This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ... about it that I could see. beyond a red crest, rather larger than usual, which displayed an impossible animal armed with battle axe. /lassant, and the legend fipr unlnn ml altiorn. I handed it back again. "Well, what's the matter with that?" "That Mr. Lobinson send me yesterday, you see. Mr. Lobinson, Nan-sing teaman, ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ... about it that I could see. beyond a red crest, rather larger than usual, which displayed an impossible animal armed with battle axe. /lassant, and the legend fipr unlnn ml altiorn. I handed it back again. "Well, what's the matter with that?" "That Mr. Lobinson send me yesterday, you see. Mr. Lobinson, Nan-sing teaman, you know go home last year get married. Before, he chits never have got this chop; just now catchee. how fashion? I have see plenty foreigner writing paper use this kind thing before and never understand it, you see. So I come to you, ask you please explain." Li's English is a little above pidgin when he talks slowly, but it lapses when he has much to say or is too interested to weigh his words. Whew! Robinson's fabulous monster had awakened a thirst for knowledge difficult to satisfy. It was a big order. There sat Li. representing in body and mind untold centuries of Orientalism, asking me the meaning and object of Western heraldry: as well try and teach a cat to bark. Nevertheless, I knew from experience that if I said it would be unintelligible to 74 ARMS AND THE MAS him, he would infer that I did not understand it myself. Ho I began by giving him the origin of crests. King Arthur's knights--in modified English; the chivalry of the Middle Ages, and our long wars with France. From that I wandered, unaccompanied by Li, to the College of Heralds and order of Poursuiants. And, finally. I tried to explain how it is that in these modern times, although hand-to-hand combats are out of date, armour useless and promiscuous manslaughter unfashionable, the peaceful modern merchant-man likes to keep on his note paper and spoons the coat-of-arms of some real or imaginary cut-throat of by-gone days Then, taking Robinson's armorial be...
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