New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
AN OXFORD DON.
DEAN LIDDELL LEAVES OXFORD-HIS LONG
RULE OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Paris, February a

RUDE OF CIhlSl IuChCH.
Paris, February 8.
DR.. Liddeil and his wife, whom ola
Lady Wordsworth was accustomed TO dcscribe
as by far the handsomast couple In the United
Kingdom, have just passed through here on their
way to the South of France. The doctor Is one Of
the best known mei in England, and his fame ex.
tends also to the United States. For he has not
only held the Offices of the Chancellor Of the Uni.
versify of Oxford and of Dean Of Christ Church
for more than thirty years, but he is likewise one
of the two compilers of that ponderous tome enti-
tied "Lddell and Scotts Lexicon which Is used
as n standard work in American as well as Ia
English schools
Dean Liddell-for, Notwithstanding his resigna-
ton Of his various dignties, he will be STYLED the
Dean until the day of his death-is indebted for
the lucrative post which he has held during 10
long n period to the favor Of the Queens hus
band the Prince COnsott, whose chaplain he WA
And he greatly augmented the favor with which
he was regarded at court Iy the tact ana good sens
which he displayed during the stay oil tne fr'hceo
Wales as an undergraduate at OXFORD. Inc rrincee
namc was inscribed on the books OF Christ Church
College, and its Dean, DR.. Lddell. Therefore he
came to all iptents and purposes the responsible
guardian of bis future King. The task was BY
no means an easy one Such had to De over
looked, and yet it would never have done %
lead any one suspect that there was any special
indulgence accorded account OF the rank Of
the royal undergraduate. The Dean. however.
managed matters so clcverly that whereas, he was
at every moment being forced to close his eyes
to shortcomings Of the Prince, no onc-not even
lis worst enemy-coyld be found TO detect that he
had so much as winked. The consequence was
that the Prince remained very fond OF the lid
dolls and when he shortly after his marriage took
Tho Princess down 70 see Oxford, he told her In
the presence OF q number Of people that some of
,he very happiest hours OF his youth had been
spent at the Deanery.
Among other royal undergraduates at Christ
Church during the reign OF Dean Lid3ell were
the late Prince Leopold, Duke Of Albany, Prince
George of Denmark, Prince IIassan of Egypt
while rs 10 the great noblemen and peers WHO
have pursued their academic course under tho
Guidance of the courtly and handsome Dean, their
namc 4 legion. Tie best known probably are
lie MARQUIS of Butte, Who was aiterward portrayed
by Lord Beaconsfcld in a novel as Lotlair' the
Duke of Hamilton, who was renowned Tor his
practical jolscs and for the rowdiness 81 his
conduct: the ex-Vceroy Of Ireland. the Iaiqrb
OF Londonderry, who in those days used 10 look
like a consumptive toothpick wrapped in an ulster,
and the Earl of Rosebcry, who was sac al one
! time TO DE engaged ~ IN 'hafticu w ''N w 'N
Deans lovely daughters
All the children - the Dem and Ms jlddeu
were remarkable for their personal beauty and
pracc of manner, the two most popular, perhaps
| being Rhoda 50 charmngly alluded 10 by John
RusIdp. who was one Of her most tervent adj
mircrs and Alice for whose special and particular
benefit " Alice in Wonderland was written. Alice
Liddell. BY the way died shortly after her mar
riaer 10 Mr. Hargcaves from the effect Of swal.
lowing the pit of an Orange, which got lodged in
n part of the intestine from whence IT could not
escape save by perforation.
The Dean, who was the acknowledged head OF
university society at Oxford, and an ideal Don,'
was famed for his readiness Of repartee and for
the caustic nature of his wit. One day he was
taking stock Of the intellectual attainments OF
titled undergraduate who fondly imagined that
| be possessed more than the ordinary share OF
| EARNING.
| What Sophocles do you know inquired
| the Dean. oh, 1 know all Sophoces,' was
the ready answer Really was the Deans
reply How ! wish | could say the same
The youth then proceeded 10 translate, and gave
an extraordinary rendering 10 ono Of the phrases.
Where did you get that FROM" asked the Dean.
"Oh. Liddell and Scott the answer.
Then" said the Dean. with much gravity. Il
am sure il must have been Or. Scott, and not L.
| II is difficult 10 imagine oxford without The
| Dean who for four decades has been its mos;
prominent and most ornamental figure. Indeed,
! there are many of his old pupils who will feel
that the old university without Llddcll wall NJ
| like the play of Hamlet with the Danish Prince
left out.