Page:Lawrence E A-first reader,1907.pdf/65

 all people, and which formed a veritable treasure for the future international language—and, of course, I utilised this treasure.

«In 1878 the language was more or less ready.

“Thus was finished the first period of the language.

“I was then still too young to appear publiely with my work, and I decided to wait five or six years longer, and during that time to test carefully the language and to work it out fully and practically. Half a year after the feast of December 5th, 1878, we finished our course at the gymnasium and separated. I remained alone. Foreseeing only mockery and persecution, I decided to hide my work from the eyes of all.

“For five and a-half years whilst I was at the University I never spoke to anyone about it. That was a very trying time for me. The secrecy tormented me. Compelled to conceal carefully my thoughts and plans, I went scarcely anywhere, took no part in anything, and the most enjoyable time of life—the student-years—was, for me, the saddest. ..

“ For six years I worked at perfecting and testing my language, and I had sufficient work, although in 1878 I had thought that it was quite ready. I made many translations and wrote original works in it, and severe trials showed me that what I had considered to be quite finished in theory was nevertheless not ready for practical use.

«... Practice ever more and more convinced me that a language requires still an indescribable something, a uniting element, giving to it life and a defined and wholly formed spirit.

“I began then to avoid literal translations from this or the other language, and endeavoured to think directly in the neutral language.

« Afterwards I noticed that the language in my hands had already ceased to be a shadowy reflection