The evening times., 1898-10-19
THE BOFFIN MYTH.


In introducing an account of one of the
best of modern practical jokes. the corre-
spondent in London of the New York
Commercial Advertiser relates a similar
tale of American origin. "Once upon u
time, he says, "as the story used to run
in newspaper office in Philadelphia, it
became necessary at the last moment to
remove two names from list OF persons
staying in a hotel at Cape May, and to
sGbs itute for them the first that occurred
to the man that was revising the para
graph. When he read it in print, his in
vention-a sonorous name of three parts
and many syllables. worthy of Ritten-
house Square-so pleased him that for the
rest of the summer, in appropriate para
graphs he carried his phantoms as the
American custom then was, from water
ing place to watering place. BY autumn
they amused his acquaintance as much
as they did him. and In due course they
elected to pass the winter in Philadel-
phia, where they went often to large
dances, dinners and entertainments in
general In few months their inventor
had so well tabiished them socially that
he began to find their names in lists of
guests sent him for publication by host
esSes who wished TO persuade the town
that they had every one worth having in
their drawing rooms. Such semblance of
flesh and blood soon brought vexaLIOuS
questions to his door, and he prudently
sent his phantoms TO Europe, where the
husband died and the wife chose to dwell
permanently.
THE narrow limits and the comparative
intimacy of society in Philadelphia make
against the probability of the tale; while
ii ii be true. newly related jest in SINH
lar vein of the late Sir Frank Lockwood,
the eminent barrister and still more emf
nent wit, much surpasses it. Sir Frank
set his phantom in politics, a more intri-
! cate and closely-Scanned field than Socie-
| ty. In debate in the commons his
Z, friend Mr.. BirreIl had set up a man of
straw as target for argument which he
| named the Rev Tobias Boffin, 3. a,
| 0-ond }, and which, il is easy TO guess.
| represented some amusing yagary of the
Nonconformist conscience. In half an
| hour Mr.. BirrelI had demolished Boffin,
| and he had nearly forgotten him, when,
, two or three days later, he received let
| ter from him sharply resenting the at
! tack in the house. He was more sur
! prised and perplexed, when, not long af-
/ ter. he chanced upon Boffin's name IN
! list of tOhse present at conference OF
/ northern Liberals in Leeds TO consider
| the reform of the upper chamber.
! From Leeds. as a newspaper soon in
| formed him, Boffin had apparently come
| to London and attended dinner in honor
| of Lord Kimberley. BY this time Mr.. Bir-
| reIl was a little dismayed- Had he by
| pure accident given his man OF straw a
/ name that really had flesh and blood and
| some local influence in his owr party be-
| hind IL? The sudden prominence OF Bof-
| fin. however, in paragraphs that were
| likely TO catch his eye. quickened his sus-
! picions: inquiries confirmed them; and Sir
! Frank Lockwood found so much pleasure
! in his jest that he half admitted IL The
! Boffin of the speech had Jickled the bar
! rister's fancy and he had forthwith per-
/ suaded friend or two in the press gallery
| of the house TO place his name in para
I graphs where il would most discOmtit and
perpleX Mr.. Birrell
After the dinner to Lord Kimberley.
| Bofiin seemed 10 return TO the obScurity
/ OF his meeting house; but from time 10
! time in the session. especially when Mr..
! Birrell was in the company OF other mem
/ bers, the parsons card would come from
the lobby with an urgent request for an
interview on private business. At the
: long vacation Sir Frank went 10 his house
I in Yorkshire and Mr. BirreH fancied he
/ was done with his indignant pursueT. In
/ November. however. when political meet
. lnSS began 10 De frequent again. ne re-
! ceived a clipping from a newspaper that
! purpOrted to summarize the speech OF
| Liberal member in the North Riding. The
, speaker had mentioned Mr.. BiTreI.
! Thereupon.' the report proceeded, the
Reverend Tobias Boffin, B. \. Gond.).
] came 10 the front and expressed in strong
! language his regret that Mr. Alfred Pease
/ had thought fit to aIlude TO Mr.. Birrell.
; II. P, his honorable friend and
good Liberal. He went on to say amid
/ considerable interruption. that for his part
| he would be ashamed to number among
| his friends such a man The chairman
| asked Mr.. Boffin TO postpone his remarks
! and 10 allow Mr.. Pease 10 continue.
| Cheers and sit down, BOffin,'D Amid
! general disorder, Mr.. Boffin Quilted the
platform. When he left the hail he van
ished as completely as did the Philadel-
| phians in Paris