The following phrases for use in everyday conversation were recommended in an 1876 book by Richard & Quetin, published by Hachette, entitled New Familiar and Progressive English and French Dialogues (With Dialogues on Railway and Steamboat Travelling, and a Comparative Table of Monies and Measure). Many thanks to Max Décharné for bringing it to my attention.
You oblige me in so willing a manner, that it encourages me to apply to you again and again.
I am delighted that you make use of me so freely.
You may dispose of me as you will.
It is impossible to do a favour in a more pleasing manner.
I have never experienced such satisfaction.
I believe I shall go mad with pleasure.
It is abominable, horrid, infamous.
It is violating all that is most sacred in nature.
It is enough to freeze one’s blood with horror.
There never was anything seen so abominable.
The mind revolts from the idea of such a crime.
I am ruined beyond remedy.
My misfortunes are at their height.
I am swallowed up with affliction.
After so many misfortunes, it only remains for me to die.
His babbling absolutely splits my head.
There is something repulsive in his address.
It is difficult for me to surmount the disgust with which he inspires me.
Has he sworn to tease us all day?
Your aunt appears very aged.
His brother, who is younger than he, is quite decrepit.
He is in a state of extreme decay.
What a quantity of asparagus and artichokes!
My eldest sister had the whooping-cough, the youngest had the measles, my eldest brother the small-pox, and the youngest a military fever.
Shall I help you to undress?
I will take charge of the bread and butter.
Lovely stuff. Sadly, I couldn’t stop myself adding ‘as the actress said to the bishop’ after most of them, especially: ‘There was never anything seen so abominable’.
That’s pretty much all you need to script a Victorian melodrama. About asparagus and artichokes.
By the way, Dabblers who enjoyed this post will also appreciate a previous Dabble on the peerless 1845 English-Portugese phrasebook ‘English As She is Spoke’.
Love it! I enjoy these friday rummages through Frank’s capacious cupboard
Worm, I am delighted that you make use of me so freely. I believe I shall go mad with pleasure.
It reads like bowlderised Victorian erotica.