their accuser is cheerfully aware that his own work will supply (as in
making this book it has supplied) many "awful examples"--his later
work less abundantly, he hopes, than his earlier. He nevertheless
believes that this does not disqualify him for showing by other
instances than his own how not to write. The infallible teacher is
still in the forest primeval, throwing seeds to the white blackbirds.

A.B.




THE BLACKLIST

_A_ for _An_. "A hotel." "A heroic man." Before an unaccented aspirate
use an. The contrary usage in this country comes of too strongly
stressing our aspirates.

_Action_ for _Act_. "In wrestling, a blow is a reprehensible action."
A blow is not an action but an act. An action may consist of many
acts.

_Admission_ for _Admittance_. "The price of admission is one dollar."

_Admit_ for _Confess_. To admit is to concede something affirmed. An
unaccused offender cannot admit his guilt.

_Adopt_. "He adopted a disguise." One may adopt a child, or an
opinion, but a disguise is assumed.