Our readers will be pleased to learn that the Official exemption, of
which we wrote last month, has arrived, and our good chief has
returned to Warsaw, to continue his pro-Esperanto work instead of
journeying to Mandchuria. Although we regret the circumstances which
brought about this exemption from military service, and would wish
that Dr. Zamenhof were stronger and in better health, we are
exceedingly glad that he will be able to bring the true Seal of the
Language to Boulogne in August, and will thus give the Congress that
significance which we had begun to fear would be wanting.
Doubtless something will there be arranged concerning the
long-considered International Committee. It seems to us that the
foundation of such an organisation is absolutely necessary for
authoritatively incorporating additional words for the growing needs
of a living language. Of course, only those roots already in the
_Universala Vortaro_ are the present fundamental roots of the
language, and all other words found to be necessary have been
introduced by various Esperantists. Even the creator of the language
himself has given his sanction to these latter words, not as
law-giver, but merely as the Esperantist most competent to make the
selection.
We all, therefore, await with impatience the foundation of this
central Committee. Naturally it must be _International_; but we fear
that our distant readers in America, Africa, Asia and Australia will
have to send their suggestions in writing, direct to Dr. Zamenhof for
his consideration, in order that they may be submitted to the
Boulogne Congress, which will probably include members from almost
all European countries. But maybe the members of our latest Group,
that in the Indian town of Udipi, will not be able to make their
voices heard there with their almost as young Group-members in
Folkestone.
The foundation of a Group in the latter town is most gratifying, and
makes us think once more of the summer trip to the _Five Harbours_,
which we have now in mind.
Captain Capé, who will, of course, be present, has just given the
Esperantists a neatly got-up and good translation of _The First
Chapter of my Reminicences_ (price 8d.), by François Coppée, the
famous French author, who gives his warm approval to Esperanto. Also
our well-known author, Sam Meyer, has just published in brochure form
the humorous one-act comedy, "The Tureen" (16pp., 5d.).
But from Peru comes a most noteworthy technical book, _The Resistance
of Iron Columns_, by Dr. Federico Villareal. It is a large 69-page
work, in Spanish and Esperanto, which undoubtedly strengthens our
Scientific Library.
Professor Cart, whose bulky _Esperanta Ligilo_ is the Braille organ
for the Blind, has just composed a versified translation of _The
Cleft Tower_, an ancient French legend. This pleasing work is
published by the Esperanto Society, Ltd., of which many of our
readers are shareholders.
Owing to the frequent appearance of Esperanto booklets, published at
one shilling or less by private individuals, we shall be much obliged
if the authors will kindly send ten each of all such publications to
us, with an invoice. We will gladly remit either in other books
(according to value) or in postage stamps.
The attention of all Esperantists is called to the four pages of our
cover. On these is to be found useful information, which will
facilitate International Commerce. We indeed believe that in a few
years it will be quite a usual thing to send a penny or two, say to
Germany, for those pretty pins, which the Germans make better than
we; and, of course, Germans, on their part, will conveniently send us
their small orders for buns and odd cakes, which we make so much more
solid than they!
Announcements in Esperanto magazines must bring International orders,
and as soon as we freely adopt Esperanto for commercial purposes, all
merchants will hasten to master the language. We have already
received several capital business catalogues and brochures. But
perhaps M. Jadeau's letter[111] will have a peculiar interest for
readers of The Esperantist, as it was in reply to an English
inquirer concerning an advertisement on our cover. Such letters as
these prove the value and suitability of Esperanto commercially.
Several correspondents have written from time to time, proposing that
we should touch upon grammatical points which had apparently not
received adequate attention in our text-books. Probably Dr. Lloyd's
new book will explain such. But, if not, we will endeavour to supply
the necessary explanation in The Esperantist.
Regarding Dr. Lloyd's _The Esperanto Language Practically Considered
and Described_, we have already received many most appreciative
criticisms; and one devoted fellow worker has even composed verses,
which we print below.[112]
At the close of January last a most interesting lecture on Esperanto
was delivered by our esteemed contributor, Mr. Paul Mathews, M.A., at
the Pioneer Club, the Members of which listened with interest, and
warmly applauded the speaker.
In conclusion, we will relate in a few words the amusements which we
Members of the London Club employ at our Monday meetings at the Club
Café, 5, Bishopsgate Street Within, E.C. We do so believing that the
good progress already made among our experts proves that such
amusements provide a more agreeable form of study than a simple (or
complicated) text-book.
To begin with, we adopt the International custom of having something
to eat, chatting the while either in Esperanto or in English. Then,
about 7h. 5m., we cross the road to the rooms kindly lent us by the
Remington Typewriter Company. There we sit in circles and join in
various games. For example, one member of the circle gives a
sentence, as the beginning of a story. His (or her) neighbour adds
another, and so on. The result is indeed _astounding_, and we often
threaten to spring one of these stories on our readers! Then,
perhaps, one present goes out while we select some object, about
which he asks questions until he discovers it. Of course, the
questions and all words in these games must be spoken in Esperanto.
Another greatly appreciated game is "I packed in my trunk." In this
case the first member of the circle says, maybe, "A hat"; his
neighbour has to repeat _a hat_, and adds (maybe) _a toothbrush_. And
the matter goes on, each person having to repeat all the things
already stuffed into this mysterious trunk by his neighbours, and
also to add something more, until, finally, one can no longer
remember the long catalogue, and dolefully announces: "And the trunk
was full!"
But the most instructive game is this: Mr. A. pronounces an English
phrase, and asks another member to translate it into Esperanto--a
capital wit-sharpener.
The Editor.