The Editor much regrets that, owing to the numerous Esperantic
week-ends, and the work connected with his relinquishing the hon.
secretaryship of the London Esperanto Club, he has not been able to
give the usual attention to his postbag. He therefore trusts that
those who have not received prompt replies will excuse the delay.
Next month he will leave town about September 15th, and no letters
can be forwarded for a week or so. The October number should,
however, be ready as usual.
* * *
In case any old subscribers should have failed to notice the
announcement on last issue's cover _re_ the increase in price of
back numbers, the time limit is extended till September 10th. All
wishing to complete their series should send before that date, as the
price of Nos. 2 to 8 (inclusive) will thereafter be raised to
sixpence a copy.
Those willing to dispose of No. 1 will greatly oblige by informing
the Editor of the lowest price they will accept for the same.
* * *
The use of the apostrophe in Esperanto prose is not to be encouraged,
and has never appeared in this Gazette. It is only permissible under
the following conditions:--The A of the definite article may be
omitted when it follows a preposition ending in E. _La domo de l'
mastro_ is thus met with occasionally. But this elision is not
permissible in any other instance, even when the substantive
following the article begins with a vowel. Thus _La amikoj_, and
never _L' amikoj_. But the question of elision is better left
alone.
* * *
Among the useful little suffixes which do so much to simplify our
vocabulary, perhaps the most troublesome to the beginner are IG and
IĜ. Our good friend, the Rev. R. A. Davis, has favoured us with
another of his invaluable aids to memory in this connection. "We
kill, or _cause to be_ killed, pIGs, in order that they may
_become_ sausIĜes." Who can now confuse them!
* * *
The Penny Text-Book is now on the market, and has probably been seen
by many of our readers, for the publishers are sparing no efforts to
bring this useful and somewhat humorous booklet into notice. Such a
sentence as: _La leonoj estis tiklataj de la lunatiko_ is bound
to produce such an effect on the student's brain that the agreement
of participles can no longer be a source of doubt.
* * *
Another step in the right direction is the publication of the _Note
Book_, a new monthly paper containing articles and lessons in
Esperanto. Esperantists should send for a specimen copy (price 2d.)
from the Editor. Annual sub., 2s. 6d., also received.
* * *
All Club Members are invited to the Monday meetings at the Club
Café, 5, Bishopsgate Street Within, from 5.30 to 7; also from 7 to 9
at 100, Gracechurch Street (by the courtesy of the Remington
Typewriter firm). These meetings have been especially interesting and
instructive of late, as several foreign Esperantists have been
present.
* * *
We advise those of our readers who are desirous of setting about
founding Esperanto groups to carefully read page 52 (No. 4) of
The Esperantist. The excellent articles appearing from time to
time in the Press also contain valuable information and hints. The
chief examples not hitherto referred to are:--_Ethics_, page 244 (July),
by H. J. Bridges; _The Ilford Guardian_ (August 5th), by John Kent;
_The Herts Advertiser and St. Albans Times_ (August 13th), by J.
Catton; _The Daily Express_ (August 17th), by Miss Lawrence;
_The Star_ (August 18th), by a humorous critic, and _The St.
James' Gazette_ (August 15th).
* * *
The ever-increasing number of the clergy taking up Esperanto calls
forth the suggestion: Why not have a sermon on the humanitarian
nature of our movement?
One often hears of Peace sermons; but surely the adoption of
Esperanto will do more to spread the Peace movement than can no end
of propaganda on former lines.
* * *
Some correspondents are always interested in knowing some of the
items to be looked forward to next month. The twelfth issue should
contain a new hymn by Ben Elmy, with charming music by J. Hadfield. A
treatise on the effect of physical culture on mental power by J. F.
H. Woodward; another Indian tale by Alfred T. Simper; and a humorous
skit, entitled _La Libertempulo_, from the pen of H. W.
Southcombe (a new contributor), will, when added to the poetry page,
help to provide, it is hoped, a number of considerable interest. Club
news, from two to four pages, will appear regularly, so long as
The Esperantist is recognised as the only official organ of
the Association.