It is cold during the winter months, so we will commence our explorations in warmer lands, where the Esperantic Sun has shown itself stronger and more powerful than of old. Farthest off, the vast region of Queensland, Australia, merits our notice. The Editor of the most important journals there has become allied with Esperanto; we have written a short article, which perhaps will appear there later, and from divers parts of the Colony come the usual inquiries from our future fellow-workers. New Zealand is also Esperantically inclined at present, and the several articles already published are bringing in their fruits.
As warm, and even vaster, India now enrolls recruits for our army. Mr. Adinarayana Chettiar has written a valuable article in the Indian Review, the most important of local gazettes. We have also written a reply—to be printed or not, according to the will of "His Mightiness the Editor."
In Central America, the Director of the National Institute of San Salvador warmly approves of the Esperanto lectures of our subscriber, Mr. R. G. Abrill. Perchance in this account we inquisitive Esperantists will soon be able to find out more about these (to us) almost unknown Republics. Speaking of these, we well remember an interesting circumstance. A very enthusiastic friend moved into Venezuela, and, of course, we proposed that he should found a group there. A few weeks later came a postcard representing "The Group Progress," but, unfortunately, it was a cluster of naked niggers! But, joking aside, there must be many intelligent folk in Venezuela who are willing to become Esperantists. Interesting articles have lately come from Virginia and Erie, in the United States.
Nearer to us, in progressive Malta, accented letters hinder the foundation of the awaited Maltese Gazette, but it is to be hoped that the solution of the difficulty is at hand, and that we shall soon be able to give it a welcome.
From Algeria, the ever-busy Captain Capé sends interesting news, and, among other things, wishes to receive the names of those able to take part in an Esperanto Caravan at Easter, 1905. An exhibition is also being organised. Will helpers kindly write to the President, 17, Boulevard Gambetta, Algiers?
In England, encouraging news comes from Folkestone. The Chamber of Commerce was much interested at a lecture given by Mr. Geddes, the well-known secretary of the Dover Group. Doubtless the foundation of a Folkestone Society will soon follow, and we shall then be able to invest in circular tickets to visit the "Five Esperanto Havens," Dover, Folkestone, Boulogne, Calais, and Ostend. There is a holiday trip for lovers of the sea! Just think of it!
Hastings now possesses a group, whose president is Dr. Martyn Westcott. This devoted collaborator has often written pro-Esperanto articles. He tells us that during a stay in Paris he visited Notre Dame, and there saw with pleasure the green stars worn in the buttonholes of two Spaniards. It is needless to say that the pleasure was mutual, and the proverb, "Two’s company, three’s none," did not here find confirmation.
At the Club Café we of the London Club had the pleasure of listening to a series of articles on German literature, kindly delivered by our visitor, Mr. Jürgensen. Then, as always, Esperanto needed no interpreter!
But possibly the best proof of our progress is the fact that the Esperanto Library has further increased. Shakespeare’s "Tempest" (Art Edition, 2s. 6d.) is now ready. Another well-printed book, on nice paper, which will give all much pleasure and instruction, comes from Belgium: Pages from Flemish Literature, translated by Drs. Seynaeve and van Melckebeke (134 pp., 1s. 6d.).
Messrs. Hachette have also published Conversation and Correspondence Guide, by A. Grabowski (180 pp., 2s.); a useful international volume.