Chapter 16

12. Es demasiado barato para ser de lana.

13. Si desea V. obtener órdenes debe tener mucha consideración para los corresponsales.

14. No puedo prometerle entrega para 1° de Junio exactamente, pero haré por efectuarla por esa fecha.

15. ¿Conoce V. el refrán: "No hay mal que por bien no venga"? (It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.)

EXERCISE 2 (90).

Translate into Spanish--

1. This sample looks very nice for an imitation.

2. It being in your line, I thought I ought to give you the first chance (hacerle la primera oferta) in case it would tempt you (por si acaso le animara á comprar).

3. To begin with you would have to engage the cloth to us (darnos la exclusividad).

4. I have no objection provided you guarantee a certain turnover (venta).

5. He was appointed sole agent for the whole of Mexico through the recommendation of his brother-in-law, and his agreement with the firm is for 3 years certain (fijos).

6. That will bring him (le producirá) £500 a year if it brings him a penny (por lo menos).

7. Being such an important concern (casa) they do not pay their staff very handsomely (generosamente).

8. They are too remiss with (en) their payments to be such important people.

9. I very nearly pledged myself to grant him the exclusive sale of my article.

10. These are his instructions for the disposal of his goods

11. However clear they may be, we must have his cable confirmed by a letter.

12. Therefore we cannot entertain your offer for the present.

13. It cannot be helped, otherwise (Tenga paciencia, si fuese posible) we would do everything for you.

LESSON XLVI. (Lección cuadragésima sexta.)

THE PREPOSITION (_contd._)

To the uses of _Por_ must be added the following (optional)--

After the following verbs:

Agradecer (por) el favor: To be grateful or to be thankful for the favour.

Aguardar _or_ esperar (por) alguno: To wait for somebody.

Pedir (por) una cosa: To ask for (request) something.

Preguntar (por) una cosa: To ask for (to inquire about) something.

He pagado por él cinco chelines _or_ lo he pagado cinco chelines: I paid five shillings for it.

Buscar (por) alguno ó alguna cosa: To look for somebody or something.

Dispensar (por) el error: To excuse the error.

Further uses of the Spanish prepositions different from the English, and forming idioms--

A caballo (on horseback) Á ciegas (blindly) Á consecuencia de esto (in consequence of this) Á deshora (inopportunely) Á duras penas (with great efforts) Á esconditas (covertly) Á fe de caballero (upon the word of a gentleman) Á gatas (on all fours) Á hurtadillas (stealthily) Á la española (in the Spanish fashion) Á la mesa (at table) Al antojo de uno (after one's fancy) Á la tarde (in the afternoon) A la verdad (in truth) Al descuido y con cuidado (studiously careless) Á lo largo del río (along the river) Á lo que parece (to all appearances) Hecho a máquina (made by machinery) Á pie (on foot) Á poco de escribir (shortly after having commenced writing) Á propósito (opportunely, à propos) Á regañadientes (reluctantly) Á saberlo yo (had I known it) Á sangre fría (in cold blood) Á sus anchas, anchuras (at one's ease) A tiro de cañón (within cannon shot) Es más hábil que yo, con mucho (he is cleverer than I by far) Con ser amigo y todo (although he be a friend) Contra el norte (facing the north) De año en ano (from year to year) De balde (for nothing, gratis) De bóbilis (without effort) De broma (in jest) De buenas á buenas (willingly) De buenas a primeras (straight away) De capa caída (crestfallen) De contado (of course) De día, etc. (by day, etc.) De jaleo (on the spree) De luto (in mourning) De mejor en mejor (from better to better) ¡Ay _or_ Infeliz de mí! (woe to me!) De miedo (through fear) Anteojos de oro (gold spectacles) De patitas (on shanks' pony) De peor en peor (from bad to worse) De perillas (venir) (quite opportunely, à propos) El picaruelo de Perico (that young rascal Perico) De pies á cabeza (from head to foot) De puntillas (on tiptoe) De repente (suddenly) Del todo (at all) De veras (in truth) Dos á dos (two by two) Está en casa (he is at home) En estas condiciones (under these conditions) En señal de aprecio (as a mark of esteem) Entrecano (gray-haired) Entre dos aguas (doubtful, perplexed) Entre la espada y la pared (between the devil and the deep sea) Nos dió 5 pesetas para repartir entre yo[207] y mi hermano (he gave us 5 pesetas to be divided between my brother and me) Hasta la vista (good-bye for the present) Hasta los animales tienen gratitud (even animals feel gratitude) Sobre las diez (at about ten o'clock) Tiene sobre los treinta (he is about thirty years old) Sobre más 6 menos (a little more or less) Tras la pérdida el escarnio (besides the loss the scoffing)

[Footnote 207: _Entre_ is generally followed by the nominative case unless it means "to" as--Dijo entre sí. He said to himself.]

