Dr. Simson, the celebrated mathematician, was exceedingly absent-minded, and practical jokes were not unfrequently played off upon him. On one occasion one of the college porters dressed for th purpose, came to him asking charity, and in answer to the professor’s questions, gave an account of his case closely resembling the professor’s own history who when he found so great a resemblance, cried out:

"What’s your name?" and on the answer being given, "Robert Sirnson!" he exclaimed, with great animation, "hy, it must be myself !" which idea so impressed and moved him that he gave the poor professor a handsome gratuity, at the same time bewailing the fate of an unfortunate man of genius.