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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 49, 11 September 1891, Page 15

A story is told of the late Professor Rogers and Dr R; W. Dale, of Birmingham. These two gentlemen were giving a series of lectures in Lancashire, and at every town which they visited Dr Dale noticed tbat his colleague, who always spoke first, made the same speech. In fact, so often did the professor give that speech that the worthy doctor knew if off by heart, and toiß fact led the latter to think of a way of taking the wind out of his friend's nails. On their arrival at a town in South Lancashire Dr Dale asked Dr Rogers to allow him to speak first— an arrangement to wtaicb the latter readily agreed — so Dr Dale rose and proceeded to deliver the speech of Dr Rogers, looking every now and then with the corner of his eye to see how tbat worthy gt-ntleman was taking tLia practical j jke. Dr Rogers sat calm and comp sed, and when at last his turn came to speak he just as calmly rose and delivered, to Dr Dale's utter astonishment, quite ai ow speech. At the conclusion of the meeting Dr Dale sud to his colleague : " I thought I had taken the wind out of your sails to-nigiit." Dr Rogers replied: "Oh no; I delivered that speech when I was here % month ago."