1937-01-19 — Page 10

10

SPARE

THE HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1937.

MOMENT

!

PAGE

BANKS

HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.

BANKS

THE CHARTEKED HANK OF INDIA, AUSTRALIĄ & CHINA.

S

What

sort

MITH writes to ask for a job: "I hope you will not

think me presumptuous in addressing you directly, and I can assure you that, knowing how busy you must be, I would not have troubled you if I had not. always, regarded you as a man who

Smith writes "Your favour of even

business letter: date to hand

"My

Smith writes to the papers: attention has been drawn to your issue

' of Little as I like seeing my name

in print, I am strongly impelled to

Cut It, Smithi Wordiness is one of

whest Wie

faults of amateur (and rome pro- fessional) wrlters. Thest

unneces-

sary preliminaries to what has to be sald are like an unpractised publie

speaker's

conecious

clearings:

self-

throat-

they

remind one of the inadequate

con-

versationalists who

have to pad their sentences

with

"Well I mean - to-say it is sort-of, Lon't t

If you mean to

say think, kay

It without saying that you mean to,

Letters are, for most at the Smiths, the prin- cipal form

written expres- sion.

saj

The tele

.

of letter do you write?

So much depends-in business, in social life-on

་་ས་

the way you put your thoughts and feelings on paper. There is always a right and a

wrong should way. This article

help you.

knows

Smith what he

writing about

is

Bit mola-

tarnished by use ("larnished" metaphor that's getting tarnished). Creaking corset phor three paragraphs back seems alive enough to pass muster (that's)

unpleasantly moribund mein-

מח

phor).

Few of us had better' dare to try to bring tead metaphors to life (though M. Poirot docs, by mixing and misapplying them).

Few of us are lucky enough actu- ally to be given horses which we mustn't look in the mouth.

JUS

[UST

stifling as 19

dead metaphors to any sense freshness or freedom in a plece of writing are cliches,

of

may have

A cllche is a state phrase whichi

a dead metaphor, once like

been vivich or impressive. Cliches occur chiefly in the works of lazy or hurried writers (for the latter rea- son sometimes, regrettably, in nowspapers).

They

when

atso

occur often a timid or shallow writer reaches a subject- such as death-on which he feels it is safer to make no rash

experiments: such

solemn cliches all that was mortel of, the frony of fate, making the supreme sacrifice.

Hence

319

There is a curious little class of cliches which occur £13 conversation, and Arc in- be

Better, Arst, to try simple narra- Jusillable there because they tive, without slang, with as

fmw tensify "colourful" adjectives even if it seems dull,

The colour should be implied, Two of them have been printed: should grow on the reader without a newspapers in the Inst bis doing aware of the process of Mrs. Simpson gave na Interviews to growth,

the French Press "of any sort

point, but shouldn't as possible, used in writing anything serious.

Don't write: "We stopped at such kind"; some

one

week:

or

else nds that,

any

Surt or kind? Shape or form?

Try this

HERE is a test which can be

done as a parlour game:- Ask somebody to read over to you slowly a list of any twenty disconnected words. By follow ing the Instructions below you will find that if any, member of the party asks you for any one of them (e.g., "Tell me number nine") you'll be able to give it. Begin by making and memoris- ing a list similar to this: One

Six Suck Two

Seven Severn Eight Egg Four Fort Nine Novel Five File

Ten Tent When the disconnected words are suid, connect each of them in a clear mental image with the corresponding word in the list: e.g., it is lamp." think of lots of lamps In a tree; If B is "elc- phant," think of an elephant lay- ing an eg

Tooth Three Tree

Then when you are used to give you'll get the following mental process. Elght equals egg equais elephant laying egg equals elephant.

The lessons learned from this game are: (1) Though Isolated facts or words are not remem- bered memorising is easy when the new facts fit into an already known sequence or arrangement (idea of association); (2) learn- ing complicated things is not nearly as dificult as it seems to those who don't know the lanes of learning.

Don't Believe It!

-Says the Doctor

MUPERSTITIONS die hard

two hundred concerning health and hygiene are explained and corrected by Dr. August A. Thomen, distinguished lecturer in medicine at New York Uni- IN the Book of Common versity. A selection of the most Prayer pa|es of words interesting is appearing on the the same thing are often Home Page. To-day the doctor | bracketed together: "we have erred

That the hair can turn grey, quite

a beautiful, quaint old inn." It's business has not suffered "in better to write something like "We shape ur forin." stopped at an inn. John hit his head <313 the oak beams. The windows were so small and shaded by vy that we could turdly see to read.

