TRUTH F. FICTION

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 5

TRUTH F. FICTION

(To the Editor )

Sir, — In whatever portion of the world it is allotted for man to reside, except in a veritable paradise, there are to be found even in places ever so remote from the busy world a certain lot of men whose objects are to traduce such acts of their neighbours as may have happened to meet with their ambiguous dislike or envy. These men do not go by the name of "Legion" for men of real "Kidney" would scorn to enervate anyone in the eyes of the world without due cause and in such a pusillanimous manner as we have all had tho disgust of witnessing from "our own correspondent" at Switzers, (whoever he maybe,) for several weeks back hi the columns of tho " Bvioe Herald," which are replete with rhapsody and mere garrulous nonsense, and which endeavour to enervate and shako tlie confidence _in certain persons, placod by their qualities in a position of authority over them. I should be extremely obliged, if some kind individual would kindly inform ma -why such ridiculous

and foolish effusions are written ; the only conclusion to be arrived at is, that the poor mis-guided and infatuated mortal revels at the idea of seeing his "own" writing placed before his eyes in a public paper May-be he pourtrays to himself the sensation he is creating in that quiet district. It would delight the " Switzonians " T should conjecture, a great deal more (for their correspondent does them little credit, and they have no cause to be proud of him,) if that slanderous individual were to keep such ignoble trash locked up in his own worthless mind, an(J| expound it when called for. I should sur- T mise those " delicious" effusions emanate and have their origin from the acrimonious fist of one of those self -sufficient, presumptuous beings denominated and rejoicing under the name of " Bush Lawyers." Ido not mean to insinuate that all are bad, but the writer of those lines I should conjecture is one of the worst of his kind — one equally deficient of sense and r<jal manly feeling, whose mind is full of his own conceits and petty . martyrdoms. Xow, Mr. Editor, there is only one conclusion we can arrive at, and that is, he can hj,ve little to do more than' busy himself about hi 3 neighbours' affairs.^ When that call comes, " What have you* ■ done with time V the only precious gift, > I would wish to impress upon him, which • is equally bestowed on every living raaff, and the only real loss which is irretiievable, how will he answer it ? This loss of, time devoted by him to such purposes as before-stated, arises from pure ignorance and incapability of employing himself. I would advise him as a matter of business to recognise its value, and to value it properly, also to employ it better, instead of scandalizing his neighbours. If he has not the grand pabulum of the human soul, ' ' occupation," what a poor creature the man becomes— what a daudling, moping, sitting-o ver-the- fire-thumb -twisting - lazyilltempered animal — and why poor fellow? Because he has nothing t.> do, so of course flies from sheer necessity to back- biting. ''Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do. "

An old writer declares than men wilfully, deliberately, and on principle ,as it were, tell lies. It never came more true than in this case ; he actually has the audacity to quote " Cowper " to us to cloak his untruths. He professes, I should suppose, to speak the truth, and yet he is giving things a prodigious colouring, ca^>t hy his own imagination, twisting facts a little and a little, according as his taste or convenience indicates, never, he thinks (of course not), telling a lie, but merely a deformed or prcvericated truth. If he spoke the truth it would not signify — as perhaps if he held his tongue, it would be better — and which is always a possible alternative. Such people do not speak the truth— they speak what they see, or think, or believe, or wish. Few observant people can have lived in the world without learning to receive even facts communicated in such a form, and without any reserve, but will necessarily stamp them as downright lies. JS'ow it - will be seen that theso folk are a sort of plague. I should like uncommonly, Mr. Editor, to organize a crusade against them, and hunt them out of the dark holes and corners where they are wont to hide themselves, and bring them out into the sunshine to keep them there until they are . thoroughly penetrated by its allpowerful influence, and draw out their sourness of disposition. These folk will not see the good of the' world, but build up around them, as it were, a strong wall nt dislike, apprehension and imagination. They retard people are placed above tii^m. fi'id eiftphat'caUy better to a degree, with jealous eyu, a.nd d.sparage them as much as possible to all who may come in contact with them. It will not make it one straw better for them for so doing, nor will they induce any right-minded person to sympathise with them. Cc gui merite le plus notre admiration est la vertu. It is a singular fact that these, and such as ( these, make themselves obnoxious to themselves and others. Here is an individual who attacks the "Bench" with impunity, un plaisant personnage, instead of upholding the dignity of such, and whose (the Bench's,) justice is fairly recognised by men whose minds are not prejudiced or overflowing with petty malignity. In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I would make the remark that I feel equally surprised that such a well-known and interesting paper as the "Bruce Herald" should publish such detestable rubbish in its valuable columns. It is a pity to see a good tiling spoilt for the sake of a poor deranged fanatic. It is not very edifying to the public mind to read such cataleptic effusions. We (the public) require something pleasing and more congenial to our tastes, and not writings which inj culcate them with other people's failings, which supposed failings arise from mere imagination. I presume such correspondents as " Our own Correspondent" of the " Bruce Herald" are not at all efficacious. These and such as theSe, Mr, Editor, corrode all the good feelings of" the generous public. Honi soit gui mal y pense. Hoping no apology is needed for i trespassing on your valuable space. — I am, &c, Truth, Tuapeka, April 3, 1871.