This being the eleventh number of The Esperantist, the next should be the last of the first annual series. But it is not desirable to commence a volume in November. It is, therefore, intended to include in the first series fourteen numbers, i.e., till December, which issue will contain the index and title-page.
I trust, therefore, that those who subscribed from the beginning will kindly send 3s. 6d. (instead of 3s.), so that the subscription may run till December, 1905.
I also trust that my Australian, African, American, and Asiatic readers will renew their subscriptions by an early post.
Amongst the very kind letters about my work is one from our well-known Russian friend, M. Kofman. He writes: "I do not wish to let the opportunity slip for here expressing my admiration, inspired by your gazette, The Esperantist. The short stories therein contained are excellent, and the verse (especially in the last number) is perfect, and the Gazette conveys a genuine impression of serious and diligent work, guided by a strong and manly hand. I heartily hope you will soon have power to increase the dimensions of The Esperantist, and make its issue more frequent, for the pleasure of your readers and of every good Esperantist."
Most heartily do I thank M. Kofman, and I am ever ready to do what my readers wish. But it cannot yet be accomplished. One must bear in mind that I am the sole Editor, without assistance, and I must confess that sixteen pages are sufficient to fill up my leisure. But, if Esperantists will renew their subscriptions, write articles, and recruit Subscribers, I hope to enlarge it after the close of 1904.
STRUT-MAKLERO.
De H. G. Wells. Tradukita de Martyn Westcott.
"Parolante pri la kosto de birdoj, mi vidis struton, kiu kostis tri cent livrojn," diris la taksidermisto, memorigante sian vojaĝplenan junecon. "Tri cent livrojn!"
Li min rigardis supre siaj okulvitroj. "Mi vidis alian, kiun oni refuzis je kvar cent!"
"Ne," li diris, "ne estis pro imagaj punktoj. Ili nur estis ordinaraj strutoj. Iom difektitaj ankaŭ, pro malbona dieto. Kaj ne malgrandigo de la postulo ekzistis. Oni estus pensinta ke kvin strutoj vendiĝus je malalta prezo sur vaporŝipo de la Orientaj Hindujoj. Sed la allogo estis, ke unu el tiuj strutoj estis glutinta diamanton.