An inspector was examining a school in a country district some distance from a railway station. He was afraid of losing his train, so hurrying with his work he tried to do two things at once. Standing in the doorway, he gave out dictation to Class III. in the main room, and at the same time gave out a sum to Class IV. in an adjoining room, jerking out a few words alternately.
The sum was “If a couple of fat ducks cost 19s., how many can he get for £72 10s. 9d.” The dictation for Class III. began “Now as a lion prowling about in search, &c.” Of course the poor children heard both, and got a bit mixed. One little girl’s dictation began “Now a couple of ducks prowling about in search of a lion who had lost 19s., &c.” While a Class IV. lad was scratching his head over the following sum “If 72 couples of fat lions cost 19s., how much prowling could be got for £72 10s. 9d.”
TWO CALENDAR CATCHES.
Ask a person if Christmas Day and New Year’s Day come in the same year. The answer generally given is “Of course not, Christmas comes in this year, and New Year’s Day in the next.”
Another question that often puzzles many. Have we had more Christmas days than Good Fridays? The usual answer is “No, both the same.”
[276.] A brass memorial tablet in honour of the late Sir Charles Lilley has been fixed in the centre of the eastern wall of the Brisbane Grammar School Hall. The enthusiasm displayed by Sir Charles in the cause of education generally, and his work on behalf of the Grammar School, make this commemoration particularly appropriate. The following is the inscription, to translate which should prove a capital exercise to all Latin scholars. The tablet measures 50 inches by 30 inches.
MEMORIAL TABLET TO THE LATE SIR CHARLES LILLEY
It may be added that the lettering of the plate was designed by Mr. R. S. Dods, architect, and the engraving was done in Brisbane by Messrs. Randle Bros., the well-known engravers, of Elizabeth Street.