The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 10, No. 285, December 1, 1827 by Various
page 14 of 55 (25%)
page 14 of 55 (25%)
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Croftangry,--it is clear that he is conscious of such slips and
carelessness as I have before pointed out. I am therefore at a loss to understand why he should allow them to remain like spots that deface the general beauty of his productions, as by submitting them for perusal to the merest Tyro in grammar or composition before they were sent to press, they could not fail of being obliterated. It is surely no very good policy for an artist, jealous of his reputation, knowingly to leave his works unfinished. Without, however, detaining you, or your readers, by such obvious remarks, I shall resume my task, hoping that you will be able to find room for the following in your useful and entertaining miscellany. In the first volume, p. 168, of the present work, we read: "She was once the beautiful and happy wife of Hamish Mac Tavish, _for whom his_ strength and feats of prowess gained _him_ the title of Mac Tavish Mhor." This kind of style would scarcely be allowed to pass in Leadenhall-street. What is meant by _for whom_, with _his_ immediately following, and then _him_ a little after? Does not the author intend to say, that the strength, &c. of Mac Tavish gained him the title of Mac Tavish Mhor? If so, (and there can be no doubt of it from the context,) then he should have written the sentence thus: "_whose_ strength and feats of prowess had gained him the title of Mac Tavish Mhor." "He gained the road, mounted his pony, and rode upon his way," p. 183 of the same volume, is, in the latter part of it, another curious phrase. "He mounted his pony," says the author. May we not suppose he rode _upon it_ too? But he adds "_rode upon his way_." Again: "His reputed grandfather with his pockets stuffed out with Bank |
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