AMUSING MISTAKE OF A SHOWMAN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 11 February 1909, Page 238

AMUSING MISTAKE OF A SHOWMAN

When the eminent French writer, Ferdinand Brunetiere, visited the United States some years ago, lecturing at Harvard and other leading universities, he had an amusing experience. The great litterateur devoted much attention to the life and works of Bossuet, who was often styled the 'Eagle of Meaux,' on account, perhaps, of his lofty flighis of eloquence. This fact, with others pertaining to his literary career, was mentioned by some daily papers during h's stay in America.

It caught the eyes of an American showman, who, however, got somewhat mixed over the meaning of the allusion. He wrote the following letter to the French author: — ' sir^— l have just heard that a certain Meaux eagle, very celebrated, it appears, in your country, has become your exclusive property. Now, I am the manager of a museum in one of the largest cities in the States. This Meaux eagle, whose reputation .has "been enhanced hy your eloquence, would certainly not fail to excite the curiosity of my public. If you will let me have the. rare bird and tell me how to feed it you can quote your own figure.'

Brunetiere politely explained that the ' rare bird ' had been dead for nearly 200 years.