(Place of writing not indicated.)—Sends a list of notable words and phrases in Shelton’s translation of Don Quixote.
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Transcript
June 17, 1867
Cervantes
During a perusal of Shelton’s Don Quixote, the writer noted many remarkable or obsolete words and phrases, a list of which he begs to present to the author of the “Bible Word-book.” {1} Ignorance of the Spanish language may have caused the compiler of this list to set down what are merely too literal renderings, or erroneous translations, and possibly some are errors of the press; but it was thought advisable rather to note all than to suffer the loss of any worth recording, by too narrow a system of selection. The edition used—the only one accessible—was that of 1731, in 4 vols., said to be printed “verbatim” from the oldest copy. Of how far this is true the writer cannot judge. While disliking the notion of sending an anonymous communication, the sender hopes Mr. Wright will appreciate the motive which induced it in the present case,—a fear lest it should be thought that an obscure individual desired to thrust himself into the notice of his superiors.
Should the accompanying list be found to be valueless, doubtless Mr. Wright keeps a waste paper basket, and————
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{1} Add. MS b. 74/5/4.