Give all relevant material details objectively. It takes a more prac- tisest writer und profound thinker phone has nearly destrayed letters are expected to know that they are than most of us Smith to get away welling us an airt; but there is no a quotation

from Sir Thomas with the mere effect on us of what meaning reason why Smith shouldn't stif Browne's "Hydriolaphia."

ме нее. Keep a diary: end every Smith is It is impossible in mention Browne. There is far more negative than and strayed from Thy ways like lost explodes the fallacy.

to have at least one book in- renowned. seventeenth century positive advice to be given to Smith sheep." side him.

stylist,

without quoting from him, as he sits down to write, (It had To write well it is not necessary Read this one sentence aloud, in a better be writing, too, unless he is In most of these cases one of the suddenly, from fear or fright to be well-crad. Good prose

con ringing tone: "Pyramids, obelisks, an exceptionally clear and

Iwo words is of Latin origin, the sists of the best words arranged in teere but the irregularities of rain thinker: those who type or dictate other Saxon; it is said that the re of the sudden greying of halr fron

Julek the most effective way. You can glory, and wild enormities of un- are far more likely to go rambling dundant words were deliberately fright, none has ever been selent- learn what the "best words" etent magnanimity"

for historical reasons, an, to repeat themselves, to get lost inserted by learning what kind of word and And here is one of his purplest in the middle of long sentences and may be simply to reproduce so far phrase to avoid. The most effee passages

As possible the liquid cadences go back and start the original Latin service-books, despite his not tive way of arranging them is a Latin blas, some clangorous mono- again,) matter of ear as much as eye. That syllables); -

The chief positive suggestion is Niner these dead bones have that he should say what he has to superb though its prose-rhythms are too comes by practice, by the ell

In any case, the Prayer-book, mination of obvious awkwardnes-es, already outlasted the living ones of Say as plainly and concisely as should be used sparingly as a palette

and in a pard under possible in the best English he rather than as and thin walls of clay, out-

knows;

a model for copying and that "to cudgel one's at brains" all the strong and

is not necessarily better spacious senside buildings atare it, and quietly rested that phrase than to think hard."

1 English because Shakespeare tised under the drums and tramplings of three

conquesta: what prince can

such unrnity to

But it does help enormously have running at the back of your mind some former wriler's rhythm eoru which you and all other readers of English know is good,

This is a good rhythm:

"Or ever the aliver cord be loosed.

or the golden' botol be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."

same

promise Telteks

.

(containinit,

Uni

t to subsist in bones, and

bother to

frez but pyramidally extent, is a THIS brings

fallacy in duration."

us to ...ainaleur writer's common error. In trying to

means bringing

and

or

of

Although numerous stories are told

Acally authenticated. Most physicians who have made special study of the hair and skin doubt the possi- bility of such a happening.

structure of the hair and scalp and Our knowledge concerning the of the way the hair grows does not lend itself to any satisfactory ex- planation of the alleged greying "in

night."

יו

premature

.......$ 0,600,000 licserve Liability of I'roprietors. 3,000,000 Hongkong Currency Herve $10,000,040 { Reserve Fund.. Reserve Liality of Proprietors. #20,000,000

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:-

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FOR THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.

V. M. GRAYBURN,

Chief Manager, Hongkong, 24th February, 1936,

25

Karachi

Kobe

Han Franciaco

Rio de

Janalro

Landon

Brattle

Bombay

Los Angeleg

Bemarang.

Calutin

Manila

Bhangbal

Canton

Moll

Singapore

Dairen Dany) Nagssak)

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Fenrison

NRESTA

Bydney

[Mukile) New York

Tintin

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Ekon

Tokyo

Juris

Yinckow

J'elping

Hangoon

Harbin

Ilankow

Honolul

Interest allowed on Current Accounts,

lepita received for fixed periods a rates to be obtained on application.

Y. KANO,

Hongkong, 18th November, 1938.

Manager.

OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS

ACROSS

23

1 A doctor in liquor to ally him-

self with a Northern lauke.

6 They always score at least one

each in a Test Match.

0 Set-back.

10 Elector or the other way round. 11 Declined.

13 Musicent show-quite a bit, in

fnet fact.

