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.