About different prepositions used in Spanish and English after certain verbs, see also Appendix V.

The following are the principal compound prepositions--

Acerca de (relating to, concerning) Á despecho de (in spite of) Á pesar de (in spite of) Antes de (before--in point of time) Cerca de (near) Junto á (near) Conforme á (according to) Con respecto á (with respect to) Respecto de (with respect to) Debajo de (under) Dentro de (inside) Después de (after) Encima de (on, or over) En cuanto á (as to) En frente de (opposite) Frente á (opposite) En lugar de (instead of) En vez de (opposite)

VOCABULARY.

=acordonado=, corded =agujas=, needles =alechugado=, frilled =alemaniscos=, linen damasks =alfileres=, pins =antojo=, whim, caprice =árbitro=, arbitrator =arreglado=, reasonable (price) =arrollar=, to roll =batas=, wrappers (ladies') =bodega=, cellar, also hold (ship) =chales=, shawls =dedales=, thimbles =desinteresarse=, to abandon *=desplegar=, to unfold =dictamen=, award, decision =entrepuentes=, between decks =festoneados=, scalloped =gratificación=, gratuity =guarniciones, adornos=, trimmings =lanillas para banderas=, buntings =listados de algodón=, cotton stripes =logro=, attainment =ovillos de algodón=, cotton balls =pañol, carbonera=, bunker (ships') =pintura=, paint =rehusar=, to decline =sábanas=, bed sheets =subasta=, auction =tablillas=, boards =tablones=, planks =terliz=, ticking =terreno=, land, property =trencilla=, braid

EXERCISE 1 (91).

Translate into English--

1. Agradezco (por) el interés demostrado á mi amigo y la actividad desplegada en facilitarle el logro de sus fines.

2. Hemos dado diez mil duros por este terreno y no lo hemos pagado demasiado caro.

3. No puede V. rehusar los alemaniscos y quedarse con los géneros para sábanas y los terlices, á su antojo.

4. Á la verdad las agujas y alfileres han resultado algo caros como también los dedales pero las trencillas, guarniciones, y ovillos de algodón son á precio muy arreglado.

5. Vino muy á deshora y á poco de haberse sentado nos declaró que no esperaría.

6. Estos chales á 4 chelines y estos listados de algodón á 5 peniques la yarda son de balde, no lo decimos de broma.

7. Accedió á nuestra propuesta de buenas á buenas y de buenas á primeras nos depositó la suma de 1,000 francos.

8. Los fondos austríacos van de peor en peor y por eso está nuestro parroquiano de capa caída.

9. En tales condiciones preferimos desinteresarnos del proyecto.

10. Estuvimos entre dos aguas por algún tiempo, pero una vez puestos entre la espada y la pared (once we are so hard pressed) no nos queda más sino hablar claro, y ¡lo dicho!

EXERCISE 2 (92).

Translate into Spanish--

1. They await the result of the inquiry (información).

2. We forward you the papers relating to the Arbitrator's award.

3. He paid for the Buntings 5d. a yard.

4. In consequence of your having outstepped (excedido) our instructions, we must decline all responsibility with respect to delivery.

5. We have put boards inside the pieces according to our usual custom; we did not know you wanted them rolled.

6. Our new offices will be next to the Oil and Paint Stores (almacén), and opposite the General Post Office (casa de correos).

7. The planks used under the bales for dunnage (la estiva) were sold almost for nothing, in spite of our request to hold them at our disposal.

8. The steamer can carry 4,000 bales a little more or less if she fills her holds and takes cargo between decks.

9. She will take that quite easily and a few hundred bales more in her bunkers.

10. As a mark of our appreciation (estima) we authorize a gratuity to the Captain of £5.

11. The salvage (salvamento) has been sold partly by auction and partly by private treaty.

12. To all appearances the corded and frilled wrappers are superior to the scalloped.

LESSON XLVII. (Lección cuadragiésima séptima.)

THE CONJUNCTION.

_Si_ (if and whether).

_Si_ used for "whether" may be followed by a verb in any mood and tense as in English--

No sé si habrá buena cosecha este año: I do not know whether there will be a good crop this year.

No pudo, _or_ supo, decirme si me entregaría los pagarés para la fecha convenida: He could not tell me whether he would be able to hand me the promissory notes for the date agreed upon.

