[The Flint Town Council has censured the L. & N. W. Railway
for dismissing some of its servants for ignorance of the
English language.]
Would you tell me, Porter, if the next train is the one for
Aberystwyth?
I am really very much obliged for your reply, but as I have not a
Cymric dictionary at hand, I am totally unable even to guess at your
meaning.
As the man points to the train which is now at the platform, and nods
vigorously, I suppose he means me to get in. Still, the fact that it
has "Llanrhychwyn" on it makes me a little doubtful whether I shall
ever reach Aberystwyth if I enter it.
I am grateful for your attention, Guard, but it was a foot-warmer that
I asked for, not the newspaper-boy.
As I have just been hurled down an embankment and find myself sitting
much bruised in a shallow pond in a field close to the line, I really
fancy that the Welsh-speaking signalman at the adjoining cabin has
failed to understand the message wired to him in English from our last
stopping station.
I should be glad, Stationmaster, if you would kindly have a telegram
sent to my friends saying that I have only four ribs broken.
As you do not appear to understand what I say, and as I suppose there
is nobody who knows English in this desolate Welsh valley where the
sufferers from the accident are lying, perhaps you will kindly have us
all sent back to Shrewsbury as soon as possible.
The man lying next to me, whose arm is hurt, says that the train
was not going to Aberystwyth at all. So perhaps it is as well that
circumstances have prevented my proceeding further in it.
We should undoubtedly have been much better off if this accident had
happened to us in France or Germany, because then we should have been
able to secure the services of the railway interpreter.
Thank Heaven! I am back at Chester, where the hotel people _do_ talk
English; and in future I shall vote steadily at elections against
any party that does not make the total suppression of all so-called
"national tongues" within the British Isles a part of its recognised
programme.
* * * * *