Among a number of instances of the celebrated Dr. Moncey's absence
of mind, is one which he frequently mentioned, and laughed at
heartily, when in good humour, at the same time observing that
his brother was as bad as himself. The doctor being once on a
visit to his brother, in Norfolk, in the beginning of winter, and
intending to set off for London the next day, his brother proposed
to go and shoot wild ducks early in the morning, that he might
carry two or three couple fresh killed to London with him. The
servant was ordered to clean the long fowling piece, get plenty
of powder and shot, and to goose-grease their boots. Every thing
being in readiness according to their desire, about an hour before
day-light the doctor and his brother set off for the place where
the ducks resort, in order to be there by the break of day, when
they generally take wing to go to feed. They had walked nearly three
miles, and it having rained in the night, the clay mud wall was very
dirty and greasy, when they heard the cry of the ducks. They were
now obliged to get over the wall and the gate, across a sluice into
the marsh where the ducks were. The rain had raised the water about
a foot. It was then proposed that one should go over, and the other
remain behind. Says the doctor, "George, do you go over, for I have
forgotten my boots." "So have I doctor," says his brother; "but we
wont lose our sport, as we have come so far." So both waded through,
and got over the gate into the marsh, and advancing along the fleet,
they at length perceived the ducks. "You are near enough, George,"
said the doctor.--"Aye," replied George, "I think we are not above
a hundred yards off." "Why then fire," says the doctor.--"Do you
fire," returned George. "Why I hav'nt got the gun; do you fire."
"I fire! why I have not got the gun," said his brother, "I thought
you had it. What a fine opportunity is lost. Here are not less than
thirty ducks within shot, and neither of us have got the gun."