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 them that a Mr. ---- had declined
to perform his part. The gentleman was highly indignant at the a,
and had a great inclination to pick a quarrel with Scrope Davies, who
replied that he supposed Mr. ---- wanted to be called the Mr.
So-and-so. He ever afterwards went by the name of the Definite
Article.
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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... A Grave Doctor
COUNSELLOR CRIPS being on a party at Castle-Martyr, one of the company, a physician, strolled out before dinner into the churchyard. Dinner being served, and the doctor not returned, some one expressed his surprise where he could be gone to. Oh, say... A Great Difference
THE friends and opponents of the Bill, said a'Beckett, are divided into two very distinct classes,--the a-bility and the no-bility. ... A Gretna Customer
A RUNAWAY couple were married at Gretna Green. The smith demanded five guineas for his services. How is this? said the bridegroom, the gentleman you last married assured me that he only gave you a guinea.--True, said the smith, but he was an Irishma... A Grim Joke
DANIEL DEFOE said there was only this difference between the fates of Charles the First and his son James the Second,--that the former's was a wet martyrdom, and the other's a dry one. ... A Growl
HE that's married once may be Pardoned his infirmity. He that marries twice is mad: But, if you can find a fool Marrying thrice, don't spare the lad,-- Flog him, flog him back to school. ... A Grunt
DOCTOR, when we have sat together some time, you'll find my brother very entertaining.--Sir, said Johnson, I can wait. ... A Guide To Government Situations
DR. HENNIKER, being engaged in private conversation with the great Earl of Chatham, his lordship asked him how he defined wit. My lord, said the doctor, wit is like what a pension would be, given by your lordship to your humble servant, a good thing... A Handsome Contribution
A GENTLEMAN waited upon Jerrold one morning to enlist his sympathies in behalf of a mutual friend, who was constantly in want of a round sum of money. Well, said Jerrold, who had contributed on former occasions, how much does ---- want this time?... A Happy Man
LORD M---- had a very exalted opinion of his own cleverness, and once made the following pointed remark: When I happen to say a foolish thing, I always burst out a laughing!--I envy you your happiness, my lord, then, said Charles Townshend, for you ... A Happy Suggestion
WHEN Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, gave a concert to the Consumption Hospital, the proceeds of which concert amounted to 1,776l. 15s., and were to be devoted to the completion of the building, Jerrold suggested that the new part of the hospit... A Hard Hit
MAJOR B----, a great gambler, said to Foote, Since I last saw you, I have lost an eye.--I am sorry for it, said Foote, pray at what game? ... A Heavy Weight
MR. DOUGLAS, son of the Bishop of Salisbury, was six feet two inches in height, and of enormous bulk. The little boys of Oxford always gathered about him when he went into the streets, to look up at his towering bulk. Get out of my way, you little s... A Hiatus
DID you not on going down find a party in your kitchen? asked an underbred barrister of a witness. A tea-party, Mr. ----? mildly interposed Judge Maule. ... A Hint For Genealogists
MR. MOORE, who derived his pedigree from Noah, explained it in this manner: Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and one more. ... A Home Argument
BY one decisive argument Tom gained his lovely Kate's consent, To fix the bridal day. Why in such haste, dear Tom, to wed? I shall not change my mind, she said. But then, says he, I may. ...