CHAPTER XIV.



In addition to his ignorant conversation upon many topics, young
Henry had an incorrigible misconception and misapplication of many
WORDS. His father having had but few opportunities of discoursing
with him, upon account of his attendance at the court of the
savages, and not having books in the island, he had consequently
many words to learn of this country's language when he arrived in
England. This task his retentive memory made easy to him; but his
childish inattention to their proper signification still made his
want of education conspicuous.

He would call COMPLIMENTS, LIES; RESERVE, he would call PRIDE;
STATELINESS, AFFECTATION; and for the words WAR and BATTLE, he
constantly substituted the word MASSACRE.

"Sir," said William to his father one morning, as he entered the
room, "do you hear how the cannons are firing, and the bells
ringing?"

"Then I dare say," cried Henry, "there has been another massacre."

The dean called to him in anger, "Will you never learn the right use
of words? You mean to say a battle."