BEGADKEPHATH.—It is a rule to which all the best English stylists conform, that “very” shall not be used to modify a verb, even when the verb is used adjectivally, while it may be used to modify an adjective or an adverb, as thus—very pleasant, very pleasantly. With “pleased,” the correct phrasing is “much pleased,” or “very much pleased.” The foremost reviews of this country—the _Athenæum_ and the _Spectator_—are loud in denunciation of “very pleased,” “very gratified,” and so forth. It has been made the subject of comment that Thackeray upon occasion writes “very pleased,” and “different to” for “different from.” His superb gifts make good such lapses, just as Shakespeare’s genius lifts him above criticism, even when his grammar is faulty. The average English girl, however, should beware of using ungrammatical phrasing, and when she is not of ingrained vulgarity, we have always found her willing to do so. * * * * * [Transcriber’s Note—The following changes have been made to this text: Page 315: of to off—“cut off” Page 320: intruments to instruments—“wind instruments”] End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 998, February 11, 1899, by Various