In many instances. INDEPENDENT of models blanching is hereditary, occurring in influences though several members of the same family Smith should be, he had better equip as early as the twentieth year. the himself with just one book-perhaps nos Treasury of English Prose" or I have had orcasion to study write "Words and Idioms," by one of the several such families, in one of which But to subsist on Browne, and like the pros he instinctively dresses Pearsall Smith; or, for more practical at least ve generations. I was im- most eminent of his family, Logun premature greyness occurred during take him for a model, would be a up bis sentences

Sunday dangerous experiment for a tyro.. best-which

out purposes, H. W. Fowler's classic, pressed with the fact that frequently HIS doesn't mean that

Far better try to write like this of the attic such ereaking humerous, common-sense "Diction- the general appearance of greyness we are to imitate such a "I had slept well in the night, and old corseta' as forsooth, imbine ory of Modern English Usage." evolves quite rapidly. slavishly. passage

No good just was noe no more aca-sick but very meaning drink) tell it not in Gath, copying its rhythm ("To-morrow the cheerful, looking with wonder upon durance

If he knows what he's vile, acid test,

If one Individual in such a family writing biggest film release, is roughts the the sea that was so ruagh and ter every avenue.

exploring about, Fowler will help him

to happened to experience a fright at as the opening words). But rible the day before.

The

write : will steer him through any the tme this process was about lo we can learn from it how, effective

last two of these are "dead difleulles he may have with sub- begin, the above faulty conclusion That's straightforward reporting metaphors," When some one flest junctives, one-syllable words can be; also that by Defne,

possessives and thought of politicians in eonference details which anybody who

other might readily be drawn. the same word should be repeated if

ever avenue expires, he created a "did" the usual smattering of gram-on of the scalp could be influenced 17 A Latin spark frequently mis-

It is quite probable that the nutri-14 Trace I get (snug.), vivid picture. The phrase is appal- mar at school has forgotten.

by adverse bodily and mental states,

sing in evidence. lingly dreary now.

Metaphors are all right, to use if

so that greying of the hair, while not. 10 Come apart und betray a sceret. And if, when he has done, dipping sudden, may be fairly rapid. Marie 21 Couched. often wrote eol they are dead enough. Every Eng- into Fowler, he loquially. It is a good 11sh sentence is packed with them, frightened off writing altogether, let became grey shortly before they were

hasn't been Antoinette and Mary Queen of Scots 24 Dogs prefer it spelt with an E. "broken" In this passage from Ee- thing to write colloquially sometimes; whether one realises it or not (that him go to it.

like this, rather than clcsiustes a modern translator would but, just as the most natural-sound word "packed" probably have substituted shat- ing stage dialogue is really not

was a metaphor,

-suggest a whip. tered" and "smashed to bits."

a originally Impiled "Alled as full as gramophone record of any everyday a bundle of goods wrapped up to-! Another, lesser, advantage of conversation but an artful disilla- gether! is now deed tong enough Dick accepts gleefully. having read some "standard" writers tion of it, the best colloquial writing not to matter). is that you are enabled to pander only seems to be just like the writer

harmless snobbery!

Or they are all right if they are you can talking,

striking and original, or not too

the same word is meant.

For some reason;

second-rate

writers think it not genteel to re

peat word which has just been

used for the second and third

to

flatter

your readers by assuming.

that they will recognise an allusion"

or quotation.

In a review this week a critic writes

that an autobiography “is,

In fact, a challenge to the iniquity of oblivion."

Highly dattering is the omission of the quotation-marks which might be, round the last three words. We

The Widow's Choice

- 1. What is the correct busl- ness way to address a married woman-Mary Jones, wife of John Jones?

2. What is the correct busi- ncas way to address Mary Jones, widow of John Jones?

There

have been many dit- ferences of opinion on these questions among an office staff of forty men and women, and we should like to settle them:

My own opinion is Unt she is Mra. John Jones while married, and Mrs. Mary Jones when she becomes a widow.

In both questions the name is

cholce. A onu of

troman, whether married, unmarried, or la soldan, may call herself what- ever aljú likes. It la quátomary for her to take her husband's nama i marriage, and alia may retain it during woldowhood if slje pulsfies.

