As soon as the clock has struck, say, five, the sixth hour has commenced. Thus half-past five is expressed as halb sechs, half of the sixth hour, la duono de la sesa. This, of course, is most perplexing to Englishmen.
Captain Tudor, R. N., writes suggesting the adoption of the international railway system, by which half-past five is kvin tridek (5.30). This method was recommended in No. 8, which had not reached the China Seas when he wrote. No doubt Captain Tudor will be interested to learn that this latter system works perfectly abroad. Esperantists should use no other.
Another danger in Esperanto is the alteration of place names. Do not address your Fleet Street friend’s letters to Rapidega Strato. A friend living in Lazarskaja has even received letters addressed to Strato de la Almozuloj. This reflects great credit on the local post office.
The Esperantist has sinned in this matter, using such locally adopted forms as Bulonjo, Kalezo, Kastelteodoriko, etc. Now a French friend talks of writing to fellow students in Lejstro, Niukaslo, and La Insulo de Uajto!
Let us continue to employ, for postal purposes, the names commonly in use for the town in question, not even adding the apparently harmless "little O." Our friends in Louvain have often missed their letters through giving their address as Loveno, whereby Italy receives what is not hers, the Post Office has unnecessary trouble, and the non-arrival of the letter is ascribed to the negligence or lack of courtesy of the sender.
The Editor regrets that a delay has occurred in the preparation of the postcards for illustrating the use of the Esperantic Participles. They are now almost ready, and form an interesting addition to the host of propaganda postcards already in use. (Price, 8d. per dozen).
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