A short time since I received a well-printed but mysterious booklet,
entitled: Tri L. Zamenhofin kansainvälinen apukieli Esperanto.
Kielioppi sekä Esimerkki ja Harjoitussarja. Suomenkielelle
Muodostaneet._
At first I thought it was some new mysterious Volapük, but soon
discovered that brethren in the _Land of Lakes and Marshes_ now have
their own Esperanto textbook (72 pages, 1s.).
Up to the present there are not many Esperantists in Finland, and
those who already exist must, doubtless, have learned from the
Swedish Textbook of Dr. Henriclundquest.
It is now to be hoped that our Army will gain many recruits among the
dwellers in this little-known land.
Possibly readers will be interested by a few words on this language,
which is quite different from most European tongues. Neither Romance
nor Teutonic, Finnish somewhat resembles Turkish, Tartar, Lapp, and
Magyar. It is a member of the Turanian family.
The Substantives never vary; but, in order to indicate number, sex,
etc., other words are added. Prepositions and Pronouns are added to
the words to which they refer. The verb has only Present and Past
tenses. When desirous of using the Future, one has to add another
word to the Present.
Truly, at first sight, this tongue does not seem to sound well, but
the critic Rask considered it to be the most euphonious of all
national languages.
In testifying to the rapid progress made by Esperanto in the
civilised world, it is assuredly important to be able to cite
grammars in such little-known idioms, but another circumstance now
presents itself to indicate this continued progress.
The long-expected _International Scientific Review_ is now published,
and should please all who have impatiently awaited it. Although
appearing only at the end of February, it is styled the January
number. Subscribers are requested to bear in mind that it contains a
review of the scientific events of the preceding month.
Both exterior and contents are very good, and I hope that the devoted
M. Fruictier will find many Collaborators and Subscribers, so that
the Review may be thoroughly successful. Here are a few excerpts from
the foreword.
"Of old it hath been said: Nothing new under the sun; we can now
proclaim: Something new under the sun. Here is a proof, a palpable
proof, that Esperanto grows, progresses, lives. The foundation of a
scientific Review edited wholly in the international language is
assuredly a most novel, significant event, full of promise. Past is
the period of pure philanthropy; speedily comes the time of a
practical, of a really useful employment of Esperanto.... We shall
take steps to give translations of highly important works; we shall
analyse those which, for lack of space, we cannot translate; finally,
we shall report in brief the contents of the scientific organs of
divers lands.... The world, which has mocked, which has called us
Utopians, the world will then have to repent its folly. To worthless
objections we can now submit facts; to the self-seeking offer
immediate benefit at will; insignificant opponents we can refute by
the celebrated names of our renowned Patrons and Collaborators. Such
is our purpose. May our friends not permit our enterprise fruitlessly
to perish. We have created a most powerful lever; like Archimedes, we
now need but a fulcrum. Give us that fulcrum, and, together, we will
raise the world."
Considering that, up to the present, scientific men cannot become
informed of the new results of scientific research unless they know
at least English, French, and German, it is quite obvious that this
scientific organ can be very useful to them.
The Review is published monthly, contains 32 pages, and the
subscription (6s.) can be sent to 41, Outer Temple, W.C.
This is the sixth number of The Esperantist, and, during the
half-year of its existence, it has gained a world-wide circulation.
At present more than thirty per cent. of the Subscribers dwell
abroad. The Editor believes it would be most interesting if friends
would kindly send _short articles and letters about the daily life,
memorable customs, etc., of their own lands_. In an Esperanto
Gazette, more than elsewhere, such interesting information should be
expected; and, if our friends will do this, the inhabitants of divers
lands will naturally learn much about their hitherto almost unknown
neighbours. As a beginning, in this issue are the articles on
_Italian Conscription_ and _First Impressions of the Houses of
Parliament_. If these prove interesting, let us hope that many
similar items will be forthcoming. At present one often forgets that
reading can instruct, as well as amuse. See the advertisement of one
of our contemporaries: "This Gazette is only to amuse, not to
instruct!!" If friends will coöperate, The Esperantist
purposes to instruct and amuse.