The Purist Purized (11-12)

Lycinus

Now, can you tell me the difference between ‘setting’ and ‘sitting,’ or between ‘be seated ’ and ‘sit’?

Purist

No; but I have heard you say that ‘sit yourself’ is a barbarism,;

Lycinus

Yes, quite so; but now I tell you that ‘be seated ’ is not the same as ‘sit.’

Purist

Why, what may the difference be?

Lycinus

When a man is on his legs, you can only tell him to be seated; but if he is seated already, you can tell him to sit still.

Sit where thou art; we find us seats: elsewhere. It means ‘remain sitting,’ you see. Here again we have to say that it is a mistake to reverse the expressions. And as to ‘set’ and ‘sit,’ surely it is the whole difference between transitive and intransitive?

Purist

That is clear enough; go on; this is the way to teach.

Lycinus

Or the only way you can learn? Well, do you know what a historian is? [*]

Purist

Oh, yes, I quite see, after your lucid explanation.

Lycinus

Now I daresay you think servility and servitude are the same; but I am aware of a considerable difference between them.

Purist

Namely—?

Lycinus

The first depends on yourself, the other on some one else.

Purist

Quite right.

Lycinus

Oh, you will pick up all sorts of information, if you give up thinking you know more than you do.

Purist

I give it up from this moment.

Lycinus

Then we will break off for the present, and take the rest another time H. and