MEREDITH'S APPLE PUDDING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 245, 26 January 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

MEREDITH'S APPLE PUDDING.

MR. KDWARD CLODD'S AMUSING STORIES.

Mr. Edward Clodd, the well-known writer on folk-lore .subjects, has just published a delightful book of reminiscenccs entitled "Memories" (Chapman and Hall). A friend of some of the greatest writers, scientists, and philosophers or the day, his book is full of interesting stories.

(hie is told by his father, who was a captain on a merchantman, of Sir John Franklin, tho pioneer of Arctic exploration. Ln May, 134."), Sir John Franklin's .ships, the Erebus and Terror, anchored in Aldeburgh Bay prior to the journey to the Arctic regions which ended so tragically. Mr. Clodd's father was aboard the Erebus, and talking with Sir John about the difficulties to bo met when he reached the vast continent of ; cc and snow, the explorer said, "Well, if 1 can't cut through it I'll bite through it." Mr. Clodd tells the following about George Mtredith, who was recovering from an operation, and was taking a somewhat frugal meal consisting ; i half an apple pudding. The maid, taking away tho dish in which the half of tho pudding remained, said, "Oh, n' you please, sir, does ♦his puddm' want savin' '•''

That \\;\ > enough tor Mored'th. Looking at her solemnly, he said, "Now, my gooil girl, you, believe a churchgoer, ask mo if this puddin' wante savin'. Do you think the puddin' has a soul that it stands in need of salvation!- Take it away, Elizabeth, and let me never hear you ask such a question again." Tho Rev. Ch ales Anderson, the famous cleric, when a curate somewhere in the Midlands, met in the street a district visitor, who told him that she despaired of her work, and must give it up. She gave this as the reason. "When I called on old Mrs. Brown, who you know, sir, is dying of cancer, I tried to make her more resigned to her sufferings by reminding her that the squire's lady has the same dreadful thing, and she might see that tho rich are just like tho poor in not lie ing able to stave off disease, for all the money they have.

"Then sh.> said to me, 'That's a;!l very true, miss, but you sec her ladyship ain't in that state of life am haw .she's got to be read to." Another story .dr. CI odd tells of Mr Anderson, whose verger camo to him one morning with the needle» query, "You know old Hetty, sir!-'" _ Betty was And. isou's charwoman. "Well, sir, 1 know you'll laugh, but Hetty and t arc going to be spliced, and we want you to splice us." Both bride and bridegroom were well past seventy. Tn due time tliey took their places at the altar. When the o!d man was called upon to repeat the words. " I take tli<vi to be my wedded wife, to h-we and to bold." he broke in, "Very true, sir. much too old. both on us. sir."

The sen-vant of Frederick Powell, the historian, accustomed to his master's disregard for bills, thrust out of sight a letter which looked like n final demand for payment. On being rescued it was found to contain an offer ol the Regius Pnr.'e-isirship of Modern II istorv from Lord Tlosobory.