"EGREGIOUS SIR."

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 14

"EGREGIOUS SIR."

ENGLISH A LA ITALIENNE. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 2. Most of us have some time in our lives smiled broadly at the attempts of the Babu -to make his wants known in the English language on paper, but methinks few of the Hindu's efforts in English composition that have appeared in print were calculated to tickle the risible faculty more than a letter recently received by Mr. Hay Halkett, the Woolwich stipendiary magistrate, from an Italian girl seeking news of a British Tommy whose friendship she made what time "our boys" were assisting to redeem the debacle of Caporetto:— "Egregious Sir, City Magistrate, England, of Woolwich, S.E., —Kindly excuse, Sir, if also this time I write to you,.but as I have had the proof of your exquisite gentility, when in the 8 January, 1919, I have again taken the liberty of write to you for information of the Sapper that for your mid I have had its news properly from Himself from in the what he was recovered for a seriously illness. "After that I have been knowing that He has left this Hospital, but thenceforward I have not known nothing beyond. So, sir, I pray of your courtesy (if this is possible) a some news of Him. I am displeasing to disturb you, but as 1 know not his precise address, and knowing that he is from "Woolwich, have taken the courage of write to you, and X hope you will be so genteel of answer j a short line to this regard. "Believed not, Sir, that I may have a adventurer whatsoever, and that I made this enquiry for motive not goods, hut I assure you that it is only, and merely, for the sincere friendship that I have always kept for him, again from he December, 1917, when 1 with my family were to the Front, and I cannot understand the reason, Because He may not have given mc its news of health again. "Now I ask you to sincerely pardon of my liberty, and with the my infinite thanks, I remain for allways of" you, sincerely, grateful, and oblige" "-."