INSTANCE OF OVER-ZEAL. 43 



formation. The process resembles the coining of new words to which the 

 higher languages owe their copiousness. It is noticed in the signs invented 

 by Indians for each new product of civilization brought to their notice. 

 Less error will arise in this direction than from the misinterpretation of the 

 idea intended to be conveyed by spontaneous signs. 



The absurdity to which over-zeal may be exposed is illustrated by an 

 anecdote found in several versions and in several languages, but repeated 

 as a veritable Scotch legend by Duncan Anderson, esq., principal of the 

 Glasgow Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, when he visited Washington 

 in 1853. 



King James I of England desiring to play a trick upon the Spanish 

 ambassador, a man of great erudition, but who had a crotchet in his head 

 upon sign-language, informed him that there was a distinguished professor 

 of that science in the University at Aberdeen. The ambassador set out for 

 that place, preceded by a letter from the King with instructions to make the 

 best of him. There was in the town one Geordy, a butcher, blind of one eye, 

 a fellow of much wit and drollery. Geordy is told to play the part of a pro- 

 fessor, with the warning not to speak a word, is gowned, wigged, and placed 

 in a chair of state, when the ambassador is shown in and they are left 

 alone together. Presently the nobleman came out greatly pleased with 

 the experiment, claiming that his theory was demonstrated. He said, 

 " When I entered the room I raised one finger, to signify there is one God. 

 He replied by raising two fingers to signify that this Being rules over two 

 worlds, the material and the spiritual. Then I raised three fingers, to say 

 there are three persons in the Godhead. He then closed his fingers, evi- 

 dently to say these three are one." After this explanation on the part of 

 the nobleman, the professors sent for the butcher and asked him what 

 took place in the recitation-room. He appeared very angry and said, 

 " When the crazy man entered the room where I was he raised one finger, 

 as much as to say, I had but one eye, and I raised two fingers to signify 

 that I could see out of my one eye as well as he could out of both of his. 

 When he raised three fingers, as much as to say there were but three eyes 

 between us, I doubled up my fist, and if he had not gone out of that room 

 in a hurry I would have knocked him down." 



