Part 9
The gentleman holds the lady precisely as in the polka. Beginning with the left foot, he slides it forward, then brings up the right foot to the place of the left, slides the left foot forward, and springs or hops on this foot. This movement is repeated to the right. He begins with the right foot, slides it forward, brings up the left foot to the place of the right foot, slides the right foot forward again, and hops upon it. The gentleman springs twice on the left foot, turning half round; twice on the right foot; twice _encore_ on the left foot, turning half round; and again twice on the right foot, turning half round. Beginning again, he proceeds as before. The lady begins with the right foot, and her step is the same in principle as the gentleman's. Vary, by a _reverse turn_; or by going in a straight line round the room. Double, if you like, each part, by giving four bars to the first part, and four bars to the second part. The _time_ may be stated as precisely the same as in the polka; but let it not be forgotten that _La Schottische_ ought to be danced _much slower_.
156. Country Dances. _Sir Roger de Coverley_.
First lady and bottom gentleman advance to centre, salute, and retire; first gentleman and bottom lady, same. First lady and bottom gentleman advance to centre, turn, and retire; first gentleman and bottom lady the same. Ladies promenade, turning off to the right down the room, and back to places, while gentlemen do the same, turning to the left; top couple remain at bottom; repeat to the end of dance.
157. La Polka Country Dances.
All form two lines, ladies on the right, gentlemen on the left.
_Figure_. Top lady and second gentleman heel and toe (polka step) across to each other's place--second lady and top gentleman the same. Top lady and second gentleman retire back to places--second lady and top gentleman the same. Two couples polka step down the middle and back again--two first couples polka waltz. First couple repeat with the third couple, then with fourth, and so on to the end of dance.
158. The Highland Reel.
This dance is performed by the company arranged in parties of three, along the room in the following manner: a lady between two gentlemen, in double rows. All advance and retire--each lady then performs the reel with the gentleman on her right hand, and retires with the opposite gentleman to places--hands three round and back again--all six advance and retire--then lead through to the next trio, and continue the figure to the end of the room. Adopt the Highland step, and music of three-four time.
159. Terms used to Describe the Movements of Dances.
_Balancez_.--Set to partners.
_Chaine Anglaise_.--The top and bottom couples right and left.
_Chaine Anglaise double_.--The right and left double.
_Chaine des Dames_.--The ladies' chain.
_Chaine des Dames double_.--The ladies' chain double, which is performed by all the ladies commencing at the same time.
_Chassez_.--Move to the right and left.
_Chassez croisez_.--Gentlemen change places with partners, and back again.
_Demie Chaine Anglaise_.--The four opposite persons half right and left.
_Demie Promenade_.--All eight half promenade.
_Dos-à-dos_.--The two opposite persons pass round each other.
_Demie Moulinet_.--The ladies all advance to the centre, giving hands, and return to places.
_La Grande Chaine_.--All eight chassez quite round, giving alternately right and left hands to partners, beginning with the right.
_Le Grand Rond_.--All join hands and advance and retire twice.
_Pas d'Allemande_.--The gentlemen turn the partners under their arms.
_Traversez_.--The two opposite persons change places.
_Vis-à-vis_.--The opposite partner.
[THE HUMAN BODY HAS 240 BONES.]
160. Scandal--Live it down.
Should envious tongues some malice frame, To soil and tarnish your good name, Live it down!
Grow not disheartened; 'tis the lot Of all men, whether good or not: Live it down!
*Him not in answer, but be calm; For silence yields a rapid balm: Live it down!
Go not among your friends and say, Evil hath fallen on my way: Live it down!
Far better thus yourself alone To suffer, than with friends bemoan The trouble that is all your own: Live it down!
What though men _evil_ call your _good!_ So CHRIST Himself, misunderstood, Was nailed unto a cross of wood! And now shall you for lesser pain, Your inmost soul for ever stain, By rendering evil back again? Live it down!
