when
. separated from their sustaining environment, do not lack in
humor. Some have become classic, and with these most of us are,
no doubt, familiar. Nevertheless, among the many which are not
widely known we may find a few which are worthy of at least a
smile.
The first story which comes to us has to do with that species of
individual known, commonly, in college parlance, as "the' leg
puller." At a certain Western college a report of some recent
strength tests was one clay posted on the bulletin. At the bottom
of the report was the statement that "Mr. Blank has established a
new college record for total strength. Also, on the leg pull he
reached the limit of the machine." Below some wag gave the
timely warning : "All professors are hereby warned against the
aforesaid person."
The "lapsus lingua" of the instructor is frequently the cause of
much merriment, as the following stories will show : A kindly old
professor, who had a habit of rubbing his nose while speaking, was
lecturing to his class in mineralogy. Standing by his desk, he
took a piece of quartz in one hand, and, as he reflectively stroked
his nose with the other hand, made the solemn remark, "Gentlemen,
I have in my hand a specimen." Instantly came the query, "Which
hand, professor ?" Another instructor, a professor of psychology,
was discussing with his class the inconsistencies of a certain line
of reasoning. Four of these weaknesses had already been disposed
of when the professor called up the next man to discuss the fifth
inconsistency in this fashion : "We will now consider the fifth great
;inconsistency,—Mr. C." The third story is of a young instructor
of anatomy in a college in a New England city. He was one day
dictating questions for a review and startled his class with the an
nouncement that "the first question on the review will be, Name the
different kinds of joints?''
A modern illustration of the Biblical quotation, "The wick
ed flee where no man pursueth," occurred in a classroom
in this wise : The lecturer had talked long and earnestly, but
one student, whom we shall call Ford, remained buried in his
book. At last the professor turned toward him and said,