TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 18830, 25 May 1920, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

America, the home of the cult, is seeing a setback in the simplified spelling movement. After giving approval and pa- ; to the scheme for several years the Modern Lanrtiare Association of America has abandoned the innovation and goes definitely into opposition. The reasons given arc lack of public interest in the new spelling, iiv failure to make progress, and its offensivenefs to some members of the association. These reasons are not very weighty' and thev are unite irrelevant fn (he arguments in behalf of a more nearly phonetic spelling, but they do account for the failure of the would-be reformers. The feelings of the members of the Modern Language Association ire those of a majority' too large to be overcome, and it is evident that the simplification of our .-.pelling in the future ns in the patt will be by slow degrees, practically accidental in character. English spelling is, indeed, the very worst in all the world, full of the wildest incons.stcncies, and as indefensible on etymological grounds as on • common seme, but it has the great merit of being familiar to millions and mdbons of readers, and for the sake of ih.ir one merit they' are content to accept it ; innumerable faults. As no question of morals is involved, consciences are unaffected. In spelling as in language, what is, is right, and controversy is of little use.

I: w interesting to find that in the Land of ihc Dollar there are as many’ opportunities for the people who “trim” the credulous us in any other country. Recent file: of the New York papers show that the "Spank-h prisoner swindle,” which has been exposed thousands of times, is still being succeeasfully used to relieve the easily glided of re.q e'.i.i.-lo sums of money. . The Spanish Prisoner gang has been working for something like twenty years, and a letter from Madrid turns up every little while in

every country. These letters usually tell the story of a prisoner who knows the whereabouts of a huge fortune. If some financial aid is given the prisoner can secure his release and will share the treasure. There are, of course, other little trimmings, such as the reason for picking on the particular victim. One of the peculiar features of the gang's operations is the knowledge that is displayed at times regarding the addressee’s habitation and acquaintances, which give the letters in these cases an air of authenticity. It is probably the appeal to cupidity, that catches most of the victims, and considering the time that the swindle has been going on it must be fairly successful.

In her own theatre and playing her famous role of Athalie in Racine’s play of that name, Sarah Bernhardt returned to the Paris stage early in April. According to Paris papers the reception of the great actress was one of the most striking tributes ever paid to her. When she was carried on the stage in the golden litter of Athalie, surrounded by attendants, the audience cheered and wept in a kind of frenzy, which even she, in all her fifty years of triumphs, had never known equalled. It was many minutes before she could begin to speak the lines of the great tragedy. In spite of her seventy-five years, in spite of her infirmities, including partial blindness, her power, it is stated, seemed as great as over to interpret the terrible grandeur of the Eastern Queen and yet show a II the impulsive indecision which Racine attributed to her. In her welcome there was as great a tribute to her unimpaired art as to her fame and personality.. Between the acts hundreds sought to see her in her dressing room and kiss her hand. Among them was Mine. Deschanel, wife of the President of the Republic. The room was heaped high with baskets of flowers, and for some minutes it was crowded to its utmost with famous people came to do homage. But Mdme. -Bernhard:; is as imperious as the Queen of Racine’s play. Between the acts it has been her custom, ever since she became so great as to be a law unto herself, to sleep, it may be for >n minutes or half an hour between acts, and in accordance with that rule every one was soon hurried out of the room, and the great tragedienne, in her magnificent robes and wig, lay down to rest until .she was sufficiently rested to play the second act.