ANSWER TO " BILL WELLER."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 193, 19 October 1871, Page 5

ANSWER TO " BILL WELLER."

(To the Editor. )

Sib,— l would remind "Bill "Wei* ler " who ever he may be, thai bin remarks are moat uncalied for, and J really cannot appreciate the manner in which he has endeavoured to pick to pieces my letter of September date. I now beg to bring under his notice a few remarks on this subject, and as he is open to conviction and knowledge, I hope he will digest them in a proper manner. I shall be only too glad, to do what I can in my power help to to expand his mind, but I should advice him to go in strongly for education. First, of all Mr. Editor, the value of writing is to be estimated according to its tendency to promote irprovemeuf, either in private virtue or in those qualities wliiob. render men extensively useful in society, and it is the perfection of any writing to unite these advantages, to promote the advancement of public and private virtue, and to supply such a degree of amusement as to supersede the necessity of tho people receiving'to frivolous persuits for the sake of relaxation. Writing adds to our own experience an eminence treasure, — the experience of others, and besides, its general advantages have a distinct species of utility to different men, according to their several ranks in society and occupations in life. In this country it ought to be, and is, an indispensible duty of every man of liberal birth to be acquainted in a certain degree with the science of politics and writing, Jand, I may- aay, writing in the school of politics. It opens to us the springs of human affairs, the news of the wise, grandeur and faJl of countries and people. It dissipates prejudice and directs to the beet means of improvements of our country and its people. It illustrates equally the blessing of political union and the miseries of factions, the danger on one hand of uncontrolled liberty, on the other the debasing influence of despotic power. AVriting, more than any other science, is liable to perversion from its proper use. With some it is no better than an idle amusement ; with a third class it .fosters the prejudices of party, and leads to political bigotry, in fact the sources of prejudice are infinate ; and, Mr. Editor, the mind of youth, and even of mature age, should not be left undirected amidst the erring, the partial and contradictory representations of such writers as "Bill Weller."— Yours, &v.;

JUNITJS. Switzers, September 13th, 1871.