New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-23

No treatment of this topic would be complete with
out some reference to the well-knovn "Spoonerisrn
which derives its name from a distinguished Oxford
Don who, after a tutorship Of many years Wa
appointed to the headship Of New College 1T.
suffers from tendency misplace the initial CON
sonants of some of the words he For instance
1T IS reported that he once had rebuke under
graduate for ideness. The point he wished to en-
Phasize that two whole terms had passed without
fruitful results. Il sorry" said Mr. Spooner to
have to speak YOU so severely; but am informed
that you have broken many rules of the college YOU
have been incOrngby lazy; and cap it all you have
deliberately tasted two worms'
No doubt some of the stories attributed to Mr.
SpOoner are invented and some should be attributed
to other persons 1t may be convenient however
to group together here few that are reported 10
spring from this source, with the provsO that no
sworn affidavits are offered in confirmation Some
are concerned with the pulpit, which of gives
many opportunities for confusion of expression
The Mr. SPoOner of fable Is said to have aroused
sympathetic feelings among the boating his
academical congregation by declaring that Peter
cOxed and the crew went out and wept bitterly"
Preaching in the college chapel at the time IF the
diamond jubilee Of her late majesty, he remarked
lmpreSSively: Now, my brethren. you have very
queer dean. a very queer dean indeed" As his own
relations with the dean of the college not most
amcable, this observation especially enjoyed
In his farewell sermon at the parish church where
he vicar. he called his congregation to witness
that he had always been a showing leopard 10 them
One of the stories attributed to Mr. Spooner bears
the face of evidence that it belongs properly 10
some one else; for he is accomplished musician.
The rightu hero of the tale whoever he may be- was
asked if he fond of music. YES was the
answer; but have a very poor In fact the
only tunes / can really remember are God Save the
Weasel and Pop Goes the Queen"
If is to be believed. Mr.. SpoOner'S tendency
TO verbal confusion once caused him considerable
inconvenience. He wandering about Greenwich
inquiring in vain for hotel called ''The Dull Man"
No inn of that name known anywhere in the
neighbOrhOOd. and PaSseTs-by whom he consulted
could not suggest any clue. At last happy thought
struck policeman at street corner. Il see what
you mean. sir what you want is not the Dull Man AT
Greenwich but the Green Man at Dulwich
Yet another story is valuable 10 students
of the SpOOnersm for 1T suggests that the gift NAV
be hereditary little of the house at breakfast
morning wishing his father to give him the mar
malade, made request as follows: Please pass the
Parlor-naid. mamma
"Biddy diddy?" inquired of a woman with
whom he had been in conversation. Then bIushng
fuouSly at this strange jargon. he tried again but
"Diddy bddy1" was the best he could manage and
finally in desperation he blurted "Diddy bddy
biddy door" and 1t not until he had taken some
getting out the question: did he bid adieu2
woman who had taken her seat in the street-car
beside of her acquaintance asked kindly. How
rs your wife to-day? and. being answered that
she was improving inquired: And has her infanma-
roOmy tOryism left her YETI" To which her quick
witted friend prom tly responded yes thank you
afOrx ha-f