Page:Esperanto (The Universal Language).djvu/9

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Preface to the Revised Edition

This revised edition of my Grammar of the Auxiliary International Language, "Esperanto"—the first published for English readers—has had the great advantage of the personal supervision and official approval of the founder, Dr. Zamenhof.

That it has been prepared to supply a want is not a mere façon de parler. Prior to the appearance of the first edition hundreds of inquirers, from most widely separated sections at home and abroad had written urgently requesting a grammar suitable for English students. These inquirers, for the most part, came to know of the existence of "Esperanto" through the medium of pamphlets, leaflets, letters in the public Press, etc., which could give, of necessity, only the merest idea and outline of the language.

In compiling a book to meet this demand my chief desire and aim has been to prepare a Grammar, which, while being complete in all its parts and containing everything that is necessary for a sound knowledge of the language, should be brief, clear, full, but not redundant.

To the following gentlemen I return my best thanks for their exceeding great kindness and cordial co-operation:—Monsieur L. de Beaufront, President of the Committee of Direction (for Es-