_Si_ used as the conditional "if," is followed by the verb in the present indicative or imperfect subjunctive, as--

Si viene hoy le pagaré: If he comes to-day, I shall pay him.

Si viene mañana le pagaré[208]: If he comes to-morrow I shall pay him.

Le dije que si viniese le pagaría: I told him that if he came I should pay him.

[Footnote 208: When the action refers to the future the "future subjunctive" may be used instead, but this is rarely done. _It emphasises the uncertainty._]

The sense will determine the tense to be used.

Notice the following idiomatic uses of _si_ (not conditional)--

Si soy (fuí) malo! Well, I am (was) wicked! ¡Si será (sería) tan necia! Can (could) she be so foolish! ¿Si vendría? I wonder will he come! ¡Si se lo había dicho yo mil veces! But I had told him so many times!

Other idiomatic uses of this _si_ will be learnt by practice (all more or less pleonastic as in the above examples).

We have said that "but" is translated by _sino_ after a negative unless a finite verb follows. Therefore, "Not to buy but to sell" is translated "No comprar sino vender."

After a negative a finite verb may be preceded by _sino que_ instead of _pero_ in cases like the following examples--

No compró sino que vendió: He did not buy but (on the contrary) he sold. No sólo que es barato sino que es de muy buena calidad: Not only is it cheap, but it is (also) of a very good quality.

_Ni ... ni_--"neither ... nor" (same as all negative words) when following a verb requires _No_ to precede the verb, as--

No acepta ni esto ni aquello: He accepts neither this nor that.

But--Ni esto ni aquello quiere aceptar.

_Pues_--"seeing that" or "since" is used often for "then," "but," "well" (used as an interjection).

Pues que lo haga: Let him do it then.

Quiso desobedecerme, pues vera su falta: He _would_ disobey me, but he will see his fault.

Pues (_or_ pues bien) ¡que hay ahora! Well! what is the matter now?

We shall conclude the lesson with the different meanings of _Ya_ (sometimes used also redundantly). They are given for the sake of completeness although _Ya_ in its different uses belongs to different parts of speech--

Ya lo ha hecho: He has done it already. Ya lo hará: He will do it yet. Ya no se hace esto: This is done no longer. Ya consienten, ya rehusan: Now they consent, now they refuse. Ya consientan, ya rehusen: Whether they consent, etc. Haré cuanto quieras si ya no me pides lo imposible: I shall do anything you wish if you do not ask (unless you ask) me for impossibilities. Ya que escribió: Since (seeing that) he wrote. Ya ve V.: You see now. Ya voy: I am coming. Ya se ve: It is evident. Ya, ya: Yes, of course.

VOCABULARY.

*=abolir=, to abolish *=advertir=, to warn =alegar=, to allege =al revés=, on the wrong side =barnices=, varnishes =barrica=, cask =batista de algodón=, cambric =baúl=, trunk =betunes=, blacking =bicicleta=, bicycle =botines=, boots =bramante=, twine =bufandas=, mufflers =buje=, hub =cerradura=, lock =chanclos=, goloshes =cintos de seda=, silk sashes =cinturones de cuero=, leather belts =colchas de plumón=, down quilts =consignatario=, consignee =ejecutar=, to execute, to put through *=hacer escala=, to call at (ships) =llantas=, tyres =maleta=, portmanteau =mango=, handle =marca=, brand, mark =merma=, loss, leakage, shortage =muebles de bejuco=, rattan furniture =niquelado=, nickel-plated *=perder cuidado=, not to worry =rayos=, rays, spokes (wheels) =reborde=, rim, flange =remolacha=, beetroot =rezumar=, to leak =tejido elástico=, webbing =zapatos=, shoes

EXERCISE 1 (93).

Translate into English--

1. No sé si habrá vapor de la Trasatlántica en fecha conveniente.

2. Si lo hay lo preferiré.

3. Esos vapores arrancan (start) de Liverpool y hacen escalas en varios puertos.

4. Ignoraba si habría servicio mensual en la línea de Canarias.

5. Mandé quinientas piezas Batista de algodón si la hubiese en existencia.

6. Quiero un baúl y una buena maleta de piel de Rusia con cerradura niquelada si las hay (_or_ hubiere).

7. Pierda V. Cuidado ¡si las hay de toda especie!

8. ¿Si me venderá esos muebles de bejuco?

9. ¿Cómo no? si ya se lo tiene prometido.

10. El comercio del caucho se ha desarrollado mucho, se usa ahora en grande escala no sólo para llantas neumáticas de bicicletas y otras piezas (parts) sino también para gomas de automóviles.

11. No sólo tengo que cambiar el mango de mi bicicleta sino reemplazar los rebordes y componer el buje y algunos rayos de la rueda.

