OLD STORIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2002, 1 February 1890, Page 4

OLD STORIES.

The following anecdotes are taken frctn Sir George Bowen’s book: “It should, perhaps, be mentioned that there is current in- ihe colonies a story of a bishop of great learning but ot singular absence of mind. When once caught in a storm, he asked a sailor— ‘ I hope, my friend, there is no danger ? ’ The sailor probably thought that, according to the well-known superstition of bis class, the presence of the bishop on board had brought on-the bad weather, and answered gruffly—'Danger l my lord, of course there is danger; we shall all be in heaven in half an hour I ’ ‘ God forbid ! ’ exclaimed the bLhop, unconsciously raising his clasped hands. So a well-known Governor was wont to relate that be was, together with a high dignitary, once exposed to a violent gale on a lee shore. The captain came down to the cabin and said, ‘ Ycur Excellency and gentlemen, I think it right to tell you that we are in great danger ; I have dona all that man can do for your safely, and you must now trust to Providence. Oh ! is it as had as that ! ” ejaculated the dignitary. So, again, a captain of one of the P. and O, steamers stated that on one occasion a missionary among the passengers asked, in only half a gale of wind, if the ship was not sinking. ‘ I took him,’ said the captain, ‘ to the forecastle, and told him to listen to the talk of the sailors, who were Using profane language. Do you suppose, sir,’ I remarked, ‘that the sailors would talk in that way if the ship were finking under them ? This seem j d to encourage the missionary, who went back to his cabin. However, in the middle of the night the wind increased, and I saw creeping towards the forecastle u whi'o ol'ject, which I soon discov red lobe my friend in his night-gown. He listened for a minute to the sailors, and then crept back to his berth, muttering, ‘ Jhank Ood ! they are sioearing still' ”