The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-28
THOSE LATIN LINES.
our Bridgton Correspondent Meets
Learned John Smith.

To the Editor Of the Press:
l cannot express to you in words, the
pleasure you gave me by printing my letter
Of inquiry on the Goth inst. The ready kind
ness of your correspondents In enlightened
nay ignorance by the light of their learning
is something for which Icannot be sufficient
ly grateful How true 1t is that, although it
is very unpleasant to admit ones ignorance,
still, there is no other road by which one
can attain to knowledge. On second
thoughts, this last remark does not seem
quite original. think l must have heard or
read it somewhere; however, 1t shall stand,
because Of its truth.
During the past summer, l had the good
fortune to make the acquaintance Of a run
ner or drummer, IL that is better term-his
name is John Smith-he resides in your city
he tells me. Mr.. Smith is man of much in
telligence, always ready to talk. and with an
inexhaustible fund of amusing stories, which
he Is always ready to tell to whomsoever
will listen; he has sharp wit too, which he
keeps bright by constant usage. The other
day, the day indeed which brought the
second answer to my request for enlighten-
ment as to the meaning OF the Latin verses,
Mr.. Smith was present at the post cffice (our
worthy postmaster keeps the country
store'o, where l received my daily Of course,
l showed him not only that but the reply Of
the previous day, and he, protesting to have
some knowledge Of the Latin tongue. l
respectfully asked his opinion as to the rela-
tive excellence of the translations. He read
thsm over very carefully, comparing them
with the original, and expressed himself as
being surprised at the literary perfection Of
both the first he said was scholarly and ex-
act, although he was sorry to see shade Of
SkentlpiSm in il tt the oauninauaaQ of the
original. He remarked that the translation
| OF your Biddeford correspondent showed
| genius, ,and was unique and unconventional
rendering OF very curious and undoubtedly
| ancient piece OF Latin verse, which bore, Mr..
| Smith said, conclusive evidence that Mother
\ Goose, OF whose origin there has always
been question, was unquestionably Identical
| with Cybele, who was held In high esteem
by the Romans, as magma Deocum Mater,
and represented as sitting in lofty chariot
drawn by geese, in commemoration Of the
city OF Rome being saved (or rather thu
| citadeD from an escalade by the Gauls
through their clamor; being melted thereto
| by the aforesaid goddess. Here Mr.. Smith
thing OF hurry withal, referred me to Gal
truchius, his Pantheon; representing the
fabulous histories Of the heathen Gods-pp
no. III. L think he also said that Cybelt
was referred to as Mater ARSer by D'Assiny
another author who was an authority 10
mythologlc literature.
Mr.. Smith kindly gave me copy in Eng
lish of the poem in question which j append
below;
Three children sliding on the ice,
| All on a summers day,
IL so fell OUT, they all fell in.
| The rest they ran away.
| But had these children been at church,
Or sliding on dry ground.
| burst TO wage an hundred marks,
They had not all been drowned.
| You parents that have children dear,
And exc you that have none,
| II You would have them safe abroad,
1 Pray keep them safe at home.