12. No es posible hallar botines de señoras y zapatos más elegantes que los de nuestra marca, ni se pueden conseguir más baratos en parte alguna.

13. Pues que me facture esos bramantes (twine) y ese yute y cáñamo.

14. Ya he colocado un pedido para bufandas y ya veré si me tiene cuenta pero no mande barnices ni betunes pues ya no trato en estos artículos.

15. Ya, ya. V. se ha dedicado ya á los géneros en pieza, si no me engaño, pues V. ya dice una cosa ya otra.

16. ¡Señor Juan! Ya voy (I am coming).

EXERCISE 2 (94).

Translate into Spanish--

1. Whether he puts through my order for leather belts and silk sashes or not, I do not much mind, but if he should oblige me, I would do him a good turn (le haría algún servicio) if the opportunity presents itself.

2. If the webbing and down quilts are good, I shall not begrudge (no me pesará) the advance in price.

3. Can it be true (si) that the gate or octroi duty (el impuesto de consumos) is going to be abolished in Spain?

4. Well (pues) the Government has presented a bill to that effect and I hope we shall soon see the octroi offices (fielatos) abolished.

5. The broker was warned that the quality was only fair average (mediana).

6. Beetroot has been largely planted in the province of Granada and is now in great request for the sugar industry.

7. We strove hard (nos hemos esforzado mucho) to introduce the new brand and we have gained our point[209] at last.

8. The cloth was folded on the wrong side and we anticipate some difficulty on that score (por esta razón).

9. The consignees claim shortage (indemnización por falta de contenido).

10. They allege that the casks were leaking and that there was consequently a loss of thirty gallons (galones).

[Footnote 209: To gain one's point: Salir con la suya.]

VOCABULARY.

