Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-03-16
AF|NE SIGN LANGUAGE
EAaYoll Incident In the Reign Of
James |. of England.
"A TRICK ON AN AMBASSADOR
The Different interpretations Of the
Same Acts Performed by a Crochety
spanard and 3 Hard Headed and
Canny Old Scotch Butcher.

'spaniard and . Hard Headed and
Canny Old Scotch Butcher.
1t is said that King James I. on re-
onovtng TO London was waited, upon by
gfhe Spanish ambassador a man of cru
.r1jtion, but who had q crotchet in his
Ihead that every country should have
professor of signs to teach him and the
like of him to understand one another.
The ambassador was lamenting one
day before the king this great desider-
alum throughout all Europe, when the
king said to him: "Why. | have pro
feSsor of signs in the northernmoSt col
ar.s4 in my domnions-viz. at Aber-
leeD---but it is great way off, perhaps
800 miles,
Were it 10000 leagues off shall
see him." said the ambassador, land
am determined to set out in two or
{hree days" The king saw he had com
snitted himself and wrote. or caused to
be written, to the University of Aber
;le6n. stating the case and desiring the
professors to put him off some way OF
make the best of him. The ambassa-
Nor arrived, was received with great
Ss>1emnity. but soon began to inquire
which of them had the honor to be pro
fs.Ssor of signs.
Being told that the professor was
absent in the highlands and would re-
aurn nobody knew when. the ambas-
ss9'lor said. II will wait his return.
though it were twelve months"
Seeing that this would not do and
Ei4at they had to entertain him at a
great expense all the while, they con
tz1ved stratagem. There was one
sgoidy, butcher. blind of an eye
ly1ji fellow. with much wit and rogu-
ai'Y about him. He was got, instruct
NJ 50 be professor of signs, but not to
SOAK on pain of death. Geordy cheer
Ujiy undertook the role. The ambas-
ss,aljor was told that the professor of
resA Ens would be at home next day, at
Tg3lich he rejoiced greatly.
,SeXt day Geordy was gowned wig
RI and placed in a chair of state in
! r0om in the college. all the profess
rs and the ambassador being in an
l3Jo!ning room. The ambassador was
SHOWN into Ge0rdy's room and left to
r-5ayerse with him as we'll as lie could,
ne professors awaiting the issue with
sear and trembling.
rhe ambassador held up one of his
fingers to Geordy; Geordy held up two
2f his. The ambassador held up three;
'3eordy clinched his fist and looked
Stern. The ambassador then took an
orange from his pocket and held it up;
fseordy took Il piece of barley cake
from his pocket and held that up.
After which the ambassador bowed to
Aim and retired to the other professor
wbo anXously inquired his opinion
'Uf their brother.
He is a perfect miracle" said the
ambassador. Il would not give him
FOR the wealth of the Indies"
Well" said the professors, 'to de-
,asicnd to particulars"
Why" said the ambassador, IT first
l1eld up one finger, denoting that there
IS one God; he held up two, signifying
that these are the Father and Son. l
lcld up three, meaning the Father, the
Son and Holy Ghost; he clinched his
ist. to say that these three are one.
4 then took out an orange signifying
fire goodness of God, who gives his crea-
, tures not only the necessaries, but the
lUXuries. Of life, upon which the Won
a 1erful man presented piece of bread,
showing that it was the staff Of life
> aDd preferable to every luxury"
The professors were glad that mat
:. G.ars had turned out so we'll; so, having
e goG quit of the ambassador, they next
- f, % x1,o
&. signs.
We'll. Geordy. how have you come
= rfn and what do you think of yon
1-.13an?"
1.-The rascal" says Ceordy. "What
hid be do first. think ye? He held up
one finger. as much as to say, You
Ia re only one eye. Then I held up two,
sDeaning that my one eye was perhaps
rs good as both his Then the fellow
held up three of his fingers, to say that
There We're but three eyes between us,
and then l was so mad at the scoun-
lrei that | stocked my neive and was
n come a whacls on the side of his
5Aea3 and would ha' done it, too, but
far your sakes. Then the rascal did
aGt stop with his provocation here, but,
forsooth, takes out an orange, as much
As to say, Your poor, beggarly, cold
c0nntry cannot produce that. l show
&c him whang of a bear hammock,
2 II Gazing that did ma care a farthing
ca aim nor his trash neither as lang's
i ma this. But, by a that's guid," con-
cinhed Geordy, "1m angry yet that I
s4iidn't thrash the hide o the scoun-
ArelT-London I. p.'s Weekly.