The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 393, October 10, 1829Various
History
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 393, October 10, 1829
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
On a vacancy on the Scotch bench, a certain advocate of some standing at
the bar, but by no means remarkable for the brilliancy of his parts, or
the extent of his legal knowledge, was in full expectation of being
appointed to the vacant gown. This is done by a court letter, signed
with the King's sign manual. In the full flutter of his darling hopes,
he one day encountered an old brother lawyer, notorious for the acidity
of his temper, and the poignancy and acrimony of his remarks. "Weel,
friend Robby," said the latter, "I hear you're to get the vacant
gown."--"Yes, Mr. C--k, I have every reason to believe so."--"Have ye
gotten doon your letter yet frae London?"--"No: but I expect an express
every minute."--"Nae doot, nae doot; have you bethocht yoursel o' what
teetle ye're to tak'? Lord H--n will never do; ye ken that's the teetle
o' ane o' oor grandest dukes. Gudesake, for a bit session lordy, like
you, to gang by that style and teetle o' ane high and michty prince!
that wad be a bonny boorlesque on a' warldly honours and dignities. Weel
a weel, let that be a pass over. Noo a teetle ye maun hae, that's as
clear as the licht, and there's ane come just now into my head that will
answer ye to a T; when ye're a lord, freend, Robby, ye'll be Lord
Preserve Us?"--"You are very impertinent Mr. C--k," replied the nettled
judge expectant; "I am sure you may find a waur."--There never, perhaps,
was, or will be, comprehended so much pithy meaning and bitter sarcasm
in a single syllable, as that which formed the astounding
response--"Whaur (where)?"
* * * * *
GREGORY THE GREAT A PUNSTER.
Gregory the great was a punster, as appears from an anecdote related of
him, and which gave the first impulse to his exertions to promulgate
Christianity in this country. It was sometime before he was advanced to
St. Peter's chair, and when he was only a deacon in the church, that he
saw some handsome youths for sale in the open market: struck with their
appearance, he inquired whence they were, and was answered they were
_Angli (English.)_ "They are rightly called," said he, "for they seem
Angeli," (of or belonging to angels,) and asking what province they were
of among the Angli; he was told of _Deira_ (part of the kingdom of
Northumbria.) Ah, exclaimed he, _De ira Dei sunt liberandi_. Learning
farther that their king was named _Alle_, he said how fitly may he sing
_Alle_lujahs to God, who possesseth such subjects. From that time he
seriously endeavoured to bring about the conversion of the English
nation, and a few years afterwards, being Pope, he happily effected it
by the travels and labours of St. Augustine, who was the first
Archbishop of Canterbury.
* * * * *
EPITAPH
_In St. Mary's Churchyard, Lambeth._
God takes the good, too good to stay,
He leaves the bad, too bad to take away.
* * * * *
MUSIC.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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