741. A crooked gentleman, on his arrival at Bath, was asked by another,
what place he had travelled from? I came straight from London, replied
he. Did you so? said the other, then you have been terribly warped by
the way.
742. A countryman on a trial respecting the right of a fishery at a late
Lancaster assizes, was cross-examined by Serjeant Cockel, who, among
many other questions, asked the witness, Dost thou love fish? Yes, said
the poor fellow, with a look of native simplicity, but I dinna like
Cockle sauce with it. A roar of laughter of course followed.
743. A witness in a court, speaking in a very harsh and loud voice, the
lawyer employed on the other side exclaimed, Fellow, why dost thou bark
so furiously? Because, replied the rustic, I think I sees a thief.
744. When Mr. Canning was about giving up Gloucester Lodge, Brompton, he
said to his gardener, as he took a farewell look of the grounds, I am
sorry, Fraser, to leave this old place. Psha, sir, said George, don’t
fret; when you had this old place, you were out of place; now you are in
place, you can get both yourself and me a better place. The hint was
taken, and old George provided for.
745. An Irish Baronet, walking out with a gentleman, was met by his
nurse, who requested charity. The baronet exclaimed vehemently, I will
give you nothing:―you played me a scandalous trick in my infancy. The
old woman, in amazement, asked him what injury she had done to him? He
answered, I was a fine boy, and you changed me!
746. Sir William B. being at a parish meeting, made some proposals that
were objected to by a farmer. Highly enraged, Sir, said he to the
farmer, do you know that I have been to two universities, and at two
colleges in each university? Well, sir, said the farmer, what of that? I
had a calf that sucked two cows, and the observation I made was, the
more he sucked the greater calf he grew.
747. Sir W. Curtis was once present at a public dinner where the Dukes
of York and Clarence formed part of the company. The president gave as a
toast, The “Adelphi” (the Greek word for The Brothers). When it came to
the worthy baronet’s turn to give a toast, he said, Mr. President, as
you seem inclined to give public buildings, I beg leave to propose
Somerset House.
748. One of his Majesty’s frigates being at anchor on a winter’s night,
in a tremendous gale of wind, the ground broke, and she began to drive.
The lieutenant of the watch ran down to the captain, awoke him from his
sleep, and told him the anchor had come home. Well, said the captain,
rubbing his eyes, I think the anchor is perfectly right; who would stay
out such a night as this?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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