MONTH BY MONTH.

Chaucer.

Reading those words of the "Father of English Poetry," we naturally call to mind the history of Esperanto. All now know how the first words, spoken in the Polish Warsaw, have become more widely known, until they have finally reached their goal, the ends of the earth. And we to-day gladly note that the little waves of sound, ever widening, have at last covered all the earth, for an Esperanto Society now exists in New Zealand. Fortunate in the possession of a strong Committee, this most modern of Societies has commenced a vigorous existence, fostered by the Colonial smartness and energy which ever characterises the New World.

On a reprint of an advertisement in the Auckland Star we read:—

Esperanto—and International Fraternalism.—See Advert.

Esperanto—the vogue of the 20th Century.—See Advert.

Esperanto—makes perfect our imperfect speech.—See Advert.

Esperanto—of pleasurable usefulness to all.—See Advert.

Esperanto—effects contact with present-day European thought.—See Advert.

Esperanto—the Key Language.—See Advert.

We quote this as a specimen of Colonial efforts at propaganda, which, when added to "Esperanto swimming races," "Esperanto games," etc., form a desirable addition to the hitherto adopted methods.

As the waves of sound have now, as we have just seen, reached their limit, they naturally tend to contract, and, when summer comes, they should have become concentrated once more, not at Warsaw, but at Boulogne, the welcome haven of the Esperantists.

The memorable gathering bids fair to eclipse our expectations. Maitre Michaux, the indefatigable, daily receives promises to be present, and many of the visitors intend to profit by the opportunity, and visit London before or after the Congress. The date of the latter has been definitely fixed for August 3th–13th; the principal meetings will take place on the 6th and 10th of the month. Tickets of admission to all meetings, festivities, and ceremonies cost only half-a-crown, and so can in no way check the visit of as many friends-in-Esperanto as possible. It is to be hoped that we in London will be able to devise some social gatherings to entertain our future foreign visitors.

Such functions as the Annual Meeting of the London Esperanto Club, which took place on January 12th at the Essex Hall, give great stimulus to the Cause. On the occasion in question many kind helpers rendered songs, recitations, and dramatic selections in Esperanto, and numerous favourable criticisms appeared in the British Press on the following day.

Just before that well-attended meeting the Gazette of the B.E.A. made its first appearance, under an attractive green cover. It should serve its purpose, namely, to unite the divers groups and assist general British propaganda. We hasten to send our best wishes for the success of this journal. Its contents amount to approximately half those of The Esperantist, and the subscription is likewise in proportion.

Somewhat similar in form and appearance is the new and pleasing Germana Esperantisto, which is worthy of our Teutonic friends, and which should, in consequence, have a steadily growing circulation.

The New Russian Monthly is expected shortly, and should also be a valuable addition to our already impressive Library. We are pleased to note that the Vestnik Znanja (Scientific Review) now issues a free Esperanto supplement, containing a short monthly text-book. Our contributor, Mr. Kolowrat, has also recently published a Rhyme-vocabulary and a pretty song, "Kuraĝe antaŭen," which he will send on receipt of six stamps (Morskaja 29, St. Petersburg).

Turkey has so far been rather in the background, and it is with especial pleasure that we learn of the foundation of an Esperanto course in one of the principal colleges, where the students show the usual enthusiasm for the language. Maybe, had this fact been known a few months back, Gergovio might have visited Turkey on her Esperanto journey.

But perhaps our readers are not aware of her existence. We certainly were most surprised when she put in an appearance at Christmastide, to spend the happy season in foggy London. Indeed the fog was so bad that the postman had no easy task to deposit her at her destination. We suppose that such world-encircling letters will soon become common, so we will here look into Gergovio’s history since she left her home in Clermont-Ferrand last July.

After visiting Belgium, Sweden, Bohemia, Russia, Germany, she entered England, only to be promptly despatched to Canada, whence to the United States, Mexico, Peru, India, Malta, Italy, Algiers, and, finally, "Home, sweet home." Each recipient added a few words of welcome, so that the document will indeed be a curiosity, if it survives the perils of the journey round the world.

An exceptional number of articles on Esperanto have appeared during the last month, and we note with interest that the American New Era has lent a hand on the other side of the herring-pond.

On the contrary, new books have not been plentiful. An adaptation of the Penny Text-book has been published by Messrs. Hachette in French, and Messrs. Borel have published another brochure and a little work on "Curved Lines" (23 pp.; 7d.).

Although "La Ventego" was printed by the New Year, we only received them from the binders a few at a time. We are glad to say that now all early purchasers have been supplied, and that a great number of approving letters have been already received from our friends.

As there seemed to be a need for some nicely got-up booklet, suitable for presentation, where the usual paper-back brochures would not be acceptable, we now publish "The Esperanto Language Practically Considered and Described," by our well-known friend and eminent philologist, Dr. Lloyd, of Liverpool. In neat cloth cover (with portrait), this book can now be obtained at 10d. a copy, or 9s. the dozen.

We trust that it will likewise receive the approval of our readers, and will serve to gain fresh adherents from the ranks of the linguists and scholars to whom it is intended to appeal.

In conclusion, we desire to thank all correspondents who kindly sent Christmas and New Year cards.

The Editor.