Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1894 — Absent-Mindedness. [ARTICLE]

Absent-Mindedness.

Legouve’s “Memoirs” contain a story which illustrates the absentmindedness of Louis Philippe. The brother dramatists, Casimir and Germain Delavigne, had decided to get married simultaneously, and thought it their duty to inform the King of their intentions. Casimir was deputed to convey the news. “Sire, my brother and I intend to marry on Sunday next,” he said. “Indeed! At the same, time?” asked the King. “Yes, sire.” “And at the same church?” “Yes, sire.” “Then J need not ask whether it is the same lady!” ' Another and more curious exampleof absent-mindedness is given in the same volumes. The hero in tliis'case was Ampere, the electrician and mathematician. He was holding a formal reception, and appeared in hid drawing room in his Academician’s dress, coat, waistcoat, hat, sword, and all complete, except only the inexpressibles. Of the same Ampere it is told that he once wrote to his son, Jean Jacques, the critic and his- j torian, who was in Kome, a letter so touching and miserable, that the young man hastened home, convinced that his father was seriously' indis- ! posed. Next morning at breakfast the father was taciturn and thoughtful. At last he said, “Do you know, Jean Jacques, it is very strange, but I really thought that 1 shou!d be pleased to see you again? lam not. Do you think of returning to Kome to-day?” And this was when the journey between Paris and Rome meant at least a fortnight’s hard" traveling.