English Jests and Anecdotes, Collected from Various SourcesVarious
General
English Jests and Anecdotes, Collected from Various Sources
Various
Anecdotes -- England; English wit and humor
The following anecdote is related of Sir Robert Walpole: Being afraid
on one occasion that the bishops would vote against him in a question
before the House of Lords, he induced the Archbishop of Canterbury to
stay at home for two or three days, and circulated a report that his
Grace was dangerously ill. On the day of meeting the house was crowded
with lawn-sleeves, not one of which voted against the court!
GRAND-DAUGHTER OF CROMWELL.
In the suite of the Princess Amelia, aunt of George III., there was a
lady of the name of Russell, grand-daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and who
it would seem inherited, without any alloy, much of his undaunted and
ready spirit. On 30th of January, she was occupied in adjusting some
part of the princess’ dress, when the Prince of Wales (Frederick) came
into the room and said, “For shame, Miss Russell, why have you not been
at church humbling yourself for the sins of this day committed by your
grandfather?” “Sir,” replied Miss Russell, “for a grand-daughter of
Oliver Cromwell, it is humiliation sufficient to be employed as I am,
in pinning up your sister’s train.”
PURCEL.
Daniel Purcel, who was a non-juror, told a friend that he had a full
view of George the First as he landed at Greenwich. “Then,” said his
friend, “you know him by sight.” “Yes,” said Purcel, “I think I know
him; but I can’t swear to him.”
PENN AND CHARLES II.
When the celebrated Penn visited Charles II., the king, observing him
keep on his hat, took off his own, and stood uncovered before his
precise subject, who said, “Prithee, friend Charles, put on thy hat.”
“No,” said the king; “it is customary for only one man to stand covered
here.”
NO JOKE.
A gentleman whose grounds had the misfortune to lie near a public
road, and were therefore much intruded upon, set up a board to scare
offenders by the notification that steel-traps and spring-guns were
set in these enclosures. This, however, being no more than the common
warning, was totally disregarded: the grounds were just as much
molested, and the fruit of the orchard as constantly stolen as ever. At
length he caused to be painted in very large prominent letters below
the other inscription--“No joke, by God!” which, it is stated, had the
desired effect.
MAJOR LONGBOW.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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