HE MADE HIM UNDERSTAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

HE MADE HIM UNDERSTAND.

A traveller by post-chaise from SAvitzerland to Munich seta forth some of the trials Avhich arise from Avandering in a strange land equipped with no language save one's OAvn. He says: The day Avas hot, the road dusty; I felt very tired and very cross, chiefly because the boy Avho drove me kneAV not a syllable of any language at my cornmaTtd,' At last he jumped cloavu and addressed me.

The Avord Gastbaus indicated that he was inquiring Avhich one of the Munich hotels I. had chosen. I Avanted 'The Golden Stag,' but I did not know its name. So I thought it over, and then began a series of experiments. I bleated like a sheep, and the boy shouted, 'Yaa! yaa!'

But I shook my bead. Then I neighed like a horse, and again he shouted 'Yaa!' and again I shook my head. Next, I barked like a dog, and he shouted a.s before; but by this time he had got into his head the idea of the animal kingdom.

Now I raised both hands to my forehead, and parted my fingers to indicate horns; the boy shouted again. I nodded, and showed him the case of my sih'er Avatch; again he shouted, and I shook my head as before. Lastly, I opened the watch and shoAved him the interior, which was of gold. Then I nodded, slapped his shoulder, made him a complimentary speech in English, and left him to meditate.

He mused for a few minutes, then laughed aloud, leaped on his box, ancl in another half-hour put me down at the doorway of the Golden Stag.