Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-11-23
ENGLISH AsUISAT TIMES WRITTEN.
Some of the Queer Phrases OF Native and
Foreign Bookmakers.

Some of the Queer Phrases OF Native and
Foreign Bookmakers.
All editors are astonishcd mt the
poor English written by many Of
their would be contributors, whose
spelling and penmanship indicate
that they have had fair degree of
education. Usually this stupidity in
tho use and choice of words seems
to arise from a lack in the sense of
humor. Even university course,
as every one knows, cannot make
up for this essential quality, which
is absolutely necessary to literary
success. A writer need not DO hu.
morous, but he must have a quick
perception of what is ridiculous, in
order to avoid making himself so.
Thus only II 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 which battles
tho most learned to underestimate"
that Maud had grown weary of
setting in the porch" that her lips
wero "wreathed in a smile that
strangely reminded me of an angel, I"
and that "her strange nature ell.
chained my fancy" Also, only such
a one, or person phenomenally ig-
norant, could conclude stanza of
poetry, as did one young woman,
with the line:
May glatlness and Joy be your doom.
This individual may have been re-
lated to him who chanted:
Oh, put me in no sopulcher,
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 Ian
guage it is not singular that foreign
ers have severe struggles to master
it. Translators who consider them
selves competent to express in Eng
lish the literature of their own lands
sometimes prove themselves anus
ingly unequal to tho task. This was
the case with the courageous gentle
man who sent to an editor story
containing the following passages:
He said, with an air Of most despising dis
dain.
His whole attire gave him most distin.
guishcd and gentlemanly appearance.
"Oh!" bursted Marguerite, terrified.
To solicit in the name Of the Gcrmane
public the annexation Of his native city to
France.
He wore velvet trouser all spotted with ink.
He was beginning to resume himself.
1t seemed as though his heart would bound
from its envelope.
She gave him by look most eloquent thank.
The rain, pushed by the wind, beated his
handsome face
A distinguished foreigner, whose
works had been successfully intro
duced into America by we'll known
publisher, wrote him grateful let
ter, in which occurred these SELL
fences: "You built up fame for me
whole the world over-me, who did
not proceed the study of English
further than yes and no Yet
this is strange world, and I mar
vel at the fame / have been bestow-
ell upon. WE'LL" he adds modestly,
1.-THE American have plenty money,
and they part with it when best
humbugged. Up. II. Barnum.) My
regards to all friends whose names
I have managed to forget. My spo-
oial requests to the old gentleman
who heard loud and the school
teacher miss.
Another wrote, under similar cir
cumstances: Accept my tho best
thanks for your venerable help in
my troubles. As long as will live
! will think how can revange your
kindness. kate Epson Clark In
Outlook.