Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-12
ENGLISH AS IT IS WRITTEN.
Queer Phrases of Native and Foreign
BOOkmakers.

Queer Phrases of Native and Foreign
BOOkmakers.
Kate Epson Clark in the Outlook.
All editors are astonished at the poor En-
glish written by many of their would-be
contributors, whose spelling and penman-
ship indicate that they have had a fair de-
gree of education. Usually this stupidity
in the use and choice of words seems to
arise from a lack in the sense of humor.
Even a university course, as every one
knows. cannot make UP for this essential
quality, which is absolutely necessary to
literary success. A writer need not be hui
morous, but he must have quick percep-
ton of what is ridiculous in order to avoid
making himself so.
Thus, only person deficient in this vital
respect could have written of her heroine
that she had deep, dark hair" that she
had that rareneSs of expression Whic n
battles the most learned to understands"
that MAUD had grown weary of setting
in the porch that her lips were ''wreathed
in smile that strangely reminded me of
an angel" and that her strange nature
enchanted my fancy" Also. only such a
one, or a person phenomenally ignorant,
could conclude stahza of poetry, as did
one young woman, with the line:
May gladness and JOY be your doom.
This individual may have been related to
him who chanted:
"Oh, put me in sepulcher,
Or dim vault, sad and gloomy;
But let my narrow bed be lain
Within some meadow roomy."
When even native Americans make such
havoc with their language it Is not singu-
lar that foreigners have severe struggles
to master it. TranSlators who consider
themselves competent to express IN English
the literature of their own lands sometimes
prove themselves amusingly unequal to the
task. This was the case with the cour-
ageous gentleman who sent to an editor a
story containing the following passages:
HE said with an air Of most desptsing
disdain."
His whole attire gave him a most dis
tinguished and gentlemanly appearance"
"'Ohr bursted Marguerite. terrified"
ITO solicit in the name Of the Germaine
republic the annexation of his native city
to France"
HE wore velvet trouser, all spotted with
ink"
HE was beginning to resume himself"
"It seemed as though his heart would
bound from its envelope"
"She gave him by look a most eloquent
thank"
"The rain, pushed by the wind. heated
his handsome face.
A distinguished foreigner, whose works
had been successfully introduced into
America by a well-known publisher, wrote
him a grateful letter, in which occurred
these sentences: You built up fame for
me whole the world over me, who
did not proceed the study Of English fur
Their than yes and no. Yet this is a
strange world, and I marvel at the fame
have been bestowed upon. Well,
he adds. modestly, 1.-THE American have
plenty money, and they part with it when
best humbugged. P. T. Barnum) My re-
CARDS to all friends whose names I have
managed to forget. My spec1al requests
to the old gentleman who heard loud, and
the schoolteacher miss"
Another wrote. under similar circum-
stances: accept my the best thanks for
your venerable help in my troubles. AS
long as I will live I will think how I can
revange your kindness"