TRANSLATOR’S NOTE
In the biographical and critical essay which Mr. Waite
prefixes to his Mysteries of Magic he says: “A word must
be added of the method of this digest, which claims to be
something more than translation and has been infinitely more
laborious. I believe it to be in all respects faithful, and
where it has been necessary or possible for it to be literal,
there also it is invariably literal.”
We agree that it is either more or less than translation,
and the following examples selected at hazard in the course of
half-an-hour will enable the reader to judge whether Mr.
Waite is acquainted with either French or English:
“ Gentilhomme ”—“ Gentleman.”
“The nameless vice which was reproached against the
Templars.”
“ Certaines circonstances ridicules et un procés en escroque-
rie””—“ Certain ridiculous processes and a swindling lawsuit.”
“Se méle de dogmatiser”—" Meddles with dogmatism.”
“La vie pour lui suffisait a lexpiation des plus grands
crimes, puis qu'elle était la consequence d’un arrét de mort”
— According to him life was sufficient for the greatest
crimes, since these were the result of a death sentence.”
“Vos meilleurs amis ont df concevoir des inquiétudes ”—
“Your best friends have been reasonably anxious.” (The
mistranslation here turns the speech into an insult.)
Vv