The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1888-10-27
RandOIph's Rudeness.
NO. is

Randolph's fastidiodsness as to the |
use of the English and the proper ap-
plicatioh of English words is a matter
of history. 1t happened that al a So
cial gathering a young gentleman, who
had been attached TO some legatation
abroad, made use of the word classify
in sense that excited the disapproval
of Mr. Randolph. lie was quick to
resent 1t.
1T is extremely unpleasant : said he,
ito hear careless or ignorant persons
debasing the language by a wrong ap-
plication of words or phrases. Now,
sir, you have used the word classify in
a connection that is entirely wrong"
The young attache drcadfully NOR
tilted, colored deeply and retired from
the conversation. There chaneed to
be present Mr.. Harris, member of
the Richmond bar and relative Of the
victim. lie took up the cudgels ofde-
tense.
" Really, Mr.. Randolph" he said,
"you are too hard on my young kins-
man. ] think that his application of
the word was perfectly correct and
proper"
"You think, i" rctorted Randolph. al
don't believe you know the meaning
of the word. Pray, sir, what is the
meaning of classify?"
"Well,s returned Mr.. Harris good
naturedly, "I don't know that | can
give a technical definition ofthe word,
but can illustrate its meaning. For
instance, ] can classify the books of
your library by the size of the volumes;
or | can classify the members of the
Richmond bar by the initial letter of
their names.s
n thought so,' said Randolph, "you
know nothing about 1t. Suppose |
should classify, as you term It the
books of my library by the size of the
volumes, a pretty mixture | should
make. Or, suppose | should classify
there sneerl the members Of the
Richmond bar by the initial letters Of
their names. Let us see! There's Mr..
Bogg's he'd stand at the head OF the
list. God forbid There's Mr.. Wick
ham; he'd stand at the foot of IL; a
most improper place for him! There's
yourself; Harris, II. H2 The Greeks
esteemed II no letter We'd place you
nowhere"
An other anccdote is even more un-
pleasant. One day Randolph was at.
tackled with sudden faintncss, and
Immediately made up his mind that he
was about to die. Accordingly he de-
spatched his faithful attendant, Juba
with orders TO bring him clergyman
Juba, diligcnt though he was, succeed
cd only in finding an itinerant preach
er, jealous enough, but very illiterato.
Randolph received the reverend gen.
tlcman with great urbanIty and offer
ed him refreshments. After these had
been partakcn of he invited his guest
to read the Bible to him. The preach
er consented, and proceeded at once to
suit the action to the word. Directly
he mispronounccd word.
a beg your PARDON exclaimed the
sage Of Roanoke, "you pronounce that
word wrong. The proper pronucia-
tion is"
The parson corrected himself, apol-
oglzed and proceeded with the lecture.
Every one knows how frequently the
same word Is repeated i'll the Biblical
text Directly the unlucky word again
occurred.
al told you,' said Randolph, with
asperity, "that you mispronounccd that
word, and you have done II again.
The clerical gentleman again made
due correction, apologized and proceed
ed. Randolph watched and directly
the unhappy word was about to turn
up once more.
"Stop Y screamed he in his high trc-
Bile, "stop! lay aside the book. I'd
rather go to HI and bo id than to
hear you mispronounce that word
againW--Cor. Savannah News,