JACOB JOHNSON, the publisher, having refused to advance Dryden a sum of money for a work upon which he was engaged, the incensed bard sent a message to him, and the following lines, adding, "Tell the dog that he who wrote these can write more":-- "With leering looks, bull-necked, and freckled face, With two left legs, and Judas-colored hair, And frowsy pores, that taint the ambient air!" Johnson felt the force of the description; and, to avoid, a completion of the portrait, immediately sent the money. CCXXI.--THE ANGLO-FRENCH ALLIANCE. JERROLD was in France, and with a Frenchman who was enthusiastic on the subject of the Anglo-French alliance. He said that he was proud to see the English and French such good friends at last. "Tut! the best thing I know between France and England is--_the sea_," said Jerrold. CCXXII.--QUIN'S SAYING. ON the 30th of January (the martyrdom of King Charles the First), Quin used to say, "Every king in Europe would rise with a _crick in his neck_." CCXXIII.--A GOOD REASON. A CERTAIN minister going to visit one of his sick parishioners, asked him how he had rested during the night. "Oh, wondrous ill, sir," replied he, "for mine eyes have not come together these three nights."--"What is the reason of that?" said the other. "Alas! sir," said he, "because _my nose_ was betwixt them." CCXXIV.--BILLY BROWN AND THE COUNSELLOR. WHEN Mr. Sheridan pleaded in court his own cause, and that of the Drury Lane Theatre, an Irish laborer, known amongst the actors by the name of Billy Brown, was called upon to give his evidence. Previous to his going into court, the counsellor, shocked at the shabby dress of the witness, began to remonstrate with him on this point: "You should have put on your Sunday clothes, and not think of coming into court covered with lime and brick-dust; it detracts from the credit of your evidence."--"_Be cool, Mr. Counsellor_," said Billy, "_only be cool, you're in your working-dress, and I am in mine; and that's that_." CCXXV.--THE RULING PASSION AFTER DEATH. A DRUNKEN witness leaving the box, blurted out, "My Lord, I never cared for anything but women and horseflesh!" Mr. Justice Maule: "Oh, you never cared for anything but women and horseflesh? Then I advise you to go home and make your will, or, if you have made it, put a codicil to it, and direct your executors, as soon as you are dead, to have you flayed, and to have your skin made into side-saddles, and then, whatever happens, you will have the satisfaction of reflecting that, after death, some part of you will be constantly in contact with what, in life, were the _dearest objects_ of your affections." CCXXVI.--CUT AND COME AGAIN.