The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-28
The Chancellor in a Fix.

was desrous Of visiting a lunatic asylum
near Dublin, in order to satisfy himself
upon some points touching its manage
ment and administration. None of the
officials Of the establishment were to be
previously apprised of the intended visit
his lordships object being to see the asy-
lum in its everyday working, and to
judge for himself as to the matters that
interested him.
For this purpose the Lord Chancellor
repaired thither alone, and quite iacog-
nito. One other person only was in the
secret. This was an eminent medical
man whom the Chancellor had requested
to meet him in the waiting room of the
institution at certain hour on a particu-
lar day When his lordship. punctual to
the minute, got to the place, he found
upon inquiry that the doctor had not ar
rived. He said he would wait as he
wanted particularly to see the doctor
Fifteen minutes passed, but the medical
man did not make his appearance. The
Lord Chancellor began to show signs of
impatience, not unobserved by an official
in attendance.
High functionares must not be kept
waiting, and this one was VIGOROUSLY
fidgety and short-tempered He kept
looking at his watch every two or three
minutes, and at length gave vent to his
impatience by stamping his foot on the
floor, and muttering something which
bore a strong resemblance to a good round
oath. His manner attracted the atten-
tion of the attendant who began to sus-
pect the visitor must be mad
The attendant kept his eye on him, and
prepared for an emergency. Half an
hour elapsed - still no doctor. The great
man could stand it no longer Starting
from his seat, he paced up and down the
room hurriedly, uttering angry ejacula-
tions the while. The official, now salts
fed of the insanity of the visitor, made
a rush at him and called out for help
One Of the keepers soon appeared on the
spot, and the unlucky Chancellor was
soon secured.
Not without fierce struggle, however
Against the indignity he protested loudly
and Justify. He declared with all the
emphasis possible that he was perfectly
sane, and threatened condign punishment
to the officials. But the men only smiled.
Having made up their minds he was
dangerous patient, they at once proceed
ed to forcibly remove him to one of the
wards. Seeing that his protests and
threats were useless, and that the matter
was getting serious, the Chancellor thought
to turn the scale in his favor by divesting
himself Of his incognitO. Accordingly
he declared himself to be the Lord Chan
cellor of Ireland, and that Sir (nam-
ing the physician) was his personal friend.
The officials knew better Each gave
a sly wink to the other.
"Oh, yes, | dare say" quietly remark
ed one Of the men, eve have already got
two Lord Chancellors up stairs, besides
the Duke of Wellington and the Queen
of England" And not only was the un-
happy Chancellor removed but he was ac-
tually placed in a straight waistcoat, each
successive manifestation of his rage at
the proceeding being only regarded as
a stronger symptom of lunacy.
Luckily Sir - arrived at the asy-
lum Immediately afterwards. Entering
the waiting room he anxiously inquired
whether gentleman had called and ask
ed for him.
" A gentleman had called" was the
reply, " but he became SO violent that it
was necessary to remove him up stairs"
"Good God p exclaimed the physi-
clan, "why it is the Lord Chancellor
What is the meaning of this?"
The officers were horror-stricken, and it
need hardly be added that the unlucky
Lord Chancellor was released instanter
with many apologies.