The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-18
AMUSING BLUNDERS.
SOME FAMOUS INSTANCES OF TYPO
GRAPHICAL ERRORS.



One can find mistakes In all publica-
lions, books magazines and newspapers.
Perhaps the most perfected system of
proofreading extant Is that employed by
the London Times. Once upon time
Lord Winchester wagered that he would
find no less than 80 misprints in six num-
bers of The Times. The wager was for
$500, with $50 additional for every blum
der, more or less. Six numbers of The
Times were taken at random, and three
misprints were discovered. Lord Win
chester lost nearly 1000
Many years ago in France q book was
| published which the author had given
careful revision. He made his boasts that
| the volume was free from errors. When
he critically examined the printed book,
| be discovered no less than 300 typograph
| ical errors. Becoming so enraged over his
discovery, he died in n fit of anger.
Kingsley once said, after he had been
severely handled by the printer, 81 wonder
| that the Newgate calendar records no case
of an author being hanged for killing his
printer"
| There are said to be but three books free
| from errors-an American reprint of
Dante, London edition of Horace and
the Oxford Bible. When their Bible was
| published, the professors OF the University
of Oxford offered a reward of a guinea for
every error that might be found. The re-
ward was unclaimed until, some years
after, keen eyed critic discovered an
] error which he pointed out and was given
the reward. The mistake was corrected,
and it is now said that the Oxford Bible
is entirely free from typographical errors.
During the last century the professors
of the Edinburgh university attempted to
publish book which should be perfect
specimen Of typographical accuracy. Ev-
cry precauton was taken. Six experienced
proofreaders were employed They devot-
cd many hours to the reading of each page,
which, when thought perfect was placed
upon the walls of the college and kept
there two or three weeks, with the notice
that $3.50 would be paid to any one who
would find an error. None was found,
and the professors congratulated them
selves upon their success. The book was
published, and upon examination the first
thing they found was an error in the title
page and another in the first opening
chapter.
The Mazarin Bible, published more than
400 years ago, was full Of errors. In an
edition published 200 years later the word
"not'' was omitted from the seventh COM
ceived the name of the "Adulterous BIZ
ble." In the printed directions for con-
Quoting Catholic services appeared the
line, "Here the priest will take off his Gu
lotte" The word calotte means an eccle-
siastical cap or inter Culotte means In
broad Saxon a mans underclothes. A
blunder equally scandalous was made
in review of historical work as follows:
cit was we'll understood what were the
plans Of the opposition after the queens
chemise." For "chemise" read demise"
The Rev. DIR. Todd was given some
relics to present to a museum. In present.
ing them he alluded to "the lives of the
saints" The remarks when published
alluded to the Giles of the saints" which
so enraged the giver that nc wrote to DR..
Todd and demanded their return.
At large public demonstration in Eng
land popular and prominent man arose
to speak and was greeted with enthusiastic
cheering and shouts. In speaking OF 1t
the newspaper said
1.-THE vast concourse rent the air with
their shouts"
Some years ago the Philadelphia Post
published this erratum SIN our last issue
a biography Of Newton was said to contain
this, Yes; the immoral Newton lived just
! like other men, 1t should have read the
immortal Newton
A New York editor who wrote an obit-
uary on the death of q man of some Celeb
rity said, "He began life as "a legal prac-
titioner, but was diverted from it by q
! love of letters He did not see the proof
} and was confronted the next morning by
this, "He began life as a legal politician,
but he was diverted from it by love OF
bitters."
A convivial host once offered toast to
woman at dinner party. He said,
! "Woman-man without her would be a
savage" When the words appeared in
print the next day, they read, Woman
without her man would be n sausage"
In the beginning of the present century
! DIR. Kunze, prominent Lutheran minis
! ter of New York, wrote a communication
! on vexed chronological question. He
! spoke of the Gregorian style and men,
) toned Pope Gregory. They printed 1t
Tom Gregory. The learned doctor went
to the editor and requested an erratum to
specify instead of Tom Gregory, Pope
Gregory. The correction was made to
"Pope Tom Gregory" The doctor made
another attempt with the result, "Tom
Gregory the pope" Fearing to lose all
his reputation on the subject, the doctor
submitted to the inevitable and asked for
no further correction.
A newspaper in Wisconsin made a ludi-
crous blunder through mistake in pune
tuation, as follows: "The procession at
Judge Orton's funeral was very fine and
nearly two miles in length, as was the
beautiful prayer OF the Rev. DIR. Swing of
; Chicago"
A few years ago the journalist who Is
|, widely known as "Gath" wrote Fourth
!, of July article. With fervid eloquence
he told how the effete monarohies OF the
. old world trembled in their boots when
! they read the immortal words penned by
. Thomas jefferson. "Thrones reeled. I"
wrote the impassioncd Gath. The next
morning he saw in type, "Thomas reeled."
The story is told that Ernest Renan
, once had occasion to telegraph across the
British channel the subject of proposed
lecture of his In Westminster abbey. The
subject as written by him was "The In
fluence Of Rome on the Formation Of
Christianity" 1t was published In Eng