ABSENT-MINDED MEN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1372, 23 October 1883, Page 3

ABSENT-MINDED MEN.

The “Oracle,” in an article on the above subject, refers to an episode of Leasing, who “ suffered himself to be turned from his own door by a servant not recognising him and denying that he was not at home, with a “Very well, no matter; I’ll call another time.’ ” Yet it is not without reason that, in spite of his peculiarity, the title of “ The Absent Man ” fell pa* credence on the Rev. George Harvest. This worthy individual, we are credibly informed, w as engaged to marry the daughter of Compton, Bishop of London. The day was named, and the bride in readiness for the important ceremony. But the groom came not—fishing, he fished on till the canonical hour had slipped by—slipped by, as far as he and his intended were concerned, for ever. It is no more surprising that her indignation was such that she broke off the match with the man who could thus / heartlessly forget her on her wedding moia, than that that same man in after years was so treated for the same reason “ by a second and equally offended bride.” The case insensibly calls to mind that cited by Lord Campbell in his “ Lives of the Chancellors,” fortunately for the ladies one of considerable rarity There the offender was Serjeant Hill—supposed to be the greatest blackletter lawyer s nee Maynurd’s time, and as much celebrated for his eccentricity as his learning.” It is stated of him th a’ on his wedding night, going to his chambers in the Temple, he continued there “ reading cases till next morning ” He Thought of the year book and forgot his bride ! An Irish manager, playing die character of King Henry in Richard 111., after delivering himself of the speech commencing—

Oh thou, wb<- e unrelenting thoughts Not *ll the I, Icons terrors of thy guilt can shake, Whose con - ieuce with thy body ever sleeps—sleep on! remained, a® usual, for some time in silence. Then, seized with <ne of his not infr quent, fits of absence, he availed himself of the opportunity afforded him of counting the house. In another minute he uttered with evident joy ; “ Sixteen pounds two in the boxes ; three pound ten in the pit ; gallery, seventeen thirteen !”