A Good Reason
A RICH peer resolved to make his will; and having remembered all his
domestics except his steward, the omission was respectfully pointed out
to him by the lawyer. I shall leave him nothing, said the nobleman,
because he has served me these twenty years.
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A Good Critic
A FRIEND of an artist was endeavoring to persuade him not to bestow so much time upon his works. You do not know, then, said he, that I have a master very difficult to please?--Who?--Myself. ... A Good Example
IN the House of Commons, the grand characteristic of the office of the Speaker is silence; and he fills the place best who best holds his tongue. There are other speakers in the House (not official) who would show their sagacity by following the exa... A Good Excuse
AN attorney on being called to account for having acted unprofessionally in taking less than the usual fees from his client, pleaded that he had taken all the man had. He was thereupon honorably acquitted. ... A Good Investment
AN English journal lately contained the following announcement: To be sold, one hundred and thirty lawsuits, the property of an attorney retiring from business. N.B. The clients are rich and obstinate. ... A Good Jail Delivery
BROTHER DAVID DEWAR was a plain, honest, straightforward man, who never hesitated to express his convictions, however unpalatable they might be to others. Being elected a member of the Prison Board, he was called upon to give his vote in the choice ... A Good Joke
A FIRE-EATING Irishman challenged a barrister, who gratified him by an acceptance. The duellist, being very lame, requested that he might have a prop. Suppose, said he, I lean against this milestone?--With pleasure, replied the lawyer, on condition ... A Good Judge
HONESTY is the best policy, said a Scotchman. I know it, my friend, for I have tried baith. ... A Good Likeness
A PERSON who had often teased another ineffectually for subscriptions to charitable undertakings, was one day telling him that he had just seen his picture. And did you ask it for a subscription? said the non-giver. No, I saw no chance, replied the ... A Good Mixture
AN eminent painter was once asked what he mixed his colors with in order to produce so extraordinary an effect. I mix them with brains, sir! was his answer. ... A Good Neighbor
THE Duke of L.'s reply, when it was observed to him, that the gentlemen bordering on his estates were continually hunting upon them, and that he ought not to suffer it, is worthy of imitation: I had much rather, said he, have friends than hares. ... A Good One
LAMB and Coleridge were talking together on the incidents of Coleridge's early life, when he was beginning his career in the church, and Coleridge was describing some of the facts in his usual tone, when he paused, and said, Pray, Mr. Lamb, did you ... A Good Parson
DR. HICKRINGAL, who was one of King Charles the Second's chaplains, whenever he preached before his Majesty, was sure to tell him of his faults from the pulpit. One day his Majesty met the doctor in the Mall, and said to him, Doctor, what have I don... A Good Place
A NOBLEMAN taking leave when going as ambassador, the king said to him, The principal instruction you require is, to observe a line of conduct exactly the reverse to that of your predecessor.--Sire, replied he, I will endeavor so to act that you sha... A Good Reason
A RICH peer resolved to make his will; and having remembered all his domestics except his steward, the omission was respectfully pointed out to him by the lawyer. I shall leave him nothing, said the nobleman, because he has served me these twenty ye... A Good Reason
A CERTAIN minister going to visit one of his sick parishioners, asked him how he had rested during the night. Oh, wondrous ill, sir, replied he, for mine eyes have not come together these three nights.--What is the reason of that? said the other. Al... A Good Reason
THAT'S a pretty bird, grandma, said a little boy. Yes, replied the old dame, and he never cries.--That's because he's never washed, rejoined the youngster. ... A Good Reason
A GENTLEMAN, talking with his gardener, expressed his admiration at the rapid growth of the trees. Why, yes, sir, says the man; please to consider that they have nothing else to do. ... A Good Reason For A Bad Cause
AN eminent counsellor asked another why he so often undertook bad causes. Sir, answered the lawyer, I have lost so many good ones, that I am quite at a loss which to take. ... A Good Recommendation
WHEN Captain Grose, who was very fat, first went over to Ireland, he one evening strolled into the principal meat market of Dublin, where the butchers, as usual, set up their usual cry of What d'ye buy? What d'ye buy? Grose parried this for some tim... A Good Servant
I CAN'T conceive, said one nobleman to another, how it is that you manage. Though your estate is less than mine, I could not afford to live at the rate you do.--My lord, said the other, I have a place.--A place? you amaze me, I never heard of it til... A Good Swimmer
A FOOLISH scholar having almost been drowned in his first attempt at swimming, vowed that he would never enter the water again until he was a complete master of the art. [A similar story is told of a pedant by Hierocles.] ... A Good Translation
PISTOR erat quondam, laborando qui fregit collum: Qui fregit collum, collum fregitque suum. Thus translated-- There was a baker heretofore, with labor and great pain: Did break his neck, and break his neck, and break his neck ag... A Good Wife
A VERY excellent lady was desired by another to teach her what secrets she had to preserve her husband's favor. It is, replied she, by doing all that pleases him, and by enduring patiently all that displeases me. ... A Good-hearted Fellow
IN a valedictory address an editor wrote: If we have offended any man in the short but brilliant course of our public career, let him send us a new hat, and we will then forget the past. A cool chap that! ... A Graceful Illustration
THE resemblance between the sandal tree, imparting (while it falls) its aromatic flavor to the edge of the axe, and the benevolent man rewarding evil with good, would be witty, did it not excite virtuous ... A Grammatical Distinction
SEVERAL young gentlemen once got up a play at Cambridge. On the day of representation one of the performers took it into his head to make an excuse, and his part was obliged to be read. Hobhouse came forward to apologize to the audience, and told th...