VERBAL FLY-FISHING
Sir-I was amused to find that my few remarks on the subject of the scanning of Latin and Greek verse got so thoroughly under the skin of "Neutral" of Petone. I imagine that half the trouble is that "Neutral" is a good honest son of the proletariat, and that he suspects me of being several other kinds of stiob besides literary. In fact I’m all for the proletariat, and I sympathise entirely with his sensibilities. But culture is a somewhat intangible quality and I am afraid that I would be put to some difficulty to explain it in terminology which "Neutral" would understand. Suffice it to say that the mere
feat of scanning a Latin or Greek verse (or for that matter of being able to bafidy quotations from the classics in conversation or debate) has very little to do with the matter. In itself it is a poot enough accomplishment, Heaven alone knows. What is important is that it indicates a background (not only educational) which is conducive to appreciation of the finer things of _ life. "Neutral" must not think for a moment that I look down on people who are incapable of this appreciation. I merely feel sorry for them. If "Neutral" is a genuine seeker after the truth, as I trust he is, I shall be glad to lend him a couple of books which will not only impfove his mind but give him valuable information about some of these ancient writers he affects to
despise.-
WINCHESTER
(Auckland).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19410110.2.8.7
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 81, 10 January 1941, Page 15
Word count
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253VERBAL FLY-FISHING New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 81, 10 January 1941, Page 15
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