MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 40, 16 February 1929, Page 16 (Supplement)

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

SOME CURIOUS CASES. A DOUBLE BLUNDER. HEADMASTER'S MISTAKE. Some curious cases of mistaken identity were recorded during the currency of a competition arranged by the "London Spectator.'' There were not many historical stories quoted, though the never-failing Mr. Pepys provided two episodes; several competitors told stories of mistakes made at Madame Tussaud's, and there were also a number of amusing instances given of the difficulties which most twins experience. The first prize was awarded to Mrs. Bluett for her double example of mistaken identity quoted below: —

A country woman who came into Truro one market day stopped in the middle of the street to greet an old friend. "Why, I haven't seen you for a long time, my dear," she said. "No, and I haven't seen you, my dear," said the other, "How are 'ee keeping?" There was a pause. Then the first said "l don't believe 'tis you after all," and the other answered "No, and I don't believe 'tis you neither." —Mrs. Bluett, 5, The Avenue, Truro.

Other interesting entries were: —

It is recorded of Dr. Keate, the famous "flogging" headmaster of Eton, that as he was passing through the school one day a form-master approached him and reported a boy for some serious delinquency. "All right," said the Doctor, "send him to my room in a quarter of an hour." Returning to his room before the quarter of an hour was up, the Headmaster found a boy waiting, whom he promptly collared and heartily thrashed. When the operation was over the boy still lingered. "Well, what are you waiting for?" snapped the Headmaster. "Please, Sir, I came to be prepared for Confirmation."—Mr. Sydney T. Sharpley. 27, Halifax Road, Cambridge.

"I called one day on a married cousin in town. ITer maid came to the door and, on seeing me, opened her mouth wide, gasped, swayed to and fro and, but for my friendly arm round her waist, -would undoubtedly have fallen. She soon came to and informed jne her mistress wag out. Some weeks later I met my cousin and questioned her about her maid's extraordinary behaviour. 'Oh,' said she, 'I meant to'have written to tell you about it—Edith thought you were the Kinfr!!!'" —Vice-Admiral Wade Caulfleld, Empire House, 175, Piccadilly.

"When I was up at Oxford I made the acquaintance of a certain well-known professor. It was told that he loved to spend his vacs, incognito among the different country people of various European nations, studying their characters and manners and speaking their language. A short time afterward I was on a walking tour in the Austrian Tyrol with three French boys, and we stoppe4 for a rest and refreshment in a wayside restaurant one morning in August. To my astonishment, sitting at a table, surrounded by companions, was my friend of Oxford. In my folly I smiled a sign of recognition and greeted him with the words, 'How are) you, Professor—?' No sooner had the words escaped me than I recognised ray 'faux pas. 5 He looked at me, smoking his long pipe, and shaking his head, 6aid, 'Ich verstehe mcht.' Naturally I shrank back embarrassed to my companions, and hoped that I had not spoilt his game. On my return to Oxford in October, I came across him again. And I began to apologise, and said, 'The last time I 6aw you was seven weeks ago in that little estaminet in the Tyrol at.— * 'No', said he, 'I'm sure you didn't. For I was spending my vac. in Spain!' I have never seen two men so alike. I am not 6ure yet after these thirty years that that eminent professor told me the truth." —C. W. Chastel de Boinville, The Vicarage, Hythe, Kent.

i "In the year 1680 Charles 11. dictated i to Samuel Pepys an account of his adventures in his escape from the battle of Worcester in ICSI. The story is full of miraculous deliverances from fatal recognition and also relates an amusing incident in which Charles 11. was mistaken for Richard Cromwell, his rival's son. Charles, disguised, as a serving man, in the company of a royalist, Colonel Gunter, was making for Shorcham, where a ship had been procured to take him to France. On the way they stayed a night at a place called Hambleton, seven miles from Portsmouth, with a certain man, Thomas Symons, who was not aware of his royal guest's identity. At supper Colonel Gunter talked, 'Very feelingly concerning Cromwell and all his party'; and Symons during the conversation went and whispered in his (Colonel Gunter's) ear, and asked whether I (Charles) was not some round-headed rogue's son; for T looked very suspiciously. Upon which Colonel Gunter, answering for me, that he might trust his life in my hands, he came and took me by the hand, and drinking a good glass of beer to me, called me brother roundhead." —Marion Francis Hamilton, The Vicarage, Windsor, Berks.