ANECDOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue IX, 27 August 1898, Page 250

ANECDOTES

SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT.

What Sir Daniel Lysons believes to have been the first ease of a settlement of an ‘affair of honour’ on the Duke of Wellington’s plan is described by him in his ‘Early Reminiscences.’ It occurred in Halifax about the middle of the present century. One day Captain Evans came to me boiling over with wrath and indignation. He said he had been grossly insulted by Captain Harvey, the Governor’s son, and begged me to act as his friend. I agreed, provided he promised to do exactly as I told him. He consented.

I called on Captain Harvey’s friend. Captain Bourke, and we agreed to abide by the Duke of Wellington’s order about duelling, which had just, then been promulgated at Halifax.

We carried out our intentions as follows: We made each of our principals write out his own version of what had occurred. We then chose an umpire. We selected Colonel Horn of the Twentieth Regiment, a clearheaded and much respected officer. With his approval we sent him the two statements, and he directed us to come to his house the following morning with our principals. At the appointed time we arrived, and were shown into the. dining-room. We bowed formally to each other across the table, and awaited the appearance of our referee. Colonel Horn soon entered, and addressing our principals, said: ‘Gentlemen, in ithe. first plaee, I must thank you for having made my duty so light. Nothing could be more open, generous or gentlemanlike than your statements. The best advice I can give you is that you shake hands and forget that the. occurrence has ever happened.’ They at onee walked up to each other and shook hands cordially. They were the best of friends ever after.

EJECTING A PATIENT. The following story, told by the poet Tennyson, is a graphic illustration of Abernethy’s manners toward a certain class of patients who vexed his professional spirit: A farmer went to the great doctor, complaining of discomfort in the head, weight and pain. The doctor asked, ‘What quantity of ale do you take?’ ‘Oh, I taaks ma yale pretty well.’ Abernethy, with great patience and gentleness: ‘Now, then, begin the day, breakfast. What time?’ ‘Oh, at haafe past seven.’ ‘Ale then? How much?’ ‘I taaks my quart.’ ‘Luncheon ?’ ‘At eleven o’clock I gets another snack.’ ‘Ale then?’ ‘Oh yees, my pint and a haafe.’ ‘Dinner?’ ‘Haafe past one.’ ‘Any ale then?’ yees. another quart then.’ ‘Tea ?’ ‘My tea’s at haafe past five.’ ‘Ale then?’ ‘Noa, noa.’ ‘Supper?’ ‘Nine o’clock.’ ‘Ale then?’ ‘Yees, yees. I taaks my fill then. I goes asleep afterward.’ Like a lion aroused, Abernethy was up. opened the street door, shoved the farmer out, and shouted, ‘Go home, sir, and let me never see your face again! Go home, drink your ale. and die!’ The farmer rushed out aghast, Abernethy pursuing him down the street with shouts of, ‘Go home, sir, and die!’