Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 179, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1920 — HAD ITS BIRTH IN RIDICULE [ARTICLE]

HAD ITS BIRTH IN RIDICULE

Explanation of Frequently Heard Expression “Giving Him a Roland for an Oliver.** —_ The expression “A Roland for an Oliver," meaning to match one Incredible story with another still more Incredible, Is derived from the fanciful tales told by the old chroniclers concerning the marvelous deeds accomplished by Roland and Oliver, the two most famous palladins of Charlemagne. It Is said that these two wonderful heroes were so marvelously matched that neither was able to surpass the other, and, accordingly to test their relative superiority they met in single combat for five consecutive days on an Island in the River Rhine without either gaining the least advantage over the other. At the end of the battle of Roncesvalles, It Is said Roland was actually by Oliver, who had himself received adeath blow. From the ridiculous manner in which the adventures of these two heroes werfe recounted, the saying, “A Roland for an Oliver,” grew the matching of one lie with one still greater. Art Is consummate when it seems to be nature. —Longinus. Litt® is more gratifying than beinf blunt with blunt people. A talkative man is apt to be as goodnatured as he is foolish. Job printing at the Republican