The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-29
THE LATE BISHOP
 POTTER AS A WIT,

Perhaps no man of his time has been more talked about than the late Bishop Henry Goldman Potter, whose death is viewed as a national calamity. Bishop Potter was a many-sided man. Illustrating as did the force of heredi- ty-being born of a race of church men, educators, social leaders and diplomats. He was a much misunder- stood man in many respects-princi- pally because he did not follow the beaten path. He was most democratic in his views warm -blooded, generous and a good friend of the down and out" class.
 Bishop Potter verified the idea in prose and poetry that Miss Mary Chomondeley aptly expressed in her charming book, Red Pottage," that "A bishop without sense of humor is lost"
 Again in another clever book of mod ern popularity, "Three Roads to Para dise," "A bishop and his wittlcisms con- stitute the most readable part of the novel. " It was Lord Chesterfield who said, That everything suffers by trans lation, except a bishop"
 Bishop Potter was telling influence in secular affairs. He did not believe in '1ong-faced Christianity" but thought it was the right of every man and woman to be attractive and genial. At Grace church he presided for years over the most fashionable congreg4- tion In Manhattan, and he was often referred to as the Pink of propriety." on account of his savoir faire, and the faultless cut of his clerical garb.
 As raconteur, as wit, Bishop Pot ter was at his best. He was a mucn sought dinner guest, and his bon mots were repeatedly referred to. His friend, Bishop William c. Doane, bishop of Albany, was the target for one of the best things he ever said It seems friend was telling Bishop Potter of the intensely English manner that Bishop Doane was assuming. His Anglo-mania in fact was carrying him beyond all bounds
 why Bishop" said the friend, do you know that Bishop Doane has gone so far now that he is signing himself William of Albany?
 Why the idea is absurd" said Bishop Potter. Why doesn't he sign himself IDulldlO bill-Ht IIOfn buIldIO
 From his father Bishop Alonzo c. Pot ter, and his uncle Bishop Horatio Pot ter, he inherited his love of humor. The remark is attributed to him that "In blessing first communicants le had prob ably laid his hands on more false hair than any other living man."
 A writer tells of the Bishops visit to the fashionable home of prominent New York physician at Lenox. The hostess had a handsome silver toilet set on the bureau of the guest room. Hay ing a toilet set of his own the Bishop put the one he found on the bureau in the second drawer and showed 1t well back and to one side to make room for his linen.
 After he had left on Monday the maid reported to the hostess that the silver toilet set was missing and the hostess telegraphed to Bishop Potter asking if he had by mistake packed 1t in his valise
 Back, and very promptly came this re- ply:-"Poor but honest. Look in second bureau drawer, well back to the left ' He enjoyed the humor of the incident as much as did those who heard of it after ward.
 When beautiful Cora Urquhart married young James Brown Potter, Ca relative of the Bishop's) and afterwards went on the stage, some one asked Bishop Pot ter what he thought of 1t. Quick as flash he repled:
 Well, you know, actresses will hap pen in the best regulated families"
 A story is told of a marriage at which he officiated once upon a time The con- tracting parties being intimate friends of his family, all the sisters, and the cous- ins and the aunts were present. Looking about him and seeing so many of his family and relatives around him, he