The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-23

PAUL DU CHAiLLU. turned to New
Yor. M 1853 bringing large collection Of
natlte arms and implements and numerous
-i...imons Of natural history, including 1900
stuffed birds, which lac had shot and pre-
rari himself He set out on another expe-
duonm 1854, and penetrated among tribes
previously unknown; but, coming in conflict
with the natives, hs was obliged to return
without any specimens in September OF the
following year.
10 is especially TO Du Chaillu that we are
indebted for information concerning the
habits Of the gorilla, that interesting animal
nhJ walks through the African forest on
ESQ legs like man, and whose strength
aouli pat "a modern cannon ball man in
.lrcus t. the blush
VI du Chaillu, on the occasion Of one Of
his visits 10 London, was lionized by the
great men Of England His collection OF
ouuOsties was deposited in the rooms Of the
ROYAL Geographical society, and excited
good deal Of attention, drawing visits from
per-Onages personally unknown 10 ono who
bad spent 50 much time in company with the
chmpanzee and the gorilla. He had heard
ot the Duke Of Argyll and Of Gladstone,
possibly the Bishop Of oxford, but did not
know that this bishop has long been accus-
toned - sign himself "OXOn." Tho three
magnates wrote Du Chaillu on the same day.
Tho complications which ensued are so well
told IN London Court Pump that its story
thereof Is horc lifted bodily
Mr. Gladstone wordcd his letter in the
usual way. inviting NJ. du Chaillu TO
breakfast Tho Duke OF Argyll wrote sub
etautially rs follows.
The Dusc of Argyll presents his compliments
90 ~ du Chsiilu, aad begs 20 inform him that he
vail visit his collection at $3.50 on Thursday next.
The bishop wrote:
Dean srR-Wil you do me the favor Of lunch
lpg with me al 6j j. street. on the -th IA day
prcyi0al 20 that mentioned IN Mr. Giadstones
p0tcl ours tftiy, VAoS
N. du Chailm answered Mr. Gladstonos
invitation, accepting It, But, not being IA
miiar with ducai and episcopal ways, he did
not understand the second and third notes
Tho former, indeed. he seems 10 have rather
resented, for hc replied as follows:
NJ du Chaillu presents bis compliments TO the
Duke of Argyll, and bcgs TO inform him that his
collection at the rooms Of the Royal Geographical
society is open 70 the public at large. Should his
grace present himself ho will. doubtless, be
courieously rccciyclb by the officials IN attendance.
Thebishop's note was, however. hopeless
poser, M du Chaillu had never heard of any
public man If the name OF OXOn So happy
thought struck him. Before answering the
note. be would Teconnoiter the house that the
writer dated from So lac proceeded to So
J. street, and, perceiving in the dingy
window OF the first floor evidences that a
tailor practiced his art there made no fur
tLer inquiry IL mover occurred 10 him as
possible that II public parsonage might have
rooms above ii tailorS shop IN good local
Ity lie did not even pause 10 compare the
tailors name with the signature at the bot
tom of the note The whole thing was clear
Oxon was a vulgar tradeSman,' who pre-
Stunning on his wealth, had written him Such
ii fellow deserved no answer, and none was
given NJ du Chaillu duly appeared at Mr..
Gladstone house on the morning mentioned
lu the note of invitation and there met dis
unguished company H. mentioned to his
hist that he had received note from
toe Duke II Argyll, ana described its
tenor. Mr. Gladstone, then IN the
same political boat with the Duke Of
Aryn begged NJ du Chaillu to excuse any
apparent superiority" III his graces eplstol-
al style, on the GROUND tLAt nc hdu hol
received a public school education Among
the compan, whom NJ du Chaillu met at Mr..
Glaistones was the bishop Of Oxford, and lie
found him the most urbane of gentlemen and
most delightful of companions As they
were leaving together the bishop said.
MY dear sir, why did you not come TO
lunch with me the other dayi Lord Elgin
was there, and some other men | think YOU
would have liked 10 meet. From your not
answering my note, made sure you were
coming
But | received no note from your lord
snip"
That's very odd; posted the note myself
on Monday night You ought to have had 1t
GA Tuesday morning"
81 received no note from your lordship, but
ibid get ali invitation to lunch from an i'm
pertinent tailor called Oxon, whom | never
Jaw in my lie, and never was intro
duCed to-
"Oxon, my dear sir, why c'est mol"
"But your lordship's name is not Oxon, but
Wilberiorce
"8ut my see, my see"
And after some explanation NJ du Chaillu
did see--and lives 10 tell the tale.