Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-12

reader OF the Savannah Netcs sends to that
paper two hitherto unpublished anecdotes OF
John Randolph, saying at the same time that
he Is no admirer Of the "vain overbearing,
naughty and petty-minded'' virginian.
Randolphs fastidiousness to the use of
pure English and the proper application OF
English words is q matter of history. 1t hap
pened that at q social gathering a young gen.
tleman, who had been attached to some lega-
ton abroad, made use of the word classify in
sense that excited the disapproval of Mr.. Ran
dolph. He was quick to resent it.
at Is extremely unpleasant" said he, ito
hear ca reless or ignorant persons debasing
the language by wrong application of words
word classify in a connection that is entirely
The young attache, dreadfully mortified, COL
ored deeply and retired from the conversation.
There CHANGED to be present a Mr.. Barris. q
member of the Richmond bar and a relative
OF the victim. He took up the cudgels OF de-
"Really, Mr. Randolph" he said, "you are too
hard on my young kinsman. 1 think that his
application of the word was perfectly correct
Deileve you know the meaning of the word.
Fray, sir, what is the meaning OF Classify"
We'll, returned Mr.. Harris. good naturedly,
y! dOn Know that can give a technical def.
milton OF the word, but can illustrate its mean
ing. For instance, can classify the books OF
your library by the size OF the volumes; or car
classify the members OF the Richmond bar by
the initial letter Of their names"
Il thought SO!' said Randolph, "you know
nothing about 1t. Suppose should classify, as
you Term 1t, the books of my library by the size
Oi Inc volumes, pretty mixture should make.
Or, suppose should classify There sneer] the
members of the Richmond bar by the initial
letters of their names. Let US see! There's Mr..
Boggs; he'd stand at the head Of the list. God
forbid! There's Mr.. Wickham; he'd stand at
! Inc 1901 OF 1t; a most improper place for him!
There's yourself; Harris. II. H.? The Greeks
esteemed ii no letter. We'd place you no
where"
The other anecdOte is even more unpleasant.
One day Randolph was attacked with a sudden
taintness, and imme diateIy made up his mind
mat he was about to die. Accordingly he de-
Spatched his faithful attendant, Juba, with or
GERS 10 bring him clergyman. Juba, diligent
lnougn ne was, succeeded only in finding an
lilterate. Randolph received the reverend
gentleman with great urbanity, and offered
MIN refreshments. After these had been par
taken OF he invited his guest to read the Bible
10 nlm The preacher consented, and pro-
ceeded at once to suit the action to the word.
Directly he mispronounced word.
~ oeg your pardon, exclaimed the sage of
Roanohe, you pronounce that word wrong.
Inc proper pronunciation is -"
The parson corrected himself, apologized and
how frequently the same word Is repeated in
the Biblical text. Directly the unlucky word
again occurred.
Il told yOu,' said Randolph, with asperity,
that you mispronounced that word, aud you
have done it again."
The clerical gentleman again made due cor
fectIon, apologiZed and proceeded. Randolph
watched and directly the unhappy word was
about to turn up once more.
stop! screamed he in his high treble nStop!
again!'