282 Life and Times of " The Druid" 



and one of these who eventually took a 

 splendid degree, came on the eve of his 

 marriage to consult his old friend concerning 

 his speech on the day of the important event. 

 " The Druid " was well known as a concise 

 and effective speaker, and many applications 

 were made to him to write speeches for 

 friends on a variety of topics. On this 

 special occasion he accomplished his task 

 with ease, and being satisfied with the result, 

 sat for hours with the bridegroom elect, 

 rehearsing and amending the carefully pre- 

 pared composition. The happy morn arrived, 

 and " The Druid" (rubbing his hands as was 

 his wont when pleased) eagerly awaited the 

 moment for the bridegroom to return thanks. 

 When at length it came, the unhappy man rose 

 and began : " Ladies and gentlemen, I beg 

 to thank you for coming here to-day ! " 

 Then followed an awful pause, and casting 

 an agonized look around him, he sat down, 

 exclaiming: " I have forgotten every word of 

 it ! " The poor " Druid " long suffered from 

 the shock and disappointment. His unosten- 

 tatious acts of kindness were of constant 

 occurrence, but one in especial recurs to the 



