The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-09-15
ANECDOTES OF JOHN RANDoLpA.
Two New Anecdotes Of the Eccentric
observation-disclosures o. Language.

Two New Anecdotes OF the eccentric
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. o. Language
Randolph's fastidiousness as to the use
Of the English and the proper application
of English words is matter Of history. 1t
happened that at a social gathering d
young gentleman, who had been attached
TO some legation abroad, made use of the
word classify" in sense that excited tina
disapprOval of Mr.. Randolph. He was
quick to resent it.
1T is extremely unpleasant" said he,
10 hear careless or ignorant persons de
basing the language by a wrong applica-
ton Of words or phrases. Now, sir, you
have used the word classify III a cOnnec-
ton that is entirely wrong"
The young attache, dreadfully mortified,
colored deeply and retired from the con-
versatlon. There CHANGED to be present a
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 knsman- l
think that his application Of the word was
perfectly correct and proper"
"You think" retorted Randolph. Il
don't believe you know the meaning Of
the word. Pray, sir, what is the meaning
Of classify"
well" returned Mr.. Harris, good
" L
a technical definition of the word, but
can illustrate its meaning For instance,
can classify the books Of your liabrary by
the size of the volumes; or 1 can classify
the members of the Richmond bar by the
initial letter of their names"
Il thought So" said Randolph. "yOu
know nothing about it. Suppose should
classify, as you term it, the books Of my
liabrary by the size of the volumes, a
,---%rx TaI~ I-e In
pose I should classify there a sneerl the
members of the Richmond bar by the mi
tial letters of their names. Let us seel
There's Mr.. Boggs; he'd stand at the head
of the list. God Forbid There's Mr..
Wickham; he'd stand at the foot of it; a
most improper place for him! There's
yourself; Harris, H. II? The Greeks es-
teemed II no letter. We'd place you no
where"
The other anecdote is even more I'M
pleasant. One day Randolph was attacked
with sudden faintness, and Immediately
made up his mind that he was about to
die. Accordingly he despatched his
faithful attendant Juba, with orders to
bring him a clergyman. Juba diligent
though he was, succeeded only in finding
an ttinerant preacher, Jealous enough, but
very nliterate. Randolph received the
reverend gentleman with great urbanity
these had been partaken of he invited his
guest to read the Bible to him. The
preacher consented, and proceeded at
once to suit the action to the word. Di-
rectly he misprOnounced a word.
II beg your pardon" exclaimed the sage
of Roanoke, "you pronounce that word
wrong. The proper pronunciation is"
The parson corrected himself, apologized
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.
II told you" said Randolph, with
asperity, "that you misprOnounced that
word, and you have done it again"
The clerical gentleman again made due
correction, apologized and proceeded.
Randolph watched and directly the un-
haPPy "ord was about to turn up once
"Stopi" screamed he in his high treble,
"stop! lay aside the book I'd rather go to
hi and be id than to hear you mispro-
nounce that word againp-Cor. Savannah
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