161. Errors in Speaking.
There are several kinds of errors in speaking. The most objectionable of them are those in which words are employed that are unsuitable to convey the meaning intended. Thus, a person wishing to express his intention of going to a given place, says, "I _propose_ going," when, in fact, he _purposes_ going. The following affords an amusing illustration of this class of error:--A venerable matron was speaking of her son, who, she said, was quite stage-struck. "In fact," remarked the old lady, "he is going to a _premature_ performance this evening!" Considering that most _amateur_ performances are _premature_, it cannot be said that this word was altogether misapplied; though, evidently, the maternal intention was to convey quite another meaning.
162. Other Errors
arise from the substitution of sounds similar to the words which should be employed; that is, spurious words instead of genuine ones. Thus, some people say "renumerative," when they mean "remunerative." A nurse, recommending her mistress to have a _perambulator_ for her child, advised her to purchase a _preamputator_!
163. Other Errors (2)
are occasioned by imperfect knowledge of the English grammar: thus, many people say, "Between you and I," instead of "Between you and _me_." And there are numerous other departures from the rules of grammar, which will be pointed out hereafter.
164. By the Misuse of the Adjective:
"What _beautiful_ butter!" "What a _nice_ landscape!" They should say, "What a _beautiful_ landscape!" "What _nice_ butter!" Again, errors are frequently occasioned by the following causes:
165. By the Mispronunciation of Words.
Many persons say _pro_noun_ciation_ instead of _pronunciation_; others say pro-nun'-she-a-shun, instead of pro-nun-ce-a-shun.
166. By the Misdivision of Words and syllables.
This defect makes the words _an ambassador_ sound like _a nam-bassador_, or _an adder_ like _a nadder_.
167. By Imperfect Enunciation,
as when a person says _hebben_ for _heaven_, _ebber_ for _ever_, _jocholate_ for _chocolate_, &c.
168. By the Use of Provincialisms,
or words retained from various dialects, of which we give the following examples:
169. Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Suffolk, &c.
Foyne, twoyne, for _fine_, _twine_; ineet for _night_; a-mon for _man_; poo for _pull_.
170. Cumberland, Scotland, &c.
Cuil, bluid, for _cool_, _blood_; spwort, seworn, whoam, for _sport_, _scorn_, _home_; a-theere for _there_; e-reed, seeven, for _red_, _seven_; bleedin' for _bleeding_; hawf for _half_; saumon for _salmon_.
171. Devonshire, Cornwall, &c.
F-vind for _find_; fet for _fetch_; wid for _with_; zee for _see_; tudder for _the other_; drash, droo, for _thrash_, and _through_; gewse for _goose_, &c.
172. Essex, London, &c.
V-wiew for _view;_ vent for _went;_ vite for _white;_ ven for _when;_ vot for _what_. Londoners are also prone to say Toosday for _Tuesday;_ noomerous for _numerous_; noospaper for _newspaper_, &c.
[THE MUSICAL SCALE WAS INVENTED IN 1022.]
173. Hereford, &c.:
Clom for _climb;_ hove for _heave;_ puck for _pick;_ rep for _reap;_ sled for _sledge_.
174. Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, &c.
Housen for _houses;_ a-ioyne for _lane;_ mon for _man;_ thik for _this;_ brig for _bridge;_ thack, pick, for _thatch, pitch_.
175. Yorkshire, &c.
Foyt for _foot;_ foight for _fight;_ o-noite, foil, coil, hoil, for _note, foal, coal, hole;_ loyne for _lane;_ o-nooin, gooise, fooil, tooil, for _noon, goose, fool, tool;_ spwort, scworn, whoam, for _sport, scorn, home;_ g-yet for _gate_.
176. Examples of Provincial Dialects.
The following will be found very amusing:
