Clay Lane: the Blog

36 16 May

‘The Gloria Scott’ is a short story in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In that tale, James Armitage received the following letter, which threw him into a pitiable state of anxiety. See if you can spot the hidden message.

The supply of game for London is going steadily up. Head-keeper Hudson, we believe, has been now told to receive all orders for fly paper and for preservation of your hen pheasant’s life.

Solution

Now see if you can compose another letter, using the same system, for the cable received by Carruthers in ‘The Solitary Cyclist’ (a story in The Return of Sherlock Holmes).

The old man is dead.

Suggestion

37 15 May

The Great and the Good

by Daniel Defoe

Introduction — In 1722 the Duke of Marlborough died, the most celebrated English general of the War of the Spanish Succession, during which he never suffered a defeat. The splendour of the ceremonies, the national mourning, the monuments in his honour, the wealth he had accumulated, Daniel Defoe described them all; and then he reminded us: he is dead.

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38 15 May

Disappearing Act

N. gives a verb and names one of the three kinds of sentence, viz. Statement, Question, Command. M. uses the word in that kind of sentence. For example:

1 Disappear, in a Question.

2 Bring, in a Command.

3 Keep, in a Statement.

More verbs: IAdmit. IIFry. IIILook. IVPlay. VScrub.

Since commands can be as short as a single word, let’s say that sentences should be seven words or more in length.

Based on an exercise in Think and Speak (1929) by NL Clay.

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39 14 May

Red Faced

Below are three sentences taken from Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. The words have been jumbled up: see if you can restore them to the original order.

1 thinking married he’s getting of

2 hair to blushed the of up eleanor her roots.

3 unhappy harding this mr very all made

Sentences from Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

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40 14 May

Good Sense

Rewrite the following sentences, keeping the same idea but avoiding the word ‘unless’.

1I don’t know how she managed, unless by good sense and good humour.

Mary Russell Mitford, Our Village

2I don’t mean to believe it unless I have it fairly proved before witnesses.

Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

3Unless a nation is ruled by its best elements it must wither and decay.

Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche

For Example

“I won’t go unless you all go too,” Alice said.

Edith Nesbit, The Treasure Seekers

“If you all don’t go too,” said Alice, “I won’t go.”

“You’ve all got to come along,” Alice said, “otherwise I won’t go.”

“I’m not going without you, all of you” said Alice.”

41 13 May

The Coronation of Anne Boleyn

by J. A. Froude

Introduction — On Saturday afternoon, May 31st, 1533, Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was taken from the Tower of London to Westminster Hall, to be crowned in the Abbey next morning. The wider public was disgusted by the way Henry had jilted Catherine, by a two-year affair, a secret marriage, and a controversial divorce (in that order); yet crowded streets were hung with bunting, and the cavalcade was magnificent.

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42 13 May

Abstract

Use the following words in sentences, as a Noun, Verb or Adjective. How have you used your word, and how do you know?

IAbstract. IIDark. IIIIdeal. IVMinute. VPrompt. VISurprise.

43 Yesterday

Better By Example

by Gregory Nazianzen

Introduction — From 361 to 363, the Roman Empire was ruled by Julian the Apostate, so named because he had been brought up as a Christian but had chosen Roman paganism instead. In 362, Julian began a systematic persecution of Christians, leading to anger and rebellion. Gregory, a priest in the town of Nazianzus, told his parishioners not to play Julian’s game — even when the tables were turning.

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44 Yesterday

Speed Clues

This is really a game for two. Suppose you have been given a secret list containing the five words below. Can you help your friend guess all five words in under a minute?

IVeterinary surgeon. IISieve. IIIScent. IVTwist. VBang.

You can use definitions like those you find in a dictionary, or just anything you know your friend will ‘get’. Don’t use the word itself, or a word that sounds exactly the same.

For example

Detective.

A person, especially a police officer, who attempts to solve crimes by deductive reasoning.

Or more simply, Sherlock Holmes was a private one.

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