arbitrary, devoid of rule, illogical. If, after long
years of such instruction, a spark of logicality still remains in our
mind, it proves that our natural logicality is powerful and enduring!

Now let us inquire what would happen if our children should learn our
valued Esperanto immediately on entering school.

Here they find perfect logic. Reading would be but a game, the
grammatical rules would ever be free from exceptions. Everything
would be explicable, everything could, and ought to, be explained.
Accurate use of the International Language would force them into a
severe analysis of their thoughts. They would no longer be accustomed
to write and think in accordance with models prepared and sanctioned
by popular usage, and even for the concise expression of their
thoughts in their mother tongue they would derive great benefit from
this analytical exercise.

I, personally, have found that the study of Esperanto has
demonstrated to me much of my own tongue, which hitherto I had not
understood or appreciated. Innumerable gallicisms, even incorrect use
of words, have I discovered with astonishment.

On discussing this subject with Esperantist friends, I have found
that I am not alone in thinking thus. All are unanimous.

Do you, dear Friend-in-Esperanto, who read this article, not agree?

_Lauxsence tradukita de_ H.B.M.

MIA AVINO.

Originale verkita Skizo de Esperantisto 8384.

Cxu vi konis mian avinon?

Jen do estas sxia portreto: Sxi mortis nauxdek ses jara, kaj sxia
kuracisto diris, ke sxi mortis kiel birdo--eble li volis signifi "pro
natura morto," kaj mi diras: "Pro maljuneco."

Kia ajn la kauxzo, mia avino apartenis al belaj tipoj de antikvaj
nobelaj maljunulinoj, kies pentrajxojn ni rimarkas cxe antikvaj
familioj.

Cxiam apud la fenestro aux trikante, aux petante de Dio favorojn por
sxia malgranda familio, sxi estis, kiel mi sxin memoras, ankoraux
bela, spite sxia maljuneco.--Maloftaj argxentaj haroj, bluaj okuloj,
roza vizagxo, plenaj vangoj kaj blankaj dentoj--jen estas memora
fotografajxo.

Pri sxia hejma vivado, mi nur diros, ke sxi estis vera modelo de
korboneco kaj pacienco. Nu, sxi posedis kuriozan posxhorlogxon, kiu,
cxiun kvaronhoron, sonadis valson aux polkon, per speciala
mehxanismo.

Foje, sxi rakontis al mi tiun cxi historieton:--

"Tagon mi eniris pregxejon por konfesi min, sed, ektimante, ke
mia konfesprenanto min riprocxus pro mia longa forestado, mi
enmetis en mia