We hope that the amiable Dr. Ostrovsky will find many correspondents in our land. To this end we trust that our readers will fully utilise the address list on the cover of this Gazette. They will thus not only help Esperanto, but also themselves, for in corresponding we learn. [All the advertisements in The Esperantist are worthy of attention.]
We could write many pages on the progress made by Esperanto during last year, but now we will only give the memorabilia of December, 1903.
For a long time past Esperantists have greatly desired a suitable collection of writings as a model of style. To fulfil this requirement, Dr. Zamenhof has just brought out an interesting and most useful work. Here are some phrases from its foreword:--"In order that all shall be able equally to use the language, it is necessary for some models to exist which shall lay down the law for all. This is the reason why, having given way to the request of many Esperantists, I have brought out the _Fundamenta Krestomatio_, which can serve as a model of Esperanto style for all, and can guard the language from the fatal falling away into different dialects. I recommend the attentive perusal of the _Fundamenta Krestomatio_ to all who wish to use written or spoken Esperanto. All the articles are either written by myself, or, if they are written by others, they have been by me corrected, so that their style shall not diverge from that which I myself employ."
The first pages contain simple phrases. At the 18th page commence fables and legends. Then appear many anecdotes, tales, science articles, and lastly poetry. It is possibly a matter for regret that the good Doctor has included 38 pages of his "Hamlet" and 17 from the "Iliad" of Mr. Kofman, because many Esperantists already have these works. But undoubtedly the other 403 pages will suffice to manifest perfect style. (Price 3s., post free, from the Librarian, Esperanto Club).
Another most useful publication is "Komercaj Leteroj," edited by Messrs. Berthelot & Lambert, which will certainly facilitate the use of the language among our commercial friends. It contains 34 letters on divers matters, and a vocabulary in Esperanto, French, German, and English. (Price 7d., post free).