177. The Cornish Schoolboy.
An ould man found, one day, a young gentleman's portmantle, as he were a going to es dennar; he took'd et en and gived et to es wife, and said, "Mally, here's a roul of lither, look, see, I suppoase some poor ould shoemaker or other have los'en; tak'en, and put'en a top of the teaster of tha bed; he'll be glad to hab'en agin sum day, I dear say." The ould man, Jan, that was es neame, went to es work as before. Mally then opened the portmantle, and found en et three hunderd pounds. Soon after thes, the ould man not being very well, Mally said, "Jan, I'ave saaved away a little money, by the bye, and as thee caan't read or write, thee shu'st go to scool" (he were then nigh threescore and ten). He went but a very short time, and comed hoam one day and said, "Mally, I waint go to scool no more, 'caase the childer do be laffen at me: they can tell their letters, and I caan't tell my A, B, C, and I wud rayther go to work agen." "Do as thee wool," ses Mally. Jan had not been out many days, afore Vhe young gentleman came by that lost the portmantle, and said, "Well, my ould man, did'ee see or hear tell o' sich a thing as a portmantle?" "Port-mantle, sar, was't that un, sumthing like thickey?" (pointing to one behind es saddle). "I vound one the t'other day zackly like that." "Where es, et?" "Come along, I carr'd'en and gov'en to my ould 'ooman, Mally; thee sha't av'en, nevr vear.--Mally, where es that roul of lither I broft en tould thee to put en a top o' the teaster of the bed, _afore I go'd to scool?_" "Drat thee emperance," said the young gentleman; "thee art bewattled; _that were afore I were born._" So he druv'd off, and left all the three hunderd pounds with Jan and Mally.
178. Yorkshire.
Men an' women is like so monny cards, played wi' be two oppoanents, Time an' Eternity: Time gets a gam' noo an' then, and hez t' pleasure o' keepin' his cards for a bit, bud Eternity's be far t'better hand, an' proves, day be day, an' hoor be hoor, 'at he's winnin incalcalably fast.--"Hoo sweet, hoo varry sweet is life!" as t' fiee said when he wur stuck i' treacle!
179. Effect of Provincialisms
Persons bred in these localities, and in Ireland and Scotland, retain more or less of their provincialisms; and, therefore, when they move into other districts, they become conspicuous for their peculiarities of speech. Often they appear vulgar and uneducated, when they are not so. It is, therefore, desirable for all persons to approach the recognised standard of correctness as nearly as possible.
180. Correction of Errors in Speaking.
To correct these errors by a systematic course of study would involve a closer application than most persons could afford, and require more space than we can devote to the subject. We will therefore give numerous Rules and Hints, in a concise and simple form, which will be of great assistance to inquirers. These Rules and Hints will be founded upon the authority of scholars, the usages of the bar, the pulpit, and the senate, and the authority of societies formed for the purpose of collecting and diffusing knowledge pertaining to the language of this country.
[A SALMON NAS BEEN KNOWN TO PRODUCE 10,000,000 EGGS.]
181. Rules and Hints for Correct Speaking.
1. _Who_ and _whom_ are used in relation to persons, and _which_ in relation to things. But it was once common to say, "the man _which._" This should now be avoided. It is now usual to say, "Our Father _who_ art in heaven," instead of "_which_ art in heaven."
2. _Whose_ is, however, sometimes applied to things as well as to persons. We may therefore say, "The country _whose_ inhabitants are free." Grammarians differ in opinion upon this subject, but general usage justifies the rule.
3. _Thou_ is employed in solemn discourse, and you in common language. _Ye_ (plural) is also used in serious addresses, and you in familiar language.
4. The uses of the word _It_ are various, and very perplexing to the uneducated. It is not only used to imply persons, but things, and even, ideas, and therefore, in speaking or writing, its assistance is constantly required. The perplexity respecting this word arises from the fact that in using it in the construction of a long sentence, sufficient care is not taken to ensure that when _it_ is employed it really points out or refers to the object intended. For instance, "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the market, and he was delayed so long that it was over before he arrived." Now what is to be understood by this sentence? Was the rain over? or the market? Either or both might be inferred from the construction of the sentence, which, therefore, should be written thus:--"It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the market, and he was delayed so long that the market was over before he arrived."
5. _Rule_.--After writing a sentence always look through it, and see that wherever the word It is employed, it refers to or carries the mind back to the object which it is intended to point out.
6. The general distinction between _This_ and _That_ may be thus defined: _this_ denotes an object present or near, in time or place, _that_ something which is absent.
7. _These_ refers, in the same manner, to present objects, while _those_ refers to things that are remote.
8. _Who_ changes, under certain conditions, into _whose_ and _whom_. But _that_ and _which_ always remain the same.
9. _That_ may be applied to nouns or subjects of all sorts; as, the _girl that_ went to school, the _dog that_ bit me, the _ship that_ went to London, the _opinion that_ he entertains.