I. SPANISH-ENGLISH.

=A=

=abacá=, Manilla hemp =abajo=, below =abaratamiento=, cheapening =abarcar=, to embrace, to include =abarrotado=, glutted, cram full =abastecerse=, to supply oneself =abasto=, supply =abedul=, birch =abeto=, fir =ablandar=, to soften =abogado=, lawyer, solicitor, barrister =abogar=, to plead =abolir=, to abolish =abonar=, to speak for, to recommend, to credit =abordar=, to accost, to approach, to board =abrigar=, to shelter, to cherish (hope) =abril=, April =abrir=, to open =abrir agua=, to leak =absolutamente=, absolutely =abuso=, abuse =acá, aquí=, here =acabado=, finish (cloth) =acabar=, to finish =acabar de ..=., to have just =acaudalado=, rich, wealthy =acceder=, to accede =accidente=, accident =acciones=, actions, shares =acciones preferences=, preference shares =accionista=, shareholder =aceite=, oil =acerca de=, relating to =acero=, steel =acertar á=, to happen, to contrive =acoger=, to admit, to receive =acolchado=, quilting =aconsejar=, to advise, to counsel =acorazado=, iron-clad =acordar=, to agree =acordarse=, to remember =acordonado=, corded =acreditar=, to credit =actas=, acts, deeds =actitud=, attitude =active=, active =activo y pasivo=, assets and liabilities =actual=, present, current, instant (month) =acudir=, to attend, to have recourse to =acusar=, to accuse, to show =adecuado, proporcionado=, adequate =aderezo=, finish (cloth) =adeudar=, to debit =adherir á=, to adhere to =adjunto=, enclosed, herewith =administrador=, manager (of a branch house, etc.) =admitir=, to admit, to accept, to acknowledge =adornos=, trimmings =adquirir=, to acquire =á duras penas=, with great effort =advertir=, to notice, to warn =aéreo=, overhead =afanarse=, to exert oneself, to take much trouble =aficionado á=, fond of =aflojar=, to relax =afortunadamente=, fortunately =agasajar=, to welcome =agencia=, agency =agiotista=, stock-jobber =aglomerar=, to agglomerate =Agosto=, August =agotar=, to drain, to exhaust =agradable=, agreeable, pleasant =agradar=, to oblige =agradecer=, to thank, to be obliged for =agrandar=, to enlarge =agrícola=, agricultural =agrio=, sour =agrupación=, group, muster =agua=, water =agudo=, sharp, keen =águila=, eagle =aguja=, needle =ahí=, there =ahora=, now =ahorrar=, to save, to economise =aislado=, hedged in, isolated =(lo) ajeno=, other people's property =ajeno á=, averse to, foreign to =ajo=, garlic =ajustar=, to adjust =ajuste=, adjustment =á la larga=, in the long run =á la verdad=, in truth =albaricoque=, apricot =alborear=, to dawn =alcalde=, mayor =alcista=, bull, bullish (exch.) =alechugado=, frilled =alegar=, to allege =alegrar=, to gladden =alegrarse=, to rejoice =alejarse=, to go away =alemanisco=, linen damask =alerta=, alert =alfiler=, pin =alfombra=, carpet =algo=, something, anything, somewhat, rather =algodón=, cotton =algodón disponible=, spot cotton =algodonero (mercado)=, cotton market =alguno=, some, any =aliento=, courage =alistar=, to enlist =allá, allí=, there =allanar=, to level, to facilitate =allí, allá=, there =alma=, soul =almacén=, warehouse =almacenero=, warehouseman =almacenes fiscales=, bonded warehouses =al menos=, at least =alquilar=, to rent, to hire, to give or take on lease =al revés=, on the wrong side =altos hornos=, blast furnaces, foundry =aludir á=, to allude, to hint =un alza=, a rise (price) =una alza=, a rise (price) =amabilidad=, kindness =amanecer=, to dawn =amar=, to love =amargo=, bitter =amarillo=, yellow, buff =ambos=, both =á medida que=, in proportion as =amedrentar=, to frighten =á mejor andar=, at best =amén de=, besides =á menos que=, unless =á menudo=, often i =americana=, coat, jacket =amigo=, friend =amistad=, friendship =amistoso=, friendly =amo=, master =amontonar=, to heap up, to pile up =amor=, love =amplio=, ample =añadir=, to add =ancho=, width, wide =anclar=, to anchor =andar=, to walk, to go =Andrinópolis (pañuelos de)=, Turkey red (handkerchiefs) =año=, year =anochecer=, to grow dark =ansioso de=, anxious, eager to =anteayer=, the day before yesterday =anterior=, anterior, previous =antes (de)=, before (time), formerly =anticipatión=, anticipation =anticipo=, advance =antiguo=, ancient, old =antojo=, caprice, whim =anular=, cancelar, to cancel =anunciar=, to advertise =apacible=, mild (colour) =apagado=, extinguished, quiet =apagarse=, to go out (fire) =aparecer=, to appear, to make one's appearance =aparentar=, to show outwardly =apelar=, to appeal =apenas=, scarcely =apertura=, opening =á pesar de=, in spite of =apetecer=, to desire, to covet =aplazar=, to postpone =á plazos=, by instalments =apreciar=, to appreciate =aprender=, to learn =apremiar=, to press, to urge =apresto=, finish (cloth) =apresurar=, to hasten (_a_), to urge =apresurarse=, to hasten (_n_) =aprovecharse=, to take advantage, to avail oneself of =aproximarse=, to approach, to draw near =apurar=, to exhaust, to investigate, to purify =apuro=, embarrassment =aquel, that =aquí=, here =arado=, plough =arancel=, Custom House tariff =árbitro=, arbiter, umpire =árbol=, tree =árbol de eje=, axle-shaft =archivos=, archives =arduo=, arduous, difficult =argüir=, to argue =armadores=, shipowners =armadura=, frame, framing (mach.) =armario=, cupboard =armas blancas=, side-arms =armas de fuego=, fire-arms =armazón de cama=, bedstead =arpillera=, bagging =arquitecto=, architect =arrancar=, to squeeze out, to wrench, to start from =arreglado=, reasonable =arreglar=, to arrange, to settle =arreglo=, arrangement =arrepentirse=, to repent =arriesgado=, dangerous =arrollar=, to roll =arroz=, rice =asamblea=, meeting =asargado=, twill =ascensor=, lift, hoist =asegurar=, to insure, to secure =asentar=, to seat, to book (orders) =asistir=, to assist, to attend =asociación de obreros=, trade union =asunto=, subject, matter, question, affair =atajo=, short cut =atañer=, to bear upon =atención=, attention =atender á=, to attend =atendible=, plausible =atenta (su)=, (your) favour =aterlizado=, twill =atizador=, poker =atraer=, to attract =atraicionar=, to betray =atrasado=, overdue =atravesar=, to cross =atrevido=, bold, daring =atribución=, attribution =atribuir=, to attribute =atropellar por=, to infringe, to run down =aumento=, increase =aunque=, although, even if =automóvil=, motor-car =avaro, avariento=, miser, miserly =avena=, oats =averia=, average, damage =avergonzarse=, to be ashamed =aviso=, advice, notice =avistar=, to sight =ayer=, yesterday =ayudar=, to help =azadas=, hoes =azadones=, pick-axes =azúcar=, sugar =azuelas=, adzes =azul=, blue

=B=