Written out in this way, you know that in the first instance I am speaking of the hats belonging to one lady, but in the second instance of the hats belonging to two or more ladies. But when it is spoken, you can not tell whether I mean one lady or a number of ladies. So we use a phrase and say, The hats of the lady; or, The hats of the ladies. Then the meaning is entirely clear.
320. Sometimes we want to use two possessives together, and in this case it is better to change one of them into a phrase; for example, This is my comrade's father's book. This is an awkward construction. Say instead, This is the book belonging to my comrade's father.
321. Do not overlook the fact, however, that the phrase beginning with of does not always mean possession. Consider the following examples and see if there is not a difference in meaning:
- The history of Wilson is interesting.
- Wilson's history is interesting.
In the first instance, I mean the history of Wilson's life is interesting; in the second instance I mean the history belongs to or written by Wilson is interesting. So there is quite a difference in the meaning. The phrase of Wilson used in the first example does not indicate possession.
Note the difference in meaning between the following sentences:
- The picture of Millet is good.
- Millet's picture is good.
- The statue of Rodin stands in the park.
- Rodin's statue stands in the park.
- The invention of gunpowder, or gunpowder's invention?
- The destruction of Louvain, or Louvain's destruction?
- The siege of Antwerp, or Antwerp's siege?
- The boat's keel, or the keel of the boat?