An Absent-Minded Scientist.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8198, 26 January 1906, Page 3

An Absent-Minded Scientist.

. q, The announcement of the death of Sir John Burdon-Sanderson, one of the most celebrated of English medical scientists, has revived several stories of the absentmindedness of this distinguished man. On one occasion Lady Sanderson left him one evening to conduct some guests to the dining-room. When she came down into the hall she found him helping tbem into their great-coats, shaking hands, and saying good-night. Left one morning to boil his own egg for breakfast, with instructions to give it three minutes, he was found staring intently at the egg in his hand, while his watch was merrily boiling away in the saucepan. On another occasion he went for a walk with a gentleman who was staying in his house. On arriving back home Sir John turned to his guest as they reached the gate, and, holding out his hand, said. " It has been the greatest pleasure to me to meet you. I wish I could ask you to spend a few days with me, but the house is full, as wc have some people staying with us." The late Sir Henry Acland delighted to tell one story of Sir John's absentmindedness. Whilst a guest at his house, the famous scientist one day asked Miss Acland if he might have his lunch earlier than usual, as he had an important call to make The lunch was served, and Sir John left the house. Ten minutes later he returned, rang the bell, and asked the astonished servant to bring up lunch. It was duly served, and Miss Acland had the satisfaction of seeing her guest make a second hearty meal. At the university, where he was known among irreverent undegrads. as "the Burder," he would often delight his class by stuffing one chalky duster after the other into his pocket, and eventually using his pocket handkerchief to clean the blackboard.