The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-30
ENGLISH AS 1T IS WRITTEN.
Queer Phrases of Native and Foreign
BoOkmakers.

Queer Phrases OF Native and Foreign
Bookmakers.
All editors are astonished at the poor
English written by many of their would
be contributors, whose spelling and PEN
manship Indicate that they have had a
fair degree OF education. Usually this
stu pidity in the use and choice of words
seems TO arise from a lack in the sense of
hunor. Even a university course, as
everyone knows, cannot make up for
this essential quality which is absolutely
necessary to literary success. writer
need not be humorous, but he must have
a quick perception 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 express
sion whicH battles the most learned to
understand; that Maud had grown
weary OF setting III the porch'; that her
lips were "Wreathed IN smile that
strangely reminded me OF an ange":
and that "her strange nature enchanted
my fancy" Also. only SUCH one, or
person phenomenally ignorant, could
conclude a stanZa OF poetry, as did one
young woman, with the line:
May gladness and JOY be your DOOM"
This individual may have been related
to hmm who chanted:
''Oh, put me in no gepulcher,
or ulm vault, sad ana gloomy;
But let my LarroW bed be lain
Within some meadow roomy.'
When even native Americans make
such havoc with their languages it Is not
singular that foreigners have severe
struggles 10 master IL. Translators who
CONSIDER themselves competent to ex-
press III English the literature of their
own lands sometimes prove themselves
amusiDgly unequal to the TASK. This
was the case with the courageous gentle
man who sent 20 an editor q story con-
tanning the following passages:
He said with all air OF most deSpls-
ing disdaln."
His whole attire gave him a most dis
tinguished and gentlemanly appear
ance."
oh burOted Marguerite, terrified"
TO solicit iii the name of the Ger
maine republic the annexation OF his
native city 10 France
He wore velvet trousers, all spotted
with ink"
lie was beginning to resume him
self"
at seemed as though his heart would
bound from It's envelope"
she gave him by look most eloquent
thank"
no ram, pushed by the WIND, heated
his handsome face'
distinguished foreigner, whose
works had been successfully introduced
INTO America by q weli-known pub
lsner, wrote HIM grateful letter. in
which occurred these sentences: You
built up fame tor me whole the world
over . me. who did not proceed the
study Of English further than yes and
no Yet this ls strange world, and l
marvel at the fame | have been bestowed
upon. Well.' he adds, mod
estly, the Americans have plenty
money, and they part with it when best
humbugged. u. L. Barnum.) My re-
CARDS 70 all friends whose names L have
managed to forget My special requests
TO the old gentleman who heard loud,
ana the school teacher MISS
Another wrote, under similar circum-
stances: Accept my the best thanks TOR
your venerable nelp in my troubles. AS
long as l Will live l will think how | can
revange your kindness. kate Epson
Clark in The Outlook.