Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-09-03
Absence Of Mind.

Among L.nley's most notable eccentric
ities was absence of mind. His brother-in
law, Sheridan. invented ludierous instances
OF il. and even told them IN his presence
When ailusiIn was made to one of these,
Linley exclaimed with Indignation That
l. an everlasting lie; but, he added. with
returning good humor. - will tell you
something better which really befell me-"
lie then began While was a MINOR
canon at Norwich, | went one evening to
my tObaccunist's and having filed my smut
box, was about 10 leave the shop, when,
know not how il happened, | took up the
two brass candlesticks that were standing
lighted on the counter, and was walking
into the street with them .one in each hand,
when the tObaeconiSt recalled me to myself
by exclaiming. Surely, Mr. Linley you do
not intend to carry off my candlesticks
My friend sometimes related a still more
remarkable instance of his own obliylous-
ness - Ir was my turn. he said. " as q
minor canon. to preach IN Norwich cathe-
dral, aud well knowing my own intirmity,
rang the bell, and put the key of my study
into my landiady's hand-, req uestlng her to
lock the door. and come again tn let me out
in time for the service. She raised obJee-
tions. and insisted On returning the key but
I
that she had taken it with her as | desired.
Accordingly | read my sermon over until
the bells began to ring. then put on my
surplice. but no landlady came to release
me. read half my sermon over again, but
still no landlady appeared. Looking out OF
the window, | saw the congregation assem-
bling. and at length the great bell began to
toll a. it always did when the dean and
chapter were about to form into procession.
Still no landlady appeared. In this extrem-
ity threw open the window. and, with the
help of the watcr-hutt and water-spOut,
climbed down in my eanOnical> into the
street. Happily | was - late that cOmpar-
atively few OF the congregation witnessed
this exploit. On my return home alter the
service, put my hand mechanically into
nv pocket. and had opened the door OF my
lodgings before called To mind nv imagl-
nary difficulty.
" hen he related this aueciote. Mr.. Linley
/ sometimes added - The sermon preached
was copied verbatim from Bishop Hoadly.
whom the dean and chapter looked upon as
an execrable hereto. but who was ah espe-
cial favOrite OF tho bishop. DR.. Bathurst.
After the service. "a we were going IN pro-
cession to the vestry. the bishop turned to
me with a gracious smile, saying. Mr..
Linley. am much Obliged to you for the
excellent sermon You selected.
" What nave | to pay - said Mr.. Linley,
coming to a turnpike. whip in hand. with a
bride trailing on the ground. " lou have
nothing to pay, sir replied the turnpike
keeper - ycu must have left your horse
behind YOU" This conjecture WAS correct.
Linley had undertaken to do duty at II
church few miles from Norwich. and in
order to relieve his horse had dismounted to
walk part of the way. The bride had slip
ped of while ne was in 3 brown study,
thinkingof ''Pisto's Dialogues. or Hart
lev on Man, " aud he had reached the turn
pike quite unconscious of the loss he had
sustained Happily he found the animal
grazing on the roadside not tar off. and was
able to reach the country church IN time tor
the performance OF his duties.-O.d Times
and Distant Places, John Sinclair.