THREE TALL MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8360, 13 September 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

THREE TALL MEN.

I recalled the incident a few days ago, says a writer in the New York World, as I sat in Trinity listening to Phil'" Brooks' noontide talks. It happened ir. oring of ISB3. The four of us had gone to l. -ope toother—Dr. M'Vickar, of Philadelphia, Philip Brooks, and Mr. Robinson, the builder of Boston's Trinity Church. Robinson stands 6ft 2iu in his stockings, Dr. M'Vicar measures Oft, 4in, and Brooks exceeds Oft in height. Robinson is sensitive about his length, and suggested that in order to avoid comment the three tall men avoid being seen together. They humorously called themselves "Brown, Jones, and Robinson." Arriving in Eng land, they went direct to Leeds, where they learned that a lecturer would address the working classes on " America and th» Americans." Anxious to hear what Englishmen thought of the great republic, they went to the hall. They entered separately, and took seats as far apart as possible. The lecturer, after some uninteresting remarks, said that Americans were, as a rule, short, and seldom, if ever, rose to the height of five feet ten inches ; in fact, they were a race of pigmies, lie did nob know to what cause ho could attribute this fact, but he wished he could present examples. Philip Brooks rose to his feet and stretched his six-foot frame to the uttermost as he said, " I am an American, and am, as you sec, about six feet in height. Ido not exceed the average American in stature or in weight, though I turn the scales at over 2001b, and I sincerely hope that if there be any other representative of my country present, he will vouch for the truthfulness of in}' remarks." After a moment's interval Mr. Robinson rose and in a stentorian voice cried, " I am from America, in which country my diminutive height—six feet two—is the subject of no remark, as I am just a little below the average. If there be any other American here, "l hope that he will corroborate my testimony." The house was in a jolly humour. Waiting until the excitement could abate in some decree and the poor lecturer regain control of his shattered nerves, Dr. M'Vicar slowly drew his majestic form to his full height and exclaimed, "I am an— But he got no further. The audience roared, and the lecturer ran down the aisle into the street.