To which commend him

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Marius Hancu - 07 Jan 2009 10:44 GMT

Hello:

I don't quite get
"to which commend him."

Is "commend" a subjunctive here?

----
[Settembrini introduces Hans Castorp and Joachim to Naphta, a
classical scholar.]

Herr Settembrini at once and elegantly overcame the hint of
embarrassment or vexation he had betrayed at first sight of the young
people. He was in his gayest mood, and made all sorts of jesting
allusions as he performed the introductions, -- for example, the
called Naphta "princeps scholasticorum." Joy, he said, quoting
Aretine, held brilliant court within his, Settembrini's, breast; a joy
due to the blessing of the springtime -- to which commend him.

The Magic Mountain:
by Thomas Mann, Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter, p. 376
--------

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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CDB - 07 Jan 2009 16:37 GMT

> I don't quite get
> "to which commend him."

> Is "commend" a subjunctive here?

Yes, very likely. He asked, or suggested, or his manner suggested,
that they should commend him to the blessings of the Spring, invoke
those blessings upon him. I haven't been able to find the relevant
quotation from Aretino, but Flora was goddess of Spring and of
prostitutes, which last were something of a hobby of the poet's, I
see.

In another thread, Leslie Danks has kindly said he might be able to
help with your inquiries by consulting the original text, if you would
give chapter and number of pages into the chapter. I don't know if
you saw that; it seems like a good idea to me.

> [Settembrini introduces Hans Castorp and Joachim to Naphta, a
> classical scholar.]

> Herr Settembrini at once and elegantly overcame the hint of
> embarrassment or vexation he had betrayed at first sight of the
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> The Magic Mountain:
> by Thomas Mann, Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter, p. 376

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Marius Hancu - 07 Jan 2009 17:42 GMT

> Yes, very likely. He asked, or suggested, or his manner suggested,
> that they should commend him to the blessings of the Spring, invoke
> those blessings upon him.

Yes, I was in that area:-)

> In another thread, Leslie Danks has kindly said he might be able to
> help with your inquiries by consulting the original text, if you would
> give chapter and number of pages into the chapter. I don't know if
> you saw that; it seems like a good idea to me.

OK, I'll try to do that.

> > [Settembrini introduces Hans Castorp and Joachim to Naphta, a
> > classical scholar.]

> > Herr Settembrini at once and elegantly overcame the hint of
> > embarrassment or vexation he had betrayed at first sight of the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > breast; a joy due to the blessing of the springtime -- to which
> > commend him.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009

To which commend him