The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-14
Two New Anecdotes of That Brilliant but
Eccentric Gentleman.


Eccentric Gentleman.
A reader of the Savannah News sends to that
paper two hitherto unpublished anecdotes of
John Randolph. saying at the same time that he
is no admirer of the s'van. overbearing, naughty
and petty minded" Virginian.
Randolph's fastidiousness as to the use of pure
English and the proper application of English
words is a matter of history. 1t happened that
at social gathering young gentleman, who
had been attached to some legation abroad, made
use of the word classify" In a sense that ex-
cited the disapproval of Mr.. Randolph. He was
quick to resent it.
1T is extremely unpleasant" said he, ito hear
careless or ignorant persons debasing the Ian
guage by wrong application of words or
phrases. Now, sir, you have used the word
classify in a connection that is entirely wrong"
The young attache, dreadfuly mortified. col
ored deeply and retired from the conversation.
There CHANGED to be present Mr. Harris,
member of the Richmond bar and relative Of
the victim He took up the cudgels of defense.
Really. Mr.. Randolph" he said you are too
hard on my young kinsman.' I think that his
application of the word was perfectly correct
and proper"
.'You think" retorted Randolph NIT be-
lieve you know the meaning of the wo, Pray,
sir what is the meaning of classify2n
'sWell" returned Mr.. Harris, good nat Iredly
IT don't know that can give technical deini-
ton of the word, but can illustrate its mean
ing. For instance, | can classify the books of
your nDrary Dy Inc SIZE OF the Volumes, or can
classify the members of the Richmond bar by
the initial letter of their names"
II thought So" said Randolph; you know
nothing about it, Suppose should classify, as
you term it, the books Of my library by the size
of the volumes, pretty mixture should make
Or, suppose | should classify here sneerI the
members of the Richmond bar by the initial let
tiers of their names. Let US see There's Mr.
Boggs; he'd stand at the head of the list God
forbid! There's MIR. Wickham; he'd stand at the
foot of it; most improper place for him. There's
YOURSELF Harris. ELI The Greeks esteemed Ell
no letter. We'd place you nowhere"
The other anecdote is even more unpleasant.
One day Randolph was attacked with sudden
faintness, and Immediately made up his mind
that he was about TO die. Accordingly, he dis
patched his faithful attendant, Jnba, with or
ders to bring him clergyman. Juba. dilgent
though he was succeeded only in finding an itin-
Grant preacher, Jealous enough, but very litter
ate. Randolph received the reverend gentleman
with great urbanity, and offered him refresh
invited his guest to read the Bible to him. The
preacher consented, and proceeded at once to
suit the action to the word. Directly he mis-
pronounced word.
ST beg your pardon!' exclaimed the Sage of
Roanoke, ''you pronounce that word wrong.
The proper pronunciation is"
The parson corrected himself, apologizeG and
proceeded with the lecture. Every one knows
how frequently the same word is repeated in the
biblical text Directly the unlucky word again
occurred.
81 told YOU" said Randolph, with asperity,
that you mispron0unced thai word, and you
have done it again.
The clerical gentleman again made due cor
rection, apologized and proceeded. Randolph
watched. and directly the unhappy word was
about to turn up once more
Stop screamed he in his high treble; 'stopl