SOME years ago, says Richardson, in his anecdotes of painting, a gentleman came to me to invite me to his house. "I have," says he, "a picture of Rubens, and it is a rare good one. Little H. the other day came to see it, and says it is _a copy_. If any one says so again, I'll _break his head_. Pray, Mr. Richardson, will you do me the favor to come, and give me _your real opinion of it_?" XXXVIII.--WELL-BRED HORSE. "HOW does your new-purchased horse _answer_?" said the late Duke of Cumberland to George Selwyn. "I _really_ don't know," replied George, "for I never _asked him a question_." XXXIX.--"ONE FOR HIS NOB." A BARRISTER entered the hall with his wig very much awry, of which he was not at all apprised, but was obliged to endure from almost every observer some remark on its appearance, till at last, addressing himself to Mr. Curran, he asked him, "Do you see anything ridiculous in this wig."--"Nothing but _the head_," was the answer. XL.--SOUND AND FURY. A LADY, after performing, with the most brilliant execution, a sonato on the pianoforte, in the presence of Dr. Johnson, turning to the philosopher, took the liberty of asking him if he was fond of music? "No, madam," replied the doctor; "but of all _noises_, I think music is the least disagreeable." XLI.--COME OF AGE. A YOUNG man met a rival who was somewhat advanced in years, and, wishing to annoy him, inquired how old he was? "I can't exactly tell," replied the other; "but I can inform you that _an ass_ is older at twenty than a man at sixty!" XLII.--A STRIKING NOTICE. THE following admonition was addressed by a Quaker to a man who was pouring forth a volley of ill language against him: "Have a care, friend, thou mayest run _thy face_ against _my fist_." XLIII.--UP IN THE WORLD. A FELLOW boasting in company of his family, declared even his own father died in an exalted situation. Some of the company looking incredulous, another observed, "I can bear testimony to the gentleman's veracity, as my father was sheriff for the county when his was _hanged_ for horse-stealing." XLIV.--REVERSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. WHEN General V---- was quartered in a small town in Ireland, he and his lady were regularly besieged as they got into their carriage by an old beggar-woman, who kept her post at the door, assailing them daily with fresh importunities. One morning, as Mrs. V. stepped into the carriage, the woman began: "Oh, my lady! success to your ladyship, and success to your honor's honor: for sure I did not _dream_ last night that her ladyship gave me a pound of tea, and your honor gave me a pound of tobacco."--"My good woman," said the general, "dreams go by the rule of contrary."--"Do they so?" rejoined the old woman; "then it must mean, that your honor will give me _the tea_, and her ladyship _the tobacco_." XLV.--A DOGGED ANSWER.