Show MATTER OF SELF protection why signatures signature in the form of a round robin were at one time advisable the most generally accepted belief Is that tile the practice of signing a protest or petition in a circle now known as as a round robin originated in france where as protests from subordinates were regarded by government officials as little less lees than mutiny there was a natural desire to keep the order of signing secret the most noted round robin in the english language Is probably one that originated at a dinner in the house of sir joshua reynolds among those attending were edmund burke edward gibbon and others famous in the world of letters all of whom were friends or acquaintances of oliver goldsmith the epitaph written for the poet by doctor johnson became a topic of discussion cus sion and various changes were suggested these it was agreed should be submitted tor for the doctors consideration when the question arose as to who should propose them to him it was suggested that a round robin was the best means of solving the difficulty despite ills his fiery disposition doctor johnson it Is said accepted the robin in the spirit to in which it was intended |