Genuine Laziness
A YOUNG farmer, inspecting his father's concerns in the time of
hay-harvest, found a body of the mowers asleep, when they should have
been at work. What is this? cried the youth; why, me, you are so
indolent, that I would give a crown to know which is the most lazy of
you.--I am he, cried the one nearest to him, still stretching himself
at his ease. Here then said the youth, holding out the money. O,
Master George, said the fellow, folding his arms, do pray take the
trouble of putting it into my pocket for me.
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Fortunate Stars
MY stars! cried a courtier, with stars and lace twirled, What homage we nobles command in the world! True, my lord, said a wag, though the world has its jars, Some people owe much to their fortunate stars! ... French Language
WHEN some one was expatiating on the merits of the French language to Mr. Canning, he exclaimed: Why, what on earth, sir, can be expected of a language which has but one word for liking and loving, and puts a fine woman and a leg of mutton on a par:... French Precipitation
THE late Mr. Petion, who was sent over into this country to acquire a knowledge of our criminal law, is said to have declared himself thoroughly informed upon the subject, after remaining precisely two-and-thirty minutes in the Old Bailey. ... Full Inside
CHARLES LAMB, one afternoon, in returning from a dinner-party, took his seat in a crowded omnibus, when a stout gentleman subsequently looked in and politely asked, All full inside?--I don't know how it may be, sir, with the other passengers, answer... Full Proof
LORD PETERBOROUGH was once taken by the mob for the great Duke of Marlborough (who was then in disgrace with them); and being about to be roughly treated, said,--Gentlemen, I can convince you by two reasons that I am not the Duke of Marlborough. In ... Funeral Invitation
SIR BOYLE ROACH had a servant who was as great an original as his master. Two days after the death of the baronet, this man waited upon a gentleman, who had been a most intimate friend of Sir Boyle, for the purpose of telling him that the time at wh... G A'b
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... Gambling
I NEVER by chance hear the rattling of dice that it doesn't sound to me ... Garrick And Foote
THE Lying Valet being one hot night annexed as an afterpiece to the comedy of The Devil upon Two Sticks, Garrick, coming into the Green Room, with exultation called out to Foote, Well, Sam, I see, after all, you are glad to take up with one of my fa... Garth And Rowe
DOCTOR GARTH, who used frequently to go to the Wit's Coffee House, the Cocoa-Tree, in St. James's Street, was sitting there one morning conversing with two persons of rank, when Rowe, the poet, who was seldom very attentive to his dress and appearan... General Wolfe
GENERAL WOLFE invited a Scotch officer to dine with him; the same day he was also invited by some brother officers. You must excuse me, said he to them; I am already engaged to Wolfe. A smart young ensign observed, he might as well have expressed hi... Generosity And Prudence
FRANK, who will any friend supply, ... Gently Jemmy
SIR JAMES MACKINTOSH invited Dr. Parr to take a drive in his gig. The horse became restive. Gently, Jemmy, says the doctor, don't irritate him; always soothe your horse, Jemmy. You'll do better without me. Let me down, Jemmy. Once on terra-firma, th... Genuine Laziness
A YOUNG farmer, inspecting his father's concerns in the time of hay-harvest, found a body of the mowers asleep, when they should have been at work. What is this? cried the youth; why, me, you are so indolent, that I would give a crown to know which ... George Ii And The Recorder
WHEN that vacancy happened on the Exchequer Bench which was afterwards filled by Mr. Adams, the Ministry could not agree among themselves whom to appoint. It was debated in Council, the King, George II., being present; till, the dispute growing very... George Selwyn
THIS gentleman, travelling in a stage-coach, was interrupted by the frequent impertinence of a companion, who was constantly teazing him with questions and asking him how he did. How are you now, sir? said the impertinent. George, in order to get ri... Getting A Living
THE late Duke of Grafton, when hunting, was thrown into a ditch; at the same time a young curate, calling out Lie still, your Grace; leaped over him, and pursued his sport. On being assisted to remount by his attendants, the duke said, That young ma... Getting The Worst Of It
PORSON was once disputing with an acquaintance, who, getting the worst of it, said, Professor, my opinion of you is most contemptible.--Sir, returned the great Grecian, I never knew an opinion of yours that was not contemptible. ... Gluttons And Epicures
STEPHEN KEMBLE (who was very fat) and Mrs. Esten, were crossing the Frith, when a gale sprang up, which alarmed the passengers. Suppose, Mr. Kemble, said Mrs. Esten; suppose we become food for fishes, which of us two do you think they will eat first... Going From The Point
CURRAN, in describing a speech made by Sergeant Hewitt, said: My learned friend's speech put me exactly in mind of a familiar utensil in domestic use, commonly called an extinguisher. It began at a point, and on it went widening and widening, until ... Going To Extremes
WHEN ladies wore their dresses very low and very short, a wit observed that they began too late and ended too soon. ... Gone Out
A PERSON calling one day on a gentleman at the west end of the town, where his visits were more frequent than welcome, was told by the servant that her master had gone out. O, well, never mind, I'll speak to your mistress.--She's also gone out, sir.... Good Advice
LADY ---- spoke to the butler to be saving of an excellent cask of small beer, and asked him how it might be best preserved. I know no method so effectual, my lady, replied the butler, as placing a barrel of good ale by it. ... Good Advice
A YOUNG man (placed by his friends as a student at a veterinary college) being in company with some of his colleagues, was asked, If a broken-winded horse were brought to him for cure, what he would advise? After considering for a moment, Advise, sa... Good Advice
NEVER confide in a young man,--new pails leak. Never tell your secret to the aged,--old doors seldom shut closely. ... Good Advice
A PHILOSOPHER being asked of whom he had acquired so much knowledge, replied, Of the blind, who do not lift their feet until they have first sounded, with their stick, the ground on which they are going to tread. ... Good At A Pinch
A SEVERE snow-storm in the Highlands, which lasted for several weeks, having stopped all communication betwixt neighboring hamlets, snuff-takers were reduced to their last pinch. Borrowing and begging from all the neighbors within reach were resorte... Good At The Halt
PETER MACNALLY, an Irish attorney, was very lame, and, when walking, had an unfortunate limp, which he could not bear to be told of. At the time of the Rebellion he was seized with a military ardor, and when the different volunteer corps were formin... Good Authority
HORNE TOOKE, during his contest for Westminster, was thus addressed by a partisan of his opponent, of not a very reputable character. Well, Mr. Tooke, you will have all the blackguards with you to-day.--I am delighted to hear it, sir, and from such ...