The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-04-01
A UNIQUE VOLUME.
4 chinaman's Work on the English Language.

~ ALhtnaman's Work on tne EnKIisn Language.
The Providence Journal In recept issue
says: We have before US a remarkable book,
no less than dictionary of English phrases,
with illustrative sentences, by Kwong III
Chin, Chinese scholar, WHO for the last five
years has been member nf the Chinese Ed
ucational Mission in the United States, re-
siding at Hartford, Conn.,,
The work under notice. consists, first, of
the idioms, colloquialisms and current Eng
lish phrases, with their definitions; second,
slang and cant phrases, idomatic phrases,
terms and phrases Of the stock exchanges;
all these are accompanied with examples Of
their use; third, English proverbs, Chinese
proverbs and maxims, Latin and French
phrases. These are followed by historical
sketch of the Chinese Dynasties, in which
the dates are harmcnized with Christian
chronology. Following these is sketch Of
confucius, the Chinese sage, and Of Jesus
tsfrist 1he book closes with q full index,
making altogether stout volume Of 9i4 oc-
tavo pages.
To compile dictionary properly requires
many years of close study-sometimes, in
deed, a lifetime-eyen for scholars with
minds trained In languages having an affini-
ty with their mother tongue; but for all ORR
entail scholar, and he native of the Celes-
tial Empire, to compile such work as that
before us, and so well done, is remarkable.
We possess dictionaries of idioms, colloquial
phrases and slang terms, but in nope Of them
is the subject treated in the manner of our
Chinese scholar. Our photographers con-
dense their definitions as much as possible,
but Mr.. Kwong's definitions are generally
fuller, often double, and in every case ac-
companied by illustrations of the use Of the
idioms. We give few examples:
Stiff as poker-excessively stiff.
Our new laundress made my collars as
stiff as poker Our new laundress made
my collars excessively stiff.
To stuff the ballot box (U. S.)-to put in
many fraudulent votes.
1t is a criminal offence to stuff the ballot
box in the election Of officers.
Straight tickei-A ticket containing the
regular nominations of a party without
change.
The mere politician always votes the
straight ticket. The one who is merely de-
voted to the advancement of political party
always votes the regular ticket without
change. .-...- .--.r
We select few Chinese maxims
Cutailing expenses cures poverty.
Education cures rudeness of speech and
conduct; the practice of music cures heed
lessness. -.
FIRST be correct yourself; then correct
Others. r-a ..- ...a...-. .- &
"Foreso expenses for useless objects, and
devote the money to better purposes.
"If any person has failings do not reveal
them. .. r.l.- .....r. ~. -
.Diligence can compensate for dullness /;
economy In public affairs would remove
all occasion for their being corrupted by
bribes." sz-a-...,. -s.-...-r ..... .-r
,rA well known Christian |. WaHiiRp's ga HiR iEes .fua
century Setofe' tke Christian era, though diff
ferently expressed: ...... .....
" Do not to others what you do not wish
them to do to you." .. ..
Preceding the title Of the book is a finely
engraved portrait Of Mr., Kwong, from which
It Is evident that he Is man Of marked in-
telligence. e ..r.f or ...... ".. ...
Upon the whole the book will be interest
ing as we'll as instructive to English readers,
and useful to foreigners not familiar with
our colloquial language. 1t is highly com
mended by the presidents Of Yale and Har-
ward Colleges, as well as by gentlemen who
have made the English language their par
ticular study. ......