Section 90 A Curious Instrument. — III
“By a slight and momentary movement, which the owner can easily effect, he can1 ascertain2 with considerable accuracy the size, colour, shape, weight (S. 10, N. 9), and value of3 any article whatever. A4 person possessed of one is5 thus saved from the necessity of asking a thousand questions and6 trying a variety of troublesome experiments, which would otherwise be necessary; and such a slow and laborious process7 would, after8 all, not succeed9 half so well as a single application of this admirable instrument.”
George. “If it is such a very useful thing10 (S. 27, N. 8), I wonder11 that12 everybody, that can at all afford it, does not have one.”
Notes
1 To avoid repetition render the verb ‘can’ here by imstande sein.
2 bestimmen, which use in the form of a Supine and place at the end of the whole clause.
3 of — whatever, irgend eines Gegenstandes.
4 A — one = The possessor.
5 is — questions = needs therefore (also) not (to) ask a thousand questions. To ask a question, eine Frage stellen.
6 and — experiments = and to make various troublesome experiments.
7 Verfahren, n.
8 after all not, doch nicht, which must not be placed between commas. Comp. S. 15, N. 3.
9 gelingen.
10 thing = object.
11 I wonder, es wundert mich; we wonder, es wundert uns; you wonder, es wundert Sie.
12 that — one = that not everybody, who can at all (irgend) make it possible, possesses the same (to agree with ‘object’).