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surena - 21 Jul 2009 06:30 GMT

Hi,

What is the meaning of the last sentence in these sentences from David
Copperfield:

"I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the
newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas. Whether sea-going
people were short of money about that time, or were short of faith and
preferred cork jackets, I don't know; all I know is, that there was
but one solitary
bidding, and that was from an attorney connected with the bill-broking
business, who offered two pounds in cash, and the balance in sherry,
but declined to be guaranteed from drowning on any higher bargain."

In particular the balance in "sherry" and "the balance in sherry".

regards,
Surena.

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Leslie Danks - 21 Jul 2009 08:51 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> business, who offered two pounds in cash, and the balance in sherry,
> but declined to be guaranteed from drowning on any higher bargain."

In general, see the Wikipedia article on "caul":

[quote]
Over the course of European history, a popular legend developed suggesting
that possession of a baby's caul would give its bearer good luck and
protect that person from death by drowning. Cauls were therefore highly
prized by sailors. Medieval women often sold these cauls to sailors for
large sums of money; a caul was regarded as a valuable talisman.
[endquote]

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caul>

> In particular the balance in "sherry" and "the balance in sherry".

The bidder offered to pay for the caul partly in cash (two pounds) and
partly in the equivalent quantity of sherry (i.e. the remainder, the
balance, the total value of the bid minus the two pounds). Sherry is a
fortified wine:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherry>

Signature

Les (BrE)

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CDB - 21 Jul 2009 13:50 GMT

> What is the meaning of the last sentence in these sentences from
> David Copperfield:

> "I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the
> newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas. Whether sea-going
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> balance in sherry, but declined to be guaranteed from drowning on
> any higher bargain."

As Leslie says.

> In particular the balance in "sherry" and "the balance in sherry".

He offered to pay a small part of the price in cash, and to give an
amount of sherry, a fortified wine, in trade for the remaining part of
the fifteen guineas. Presumably, even if the sherry were properly
valued at the amount of money remaining to be paid, the attorney would
find it easier to part with than the money: he might have picked it up
in payment of a defaulted debt.

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surena - 22 Jul 2009 04:13 GMT

> > What is the meaning of the last sentence in these sentences from
> > David Copperfield:
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> find it easier to part with than the money: he might have picked it up
> in payment of a defaulted debt.

Thanks. And what is the meanning of "guaranteed from drowning on any
higher bargain"?

Surena.

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CDB - 22 Jul 2009 15:00 GMT

>>> What is the meaning of the last sentence in these sentences from
>>> David Copperfield:
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Thanks. And what is the meanning of "guaranteed from drowning on any
> higher bargain"?

That is really two separate phrases. He declined to buy the caul, and
thus infallibly protect himself ("be guaranteed") from drowning (as in
the Wikipedia article), for any greater price than two pounds in cash
and a quantity of sherry.

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009

from David Copperfield: