Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 096.djvu/437

Rh

X, Y, Z, W, are all expressed by the following conventional phrases; X, "C'est facile;" Y, "C'est bien facile;" Z, "C'est très facile;" W, "Annoncez à present.”

If, for example, the letter X were asked for, the operator would remark, "C'est facile de dire cette lettre."

It will be seen from this table that, with a fluent command of words, any idea whatever may be unmistakeably conveyed by the operator to the subject without the slightest apparent trace of collusion. As, however, many different words commence with the same letters, and have nearly the same sound, it is necessary to indicate by the form of the question whether it refer to an animal, a card, a flower, or other object.

The possibility of any mistakes from such a cause is prevented by an arrangement that if the question refer to any part of the body of a man or an animal, the verb "indiquer" is used;

If it refer to dress, "toucher" is employed;

For all immoveable objects, furniture, &c., "regarder" is made use of;

All large objects are referred to by "en quoi;"

All small portable objects, rings, fans, &c., are distinctly spoken of as "objets."

For example: one of the audience points to his own body, the French word for which (corps) has its three first letters, and its sound, in common with another word (cor) which means a horn.

The operator asks, " —vous voyez ce que j'indique."

The use of the word "indique," tells the subject at once that the question refers to the body; but if it had been expressed " —vous connaissez cet instrument," he would have perceived that his reply must be "a horn."

The hesitation in the question shows the limit of the words which convey the point.

In cards, diamonds are expressed by "C'est bien" (before the question); spades by "Très bien;" clubs by "Parfaitement;" and hearts by "Bien."

The nine of hearts would thus be conveyed by "Bien la carte;" the king of spades by "Très bien— la carte;" the six of diamonds by "C'est bien— la carte."