A BON-VIVANT, brought to his death-bed by an immoderate use of wine, after having been told that he could not in all human probability survive many hours, and would die by eight o clock next morning, exerted the small remains of his strength to call the doctor back, and said, with the true spirit of a gambler, "doctor, I'll bet you a bottle I _live till nine_!" MCCXLII.--BURKE'S TEDIOUSNESS. THOUGH upon great occasions Burke was one of the most eloquent of men that ever sat in the British senate, he had in ordinary matters as much as any man the faculty of tiring his auditors. During the latter years of his life the failing gained so much upon him, that he more than once dispersed the house, a circumstance which procured him the nickname of the Dinner-bell. A gentleman was one day going into the House, when he was surprised to meet a great number of people coming out in a body. "Is the House up?" said he: "No," answered one of the fugitives, "but Mr. Burke _is up_." MCCXLIII.--VERY LIKE EACH OTHER. IT appears that there were two persons of the name of Dr. John Thomas, not easily to be distinguished; for somebody (says Bishop Newton) was speaking of Dr. Thomas, when it was asked, "which Dr. Thomas do you mean?"--"Dr. John Thomas."--"They are both named John."--"Dr. Thomas who has a living in the city."--"They have both livings in the city."--"Dr. Thomas who is chaplain to the king."--"They are both chaplains to the king."--"Dr. Thomas who is a very good preacher."--"They are both good preachers."--"Dr. Thomas who squints."--"They both squint." They were afterwards both Bishops. MCCXLIV.--FORTUNATE STARS. "MY stars!" cried a courtier, with stars and lace twirled, "What homage we nobles command in the world!" "True, my lord," said a wag, "though the world has its jars, _Some people_ owe much to their _fortunate stars_!" MCCXLV.--A NEW READING. TOWARDS the close of the administration of Sir Robert Walpole, he was talking very freely to some of his friends of the vanity and vexations of office, and, alluding to his intended retirement, quoted from Horace the following passage:-- "Lusisti satis, edisti satis, atque bibisti: Tempus abire tibi est." "Pray, Sir Robert," said one of his friends, "is that good Latin?"--"I think so," answered Sir. Robert; "what objection have you to it?"--"Why," said the other dryly, "I did not know but the word might be _bribe-isti_ in your Horace." MCCXLVI.--QUITE AT EASE. FOOTE, the actor, was one day taken into White's Club-House by a friend who wanted to write a note. Lord Carmarthen approached to speak to him; but feeling rather shy, he merely said, "Mr. Foote, your handkerchief is hanging out of your pocket." Foote, looking suspiciously round, and hurriedly thrusting the handkerchief back into his pocket, replied, "Thank you, my lord: you know _the company_ better than I do." MCCXLVII.--CHARLES, DUKE OF NORFOLK.