*"KINDNESS*, /n. /A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction."
K
PS - *"K* is a consonant that we get from the Greeks, but it can be
traced away back beyond them to the Cerathians, a small commercial
nation inhabiting the peninsula of Smero. In their tongue it was called
/Klatch,/ which means "destroyed." The form of the letter was originally
precisely that of our H, but the erudite Dr. Snedeker explains that it
was altered to its present shape to commemorate the destruction of the
great temple of Jarute by an earthquake, /circa/ 730 B.C. This building
was famous for the two lofty columns of its portico, one of which was
broken in half by the catastrophe, the other remaining intact. As the
earlier form of the letter is supposed to have been suggested by these
pillars, so, it is thought by the great antiquary, its later was adopted
as a simple and natural --- not to say touching --- means of keeping the
calamity ever in the national memory. It is not known if the name of the
letter was altered as an additional mnemonic, or if the name was always
/Klatch/ and the destruction one of nature's pums. As each theory seems
probable enough, I see no objection to believing both --- and Dr.
Snedeker arrayed himself on that side of the question."
On 6/16/2012 12:47 AM, Joe wrote:
Kris,
I hope you have a copy of Ambrose Bierce's THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY
about (Dover prints a nice copy for a dollar or two).
Well, your reply puts me in mind of his definition of "Politeness":
"Politeness, n.; The most acceptable hypocrisy."
Cheers!!,
--Joe
> Kristopher Grey <kris@...> wrote:
>
> Nonsense. Imitation is the least original form of ignorance.
