Page:The king's English (IA kingsenglish00fowlrich).pdf/26

12 different constructions, that might properly be used, and one is given the construction of the other.

A few companies, comprised mainly of militiamen.—Times. (composed of? comprising?)

The Novoe Vremya thinks the Tsar's words will undoubtedly instil the Christians of Macedonia with hope.—Times. (inspire them with hope? instil hope into them?)

He appreciated the leisurely solidity, the leisurely beauty of the place, so innate with the genius of the Anglo-Saxon.—E. F.. (genius innate in the place? the place instinct with genius?)

4. Words having properly no connexion with each other at all, but confused owing to superficial resemblance.

Mr. Barton walked forth in cape and boa, to read prayers at the workhouse, euphuistically called the 'College'.—. (euphemistically)

Euphemism is slurring over badness by giving it a good name: euphuism is a literary style full of antithesis and simile. A pair of extracts (Friedrich, vol. iv, pp. 5 and 36) will convince readers that these words are dangerous:

Hence Bielfeld goes to Hanover, to grin-out euphuisms, and make graceful court-bows to our sublime little Uncle there.—.

Readers may remember, George II has been at Hanover for some weeks past; Bielfeld diligently grinning euphemisms and courtly graciosities to him.—.

Troops capable of contesting successfully against the forces of other nations.—Times.

Though there is authority, chiefly old, for it, good general usage is against contest without an object—contest the victory, &c. And as there is no possible advantage in writing it, with contend ready to hand, it is better avoided in the intransitive sense.

In the present self-deprecatory mood in which the English people find themselves.—Spectator. (self-depreciatory)

Depreciate, undervalue: deprecate, pray against. A bad but very common blunder.

'An irreparable colleague,' Mr. Gladstone notes in his diary.—. (irreplaceable)