a.stranger—particularly the gentleman mentioned iii the '* terrific passage." Howl wish that' my dear old grandmother was living, that she might hear her "curly headed boy " likened to a Demosthenes, a Minto, a Jeffreys, &c., &c,; and to hear her exclaim "I always told you so. It is a singular fact though that she was the only person who ever believed in my uuborn genius, until the penetrating Mr. Morony found it out, Mr. M. asks who I am. My answer is, I I cannot afford to tell him gratis, but for a handsome consideration the sporting editor of this paper shall have power to give it up, and I will assist him so far as to mention that a gentlemaTl:of. this to\vn 7 who follows a calling, and who believes I alluded to him in one of my " paltry scribbles," notified through a co-tradesman of your town (who choose to apply the grievance) that .they would be prepared to give a consideration for my identity. I am too poor to part with my little all to satisfy a ravenous appetite for the mysterious, and the small salary I get for writing—bad grammar—will not support me; and, therefore I am compelled to have recourse to bargain for filthy lucre, and if they .can come to terms I hope they may be satisfied with their share of the transaction ; but I warn them that, in my opinion, they will consider the information dear at one per cent, of the principal, and that their most probable exclamation will be : Why, we would not give the money for his whole turn out. But why does Mr. M. lay any stress on the fact that I am an anonymous scribbler ? lie accepted me for what I am, and must be aware that the exigencies oi my trade render it necessary that 1 should remain unknown. But he has really no just right to know my name, because the few remarks I made about him were suggested by his own letter, .and if he cannot stand a little fair criticism he should not rush into print; for letters like his are fair game for " paltry scribblers," especially for such a? I, who must look from out of my. own; circumscribed arena for digestible food. He also wishes to know who the great A. A. is; and I may say, for it costs nothing, that, as described by me, he is a creature of my own conception, but that he is to be found in every community, and a greedy aspirant for every vacancy, and always the only man fitted for it." One. could he led ,to believe that he applies the character to himself, and I must candidly contest his right to do so. He IA. A.) was introduced on the scene before Mr. M. appeared, and, if it is any consolation, I can assure him that it was written as a gentle reminder for the School Committee to guard against imposition, and certainly not levelled at any individual; and if he or the public so applied it, or if it fitted any party or parties, tne writer cannot- be held responsible. I entirely ignore any personality in the affair, and can safely do so, seeing that I am a stranger, so far as I am aware, to all "the parties.

But those who engage in the warfare , m nst do so at. a disadvantage, tor my j tactics^ are to attack, and not to parry jor defend. ridicule is part of my | profession, and I will always have re- ■ course to it when opportunity offers, ; and my particular or pet ! hobby shall always have my attention. I think I never knew a situation where the hackneyed saying of " those who live in glass houses should never throw stones " was more applicable than the present, where Messrs. Moronv, Dictionary, and Co. attack my grammar. 0000. neavens ! -do they take mo for a schoolmaster, or is pedagogism so ingrafted into the very nature of the senior partner that it- .entirely overrides the caution of the other member* of the firm, and shews its face in every seni.en.ee, suggesting the lamentable lact that he is incapable of writing unless his "peculiar talents" are allowed proper conspicuousness ? Or wnv eise can we account for the importation of grammar into his letters ? I hope I have never given any one occasion to think to at I believed I wrote grammatically ; it so. the error is theirs not mine—for I have only endeavored to scribble a little plain— very plain-—common-sense, with a good proportion of nonsense to fill up the spaces. And taen they accuse me of writing in council i (xoodness gracious! my epistles are mean enough to be the work of one "dunce," and I have a decided objection to the co-r>art*rnal application, for it would not be. in any way flattering to my compeers. But, as I have used the word "they" in xefeiring to Sir. JSlorony, I ought to explain that my impression is—and I aimost dare be sworn—that one man never concocted the brilliant effusion signed P. M Morony, and can, by an inherent tuition, trace its paternity word by word, and sentence by sentence. I can see the table around a\ hich they sit, on which is piled all the literature at their command, and conspicuous among which is one I have too long neglected •; but I have seen it, although in different company. Yes, 3£r. JJictionan/, although some people despise you, and cast you aside as dry reading, you are a dear and faithful mend to the worthy trio who have taken you into partnership. You are an indispensable adjunct. IS 7 o incompatibility will be allowed to sever the tie so securely cemented together. There is only one other similitude in tue letter worth referring to, and that is where he calls me an orator and a stuo orator, and I confess I must leave it to the learned to define the affinity between a "paltry scribbler" and an " orator," for I am too obtuse to see any. The last sentence referring to me, where he says my " hypocrisy shall be imperishable in his memory," can easily be converted into a threat; but surely such a, great man as he ought not to allow such impotent writing as mine to ruffle his temper or arouse his resentment. As he freely gives, so let him freely take. For myself, I own that I rather like being put through no w and again, and if deserved, I shall endeavor to apply it, and trust it may do me good. Local news I have none, except that we have entirely escaped the predicted atmospheric disturbances expected yesterday. The day and night were peculiarly calm and bright. To-day, however, the atmosphere is close and heavy, indicating a change, which, to agree with our wishes, ought to be rain, , for the water supply is tailing off, althougu til ere is no scarcity just yet ; but our hopes for the summer are dependent on rain, as the snow has already disappeared from the range.