The Marquis and the Land-Agent; a Tale of the Eighteenth Century: Presidential Address to the Mathematical Association, 1933

Extract

There is a well-known story about the late Archbishop Temple, that he once had to listen to a sermon by a youthful and inexperienced clergyman, and to dine with him afterwards, the young man, by way of making conversation during the meal, ventured to remark, “I think, my lord, that I chose a good text for my sermon” Instantly there came the grim reply, “There was nothing wrong with the text”. It may be that the consequence of my having selected a seductive title which does not possess a very close connection with the actual subject of my address will be that, when we adjourn presently, I may get the impression that my audience has consisted entirely of archbishops.