10. The misuse of these pronouns gives rise to more errors in speaking and writing than any other cause.
11. When you wish to distinguish between two or more persons, say, "_Which_ is the happy man?"--not _who_--"_Which_ of those ladies do you admire?"
12. Instead of "_Who_ do you think him to be?"--say, "_Whom_ do you think him to be?"
13. _Whom_ should I see?
14. To _whom_ do you speak?
15. _Who_ said so?
16. _Who_ gave it to you?
17. Of _whom_ did you procure them?
18. _Who_ was _he_?
19. _Who_ do men say that _I_ am?
20. _Whom_ do they represent _me_ to be? [1]
21. In many instances in which _who_ is used as an interrogative, it does not become _whom_; as "_Who_ do you speak to?" "_Who_ do you expect?" "_Who_ is she married to?" "_Who_ is this reserved for?" "_Who_ was it made by?" Such sentences are found in the writings of our best authors, and it would be presumptuous to consider them as ungrammatical. If the word _whom_ should be preferred, then it would be best to say, "For _whom_ is this reserved?" &c.
22. Instead of "After _which_ hour," say "After _that_ hour."
23. _Self_ should never be added to _his, their, mine, or thine._
24. _Each_ is used to denote every individual of a number.
25. _Every_ denotes all the individuals of a number.
26. _Either_ and _or_ denote an alternative: "I will take _either_ road, at your pleasure;" "I will take this _or_ that."
27. _Neither_ means _not either_; and _nor_ means _not the other_.
28. _Either_ is sometimes used for _each_--"Two thieves were crucified, on _either_ side one."
29. "Let _each_ esteem others as good as themselves," should be, "Let _each_ esteem others as good as _himself_."
30. "There are bodies _each_ of which _are_ so small," should be, "each of which _is_ so small."
31. Do not use double superlatives, such as _most straightest_, _most highest_, _most finest_.
32. The term _worser_ has gone out of use; but _lesser_ is still retained.
33. The use of such words as _chiefest_, _extremest_, &c., has become obsolete, because they do not give any superior force to the meanings of the primary words, _chief_, _extreme_, &c.
34. Such expressions as _more impossible_, _more indispensable_, _more universal_, _more uncontrollable_, _more unlimited_, &c., are objectionable, as they really enfeeble the meaning which it is the object of the speaker or writer to strengthen. For instance, _impossible_ gains no strength by rendering it _more_ impossible. This class of error is common with persons who say, "A _great large_ house," "A _great big_ animal," "A _little small_ foot," "A _tiny little_ hand."
35. _Here_, _there_, and _where_, originally denoting place, may now, by common consent, he used to denote other meanings; such as, "_There_ I agree with you," "_Where_ we differ," "We find pain _where_ we expected pleasure," "_Here_ you mistake me."
36. _Hence_, _whence_, and _thence_, denoting departure, &c., may be used without the word _from_. The idea of _from_ is included in the word _whence_--therefore it is unnecessary to say "_From whence_."
37. _Hither_, _thither_, and _whither_, denoting to a place, have generally been superseded by _here_, _there_, and _where_. But there is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they are used, it is unnecessary to add the word _to_, because that is implied--"_Whither_ are you going?" "_Where_ are you going?" Each of these sentences is complete. To say, "Where are you going _to_?" is redundant.
38. Two _negatives_ destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "_Nor_ did he _not_ observe them," conveys the idea that he _did_ observe them.
39. But negative assertions are allowable. "His manners are not unpolite," which implies that his manners are, in some degree, marked by politeness.
