DURING the interregnum after the death of King Charles I., the soldiers were accustomed to visit the theatres and rob the audience, so that it was said to be part of the stage directions,--"_Enter_ the Red Coat: _Exeunt_ Hat and Cloak." DXLI.--ON JEKYLL NEARLY BEING THROWN DOWN BY A VERY SMALL PIG. AS Jekyll walked out in his gown and his wig, He happened to tread on a very small pig: "Pig of science," he said, "or else I'm mistaken, For surely thou art an _abridgment of Bacon_." DXLII.--UNKIND. "PRAY, sir," said Lady Wallace to David Hume, "I am often asked what age I am; what answer should I make?" Mr. Hume, immediately guessing her ladyship's meaning, said, "Madam, when you are asked that question again, answer that you are not yet come to the years of _discretion_." DXLIII.--DEAN SWIFT AND KING WILLIAM. THE motto which was inserted under the arms of William, Prince of Orange, on his accession to the English crown, was, _Non rapui sed recepi_ ["I did not _steal_ it, but I _received_ it"]. This being shown to Dean Swift, he said, with a sarcastic smile, "The _receiver_ is as bad as the _thief_." DXLIV.--EPIGRAM. (On ----'s declaring his detestation of all meanness). IF really ---- do but loathe Things base or mean, I must confess I'd very freely take my oath, Self-love's a fault he don't possess. DXLV.--ELOQUENT SILENCE. "YOU have already read that section four times, Mr. ----," said Maule to a prosing counsel. "It's iteration! It's ----, I use no _epithet_, it is iteration;" his look implying _the anathema_. DXLVI.--KEEPING A PROMISE. THUS, with kind words, Fairface cajoled his friend: "Dear Dick! on me thou may'st assured depend; I know thy fortune is but very scant, But never will I see my friend in want." Dick soon in gaol, believed his friend would free him; He kept his word,--in want he ne'er would see him! DXLVII.--NAVAL ORATORY. WHEN Admiral Cornwallis commanded the Canada, a mutiny broke out in the ship, on account of some accidental delay in paying the crew. The men signed _a round robin_, wherein they declared that they would not fire a gun till they were paid. Captain Cornwallis, on receiving this declaration, caused all hands to be called on deck, and thus addressed them: "My lads, the money cannot be paid till we return to port, and as to your not fighting, that is mere nonsense:--I'll clap you alongside the first large ship of the enemy I see, and I know that the Devil himself will not be able to _keep you from it_." The men all returned to their duty, better satisfied than if they had been paid the money ten times over. DXLVIII.--VERSE AND WORSE.