Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1880 — Absence of Mind. [ARTICLE]

Absence of Mind.

“Speaking of absence of mind,” said the Rev. Sidney Smith, “ the oddest instance happened to me once in forgetting my name. I knocked at a door in London, and asked if Mrs. B. was at home. 4 Yes, sir; pray, what name shall I say?’ I looked in the man’s face astonished—what name? Aye, that is my question—what is my name ? I believe the man thought me mad, but it is literally true that during the space of two or three minutes I had no more idea of who I was than if I had never existed. I did not know whether I was a dissenter or a layman; I felt as dull as Sternhold or Jenkins. At last, to my great relief, it flashed across me that I was Sidney Smith. I heard also of a clergyman who went jogging along on the road until he came to a turnpike. ‘ What is to pay ? ’ ‘ Pay, sir ? for what ? ’ asked the turnpike man. 4 Why, for my horse, to be sure ! ’ 4 Your horse, sir ! what horse ? Here is no horse, sir ! ’ 4 No horse! God bless me ! ’ said he, suddenly looking down between his legs, 4 1 thought I was on horseback ! ’ ”