Secret Message

"Secret Message"*

*In 1843, Sir Charles Napier won smashing victories
in Sind, a region along the lower reaches of the
Indus River in what is now Pakistan.

With security in mind and with the realization that
British public officials were routinely expected to
know Latin, he sent the one-word message, "Peccavi."

It is Latin for "I have sinned," and that was all
anyone needed to know.

*****************************************************

"Boys In The Vicinity"*

*The Latin professor arrived home in a state of
utter confusion, and much the worse for wear.
His jacket was torn, his trousers muddy, his hat
a battered ruin, his eyeglasses bent askew.

His wife ran to him, startled. "Septimus," she
cried, "whatever has happened to you?"

"Why, my dear," said the professor, seating
himself carefully. "I scarcely know. I was passing
the corner of Second and Main when, without
provocation on any sort of my part, I was suddenly
assaulted by two hoodlum."
Received on Sun May 17 08:20:37 2009