" GRIN LIKE A DOG."
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:']
SIR,—May I point out that the Psalmist did not say, " grin like a dog," nor even the Authorised Version, but only the- Prayer-Book version ? And even there, " grin" is probably a mistake for " growl." The Hebrew word is used chiefly of low notes,—the growling of bears (Isaiah lix., 11); the cooing of the dove (Ezekiel vii., 16); and even of the sullen roar of a multitude (Isaiah xxii., 2). The Septuagint has, " They shall hunger (miziogovary) as a dog," which, as usual, the Vulgate follows, having, " Et famem patientur ut canes."
May I also remark that in your article, one passage on laughter (though the word, it is true, does not occur) has been overlooked? I mean the beautiful touch in Zechariah's picture of Jerusalem restored,—" The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."—I am, Sir, St. Luke's, Chadderton, Oldham, January 19th.
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