The Portland daily press., 1892-01-27

be more than mere experiment. u
was invented and published in 1879 by
John Martin Schleyer, German and
priest Of the Roman Catholic church.
He was man of unusual learning and
had studied many languages. He con-
ceived and carried out the idea of Ian
guage which should combine as far as
possible the excellencies and avoid the
defects of existing languages. Many
of them extremely ingenious, but none
of them had to any extent come into
use. For two or three years Schleyer's
system made very slow progress, yet
from the first it seemed to have vitali-
ty unlike its predecessors. Those who
studied it began to use it in correspond
erce and thus to interest others. 1t
spread from Germany to Austria. but
was mostly confined to German-speak-
ing people until 1884, when considerable
interest in it was elected in Holland
and Belgium. In the meantime many
scattered students had been attracted
in all civilized countries The next Wig
orous movement was made in France
and headed by Prof. Kerckhoffs, and
this really gave the language an in
ternational Importance which it had
not before possessed, and caused it to
be supported in Italy, Spain, Portugal,
Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Hungary
and other countries during 1885 and
1886. Kerckhoffs' style and method Of
imparting the language, as shown by
L. = fo~ r..
tractive than Schleyer's own, and
formed model for most Of the text
books written in the languages OF the
newly-acquired territories.
Until 1887, but. little progress had
been made in English-spealing coun-
tries. There had been no proper text
book in English for learning Volapiik.
One had been published at Glasgow,
but had done more harm than good,
being full of blunders and absurdities.
In 1887 the new language sprang into
great prominence in the United States,
Canada and England, and widespread
interest was excited. 1t is generally adj
naitted that this result was due largely
to the efforts of Col. Charles e. Sprague.
of New York, who was chiefly instru-
mental in introducing Volapiik to the
English-spealsing public. Having read
an article by Joseph Bernhaupt in
German paper, Col. Sprague had COM
menced the study in 1885, attracted by
the novelty and led by natural fond
ness for language-study, but without
much confidence in the permanent
value of the system. He had attained
the various degrees conferred for pro-
ficiency in the language, and had CORE
sponded with many of the Volapiikists
of the world. He found, however, that
while many friends were interested in
the general idea, few were willing to
take the trouble, as he had, to dig it
out through the medium of a foreign
language. It was evident that an Eng
hsh textbook was imperatively need
ed, and Col. Sprague felt it a public
duty to write and publish a handbook
of Volaptk, which was very widely cir
culated and was the means of interest
ing many persons in the subject, while
the author spent much time in giving
further information by means of lee
lures, debates, lessons and articles.
One of the urgent needs of the gov
eminent was dictionary, and to create
the first dictionary in English of new
language is q herculean task. But the
man was again found for the work, and
it was successfully accomplished by the
unfagging industry and ability of M.
w. Wood, captain and assistant surgeon
of the United States army. Capt. Wood
retains his interest in Volapilz, and has
done much to promote the language.
There is now North American Vol
apuk association which ably carries
forward the work begun by these pio-
neers. Volaptlz is gaining in favor in
this country, its advantages obtaining
recognition in proportion as it's purposes
and it's nature are understood, ignorance
of it always being behind any ridicule
or belittling which it may receive.
ALFRED A. Posi-.