40. Instead of "I _had_ rather walk," say "I _would_ rather walk."
41. Instead of "I _had better_ go," say "It were better that I should go."
42. Instead of "I doubt not _but_ I shall be able to go," say "I doubt not that I shall be able to go."
43. Instead of "Let you and _I_," say "Let you and me."
44. Instead of "I am not so tall as _him_," say "I am not so tall as he."
45. When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I."
46. Instead of "For you and _I_," say "For you and me."
47. Instead of "_Says_ I," say "I said."
48. Instead of "You are taller than _me_," say "You are taller than I."
49. Instead of "I _ain't_," or "I _arn't_," say "I am not."
50. Instead of "Whether I be present or _no_," say "Whether I be present or not."
51. For "Not that I know _on_," say "Not that I know."
52. Instead of "_Was_ I to do so," say "_Were_ I to do so."
53. Instead of "I would do the same if I _was him_," say "I would do the same if I were he."
54. Instead of "I _had_ as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go myself," or "I would rather."
55. It is better to say "Bred and born," than "Born and bred."
56. It is better to say "Six weeks ago," than "Six weeks back."
57. It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when."
58. It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again."
59. It is better to say "A physician," or "A surgeon," than "A medical man."
60. Instead of "He was too young to _have_ suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much."
61. Instead of "_Less_ friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers to quantity.
62. Instead of "A _quantity_ of people," say "A number of people."
63. Instead of "_He and they_ we know," say "Him and them."
64. Instead of "_As_ far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."
65. Instead of "If I am _not mistaken_," say "If I mistake not."
66. Instead of "You _are mistaken_," say "You mistake."
67. Instead of "What _beautiful_ tea!" say "What good tea!"
68. Instead of "What a _nice_ prospect!" say "What a _beautiful_ prospect!"
69. Instead of "A _new pair_ of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."
70. Instead of saying "_He_ belongs to the _house_," say "The house belongs to him."
71. Instead of saying "_Not no_ such thing," say "Not any such thing."
72. Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing _on_ it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it."
73. Instead of "Restore it _back_ to me," say "Restore it to me."
74. Instead of "I suspect the _veracity_ of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story."
75. Instead of "I seldom _or ever_ see him," say "I seldom see him."
76. Instead of "_Rather warmish_" or "A _little_ warmish," say "Rather warm."
77. Instead of "I expected _to have_ found him," say "I expected to find him."
78. Instead of "_Shay_," say "Chaise."
79. Instead of "He is a very _rising_ person," say "He is rising rapidly."
80. Instead of "Who _learns_ you music?" say "Who teaches you music?"
81. Instead of "I _never_ sing _whenever_ I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it."
82. Instead of "Before I do that I must _first_ ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave."
83. Instead of "To _get over_ the difficulty," say "To overcome the difficulty."
84. The phrase "_get over_" is in many cases misapplied, as, to "get over a person," to "get over a week," to "get over an opposition."
85. Instead of saying "The _observation_ of the rule," say "The observance of the rule."
86. Instead of "A man _of_ eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old."
87. Instead of "Here _lays_ his honoured head," say "Here lies his honoured head."
88. Instead of "He died from _negligence_," say "He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."
89. Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."
90. Instead of "The _latter end_ of the year," say "The end, or the close of the year."
91. Instead of "The _then_ government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time."
92. Instead of "For _ought_ I know," say "For aught I know."
93. Instead of "A _couple_ of chairs," say "Two chairs."
94. Instead of "_Two couples_," say "Four persons."
95. But you may say "A married couple," or, "A married pair," or, "A couple of fowls," &c., in any case where one of each sex is to be understood.
96. Instead of "They are _united together_ in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or, "They are married."
97. Instead of "We travel _slow_," say "We travel slowly."
98. Instead of "He plunged _down_ into the river," say "He plunged into the river."
99. Instead of "He jumped _from off of_ the scaffolding," say "He jumped off from the scaffolding."
100. Instead of "He came the last _of all_," say "He came the last."
101. Instead of "_universal_," with reference to things that have any limit, say "general;" "generally approved," instead of "universally approved;" "generally beloved," instead of "universally beloved."
102. Instead of "They ruined _one another_," say "They ruined each other."
103. Instead of "If _in case_ I succeed," say "If I succeed."
104. Instead of "A _large enough_ room," say "A room large enough."
105. Instead of "This villa _to let_," say "This villa to be let."
106. Instead of "I am slight in comparison _to_ you," say "I am slight in comparison with you."
107. Instead of "I went _for_ to see him," say "I went to see him."
108. Instead of "The cake is all _eat up_," say "The cake is all eaten."
109. Instead of "It is bad _at the best_," say "It is very bad."
110. Instead of "Handsome is _as_ handsome does," say "Handsome is who handsome does."
111. Instead of "As I _take_ it," say "As I see," or, "As I under stand it."