DEFO

EFOE

as

SELZNICK INTERNATIONAL

Prune

Little Lord Fauntleroy

Jorring

FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW DOLORES COSTELLO BARRYMORE

A Motion Picture Based on the World- Famous Frances Hodgson Burnett Story

WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE:

An American boy, Cedric Er- rol, Icarus suddenly that he to to succeed to the ite of the Earl of Darincourt. He pocs to England to live with his gru old grandfather, the present. Earl who separates the child from his mother, and seeks to bring him up in a manner betting his fu- ture station. Cedric, or "Little Lord Fauntleroy," however, proves staunch young Demo- erat and begins to win over the

man,

old

CHAPTER FOUR

As the friendship between Coddle lund his grandfather waxes stronger

Be

executed.

sham arrives,

Meanwhile in England Ceddie is He is quite evidently exelted, and going on to new triumphs-social tells the Eart when he draws him triumphs. Sir Harry inct Lorridalle are invited to Dorincourt.

Lady to one side: Lady Constantia Lorridaile,

"I was detained by extraordinary Earl's sister, has not brother for more than thirty years.

sen

bernews." News has reached

"News? the Larriduiles of the miraculous changes observed

des demands. in the Earl of Dorincourt since the

"Later, my lord, later." arrival of his grandson and they are eager to see for themselves just what music, Ceddie falls asleep. has happened to the testy fellow.

What news?" Dorincourt

After the gay dinner and

old sham and Dorincourt are in library when the guests have parted.

At a grand dinner given by Dorin- court-in reality to provide an, ocea-

the

Havl- the de.

"I have bad news, my lord," saya worst of news.

sion for showing off Fauntleroy Havisham. "The

his boundless pride in the youngster I'm sorry to have to be the bearer and his evident love for him cause of it."

endless talk. Lady Constantia

falls immediately in

Ceddie,

love with He thereupon informs the

Earl

who reminds her so much that a now claimant ny prisen to of his father. The Earl confesses the title of Lord Fauntleroy, an to his sister that he is "a fine ile American woman of evidently fellow."

"There's a risk," he says, "af my becoming rather an old fool about

him."

"By

and they grow chummier Ceddie the following letter to Mr.

tell his

writes 1lobbs:

the way the mother," says sister. "What does she think

* mny dear mr. Hobbs I must you about my grandfarther imme- of you?" diutely it is all a mistake about

carls being tirents my grandfarther

"I don't know," comes the sharp)

is the best carl you ever knew he is answer. "I haven't asked her. But Icuring down a lot of old hovels am rather Indebted to her for and building nice new cottages, so giving some of her own beauty to the people will try harder to de- the boy."

serve

it my grandfarther is not a

A

breeding who claims to have been the wife of the Earl's son Bevis and the mother of Bevis son. This is Indeed

1 bombshell. Dorincouri, obviously shaken, bends over little Ceddle asleep on the sofa,

"And F-1 object to his mother," he says. "I suppose this is retribu-| tion."

Thoroughly aroused.

determined.

to protect the boy he loves, he tells Havisham the other must be an im- postor. The solicitor reminds the Earl of the law, which decrees that, firent nt all he reminds the of you liebert, is introduced to Ceddle and succeed to the title. Dorincourt can

very lovely young lady. Miss the progeny of the elder son must f he is a unervarsle favril.

makes Back in New York, Hobbs and elderly

u great fuss over him. An not go counter to the law no matter

nobleman observes to Dick read Fauntleroy's letter with friend of his

a how his preferences may lie. keen interest. Their general con-

When clusion is that it is too bad Ceddie "I've known Dorincourt for thir- court

the solicitor goes, Dorin- has got to become an carl.

summons a footman, points "He would have been

ty-five years and this is the first to the sleeping Ceddle, and orders:

a shinin' ftime, he's ever bothered to inquire

says about my health. Most extraordi

Inary"

light in the grocery business," Mr. Hobbs,

Ile offers Dick free lodgings and At the height of the party Havi-

"Take Lord Fauntleroy to his

room."

(To be continued to-morrow)"

20

27 Ointment.

28 It's pretty good, when it's not

30 this. 29 Just over the score (two words).

DOWN

1 Weupon.

2 Remainder in which you may

be found wanting.

3 I will serve.

4.That one and no other.

5 One occurrence in seventy.

6 What Byron's echo answered. 7 Not hundred miles from

n

Windsor.

THE

115

16

128

125

8 Capture a waistband for a tem-

pestuous tract (hyphen). 13 Frankly, had!

-15 Russian prince (two words). 16 Source of lumination that sug→

gests marsh

gas.

18 Wicked! The little dévil pro-

mises to pay.

20 Lo learn (anag).

22 Call me? Why, mostly noblet. 23 Trail.

25 South Coast resort.

Yesterday's Bolution TBLUEBOTTLE.POD HUMORDNAQOMANR - I

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