The Comic Almanack, Volume 1: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities
David Hume · en
I say, the next time you crawl out of a coach window, I wish you
wouldn't put your foot on a lady's chest.——Vell, if ever I seed
such a purl as that (and I've seed many a good un in my time) I'll
be blest.
Oh, dear! going home's worse than coming! It's ten to one if ever we
get back to Tooley Street alive.——Such jostling, and pushing, and
prancing of horses! and always the tipsiest gentleman of every
party _will_ drive.
I wish I was one of those ladies at the windows; or even one of the
servant maids giggling behind the garden walls.——And oh! there's
Kennington turnpike! what shouting and hooting, and blowing those
horrid cat-calls!
Ticket, Sir? got a ticket? No, I've lost it. A shilling, then. A
shilling! I've paid you once to-day.——Oh, yes, I suppose so: the
old tale; but it wont do. That's what all you sporting gentlemen
say.
Hinsolent feller! I'll have you up before your betters. Come, sir,
you musn't stop up the way. Well, I'll pay you again; but, oh
Lord! somebody's stole my purse! good gracious, what shall I do!——
I suppose I must leave my watch, and call for it to-morrow. Oh,
ruination! blow'd if that isn't gone too!
Get on there, will you?—Well, stop a moment. Will anybody lend me a
shilling? No? Well, here then, take my hat:——But if I don't show
you up in _Bell's Life in London_ next Sunday morning, my name's
not Timothy Flat.
Well, this is my last journey to Epsom, my last appearance on any
course as a backer or hedger:——For I see plain enough a
betting-book aint a day-book, and a Derby's a very different thing
from a Ledger.
A PARALLEL CASE OF HARDSHIP.