Henry Erskine
MR. HENRY ERSKINE (brother of Lord Buchan and Lord Erskine), after being
presented to Dr. Johnson by Mr. Boswell, and having made his bow,
slipped a shilling into Boswell's hand, whispering that it was for the
sight of his bear.
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Graceful Excuse
WILLIAM IV. seemed in a momentary dilemma one day, when, at table with several officers, he ordered one of the waiters to take away that marine there, pointing to an empty bottle. Your majesty! inquired a colonel of marines, do you compare an empty ... Grafting
VERY dry and pithy too was a legal opinion given to a claimant of the Annandale peerage, who, when pressing the employment of some obvious forgeries, was warned, that if he persevered, nae doot he might be a peer, but it would be a peer o' anither t... Grandiloquence
A BOASTING fellow was asked, Pray, sir, what may your business be?--O, replied the boaster, I am but a cork-cutter: but then it is in a very large way!--Indeed! replied the other; then I presume you are a cutter of bungs? ... Great Cabbage
A FOREIGNER asked an English tailor how much cloth was necessary for a suit of clothes. He replied, twelve yards. Astonished at the quantity, he went to another, who said seven would be quite sufficient. Not thinking of the exorbitancy even of this ... Habeas Corpus Act
BISHOP BURNET relates a curious circumstance respecting the origin of that important statute, the Habeas Corpus Act. It was carried, says he, by an odd artifice in the House of Lords. Lord Grey and Lord Norris were named to be the tellers. Lord Norr... Half-way
A HORSEMAN crossing a moor, asked a countryman, if it was safe riding. Ay, answered the countryman, it is hard enough at the bottom, I'll warrant you; but in half-a-dozen steps the horse sunk up to the girths. You story-telling rascal, you said it w... Hand And Glove
A DYER, in a court of justice, being ordered to hold up his hand, that was all black; Take off your glove, friend, said the judge to him. Put on your spectacles, my lord, answered the dyer. ... Happiness
HAPPINESS grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens. ... Hard Of Digestion
QUIN had been dining, and his host expressed his regret that he could offer no more wine, as he had lost the key of his wine-cellar. While the coffee was getting ready the host showed his guest some natural curiosities, and among the rest an ostrich... Hard-ware
A FEW years ago, when Handel's L'Allegro and Il Penseroso were performed at Birmingham, the passage most admired was,-- Such notes, as warbled to the string, Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek. The great manufacturers and mechanics of t... Having A Call
MR. DUNLOP, while making his pastoral visitations among some of the country members of his flock, came to a farm-house where he was expected; and the mistress, thinking that he would be in need of refreshment, proposed that he should take his tea be... He Lies Like Truth
A PERSON who had resided for some time on the coast of Africa was asked if he thought it possible to civilize the natives. As a proof of the possibility of it, said he, I have known some negroes that thought as little of a lie or an oath as any Euro... He Who Sung The Lays Of Ancient Rome
LORD MACAULAY, passing one day through the Seven Dials, bought a handful of ballads from some street-folks who were bawling out their contents to a gaping audience. Proceeding on his way home, he was astonished to find himself followed by half a sco... Henry Erskine
MR. HENRY ERSKINE (brother of Lord Buchan and Lord Erskine), after being presented to Dr. Johnson by Mr. Boswell, and having made his bow, slipped a shilling into Boswell's hand, whispering that it was for the sight of his bear. ... Henry Erskine
THE late Hon. Henry Erskine met his acquaintance Jemmy Ba--four, a barrister, who dealt in hard words and circumlocutious sentences. Perceiving that his ankle was tied up with a silk handkerchief, the former asked the cause. Why, my dear sir, answer... Henry Viii
THIS monarch, after the death of Jane Seymour, had some difficulty to get another wife. His first offer was to the Duchess Dowager of Milan; but her answer was, She had but one head; if she had two, one should have been at his service. ... Hero-phobia
WHEN George II. was once expressing his admiration of General Wolfe, some one observed that the General was mad. Oh! he is mad, is he! said the king, with great quickness, then I wish he would bite some other of my generals. ... Hesitation In His Writing
AN old woman received a letter, and, supposing it to be from one of her absent sons, she called on a person near to read it to her. He accordingly began and read, Charleston, June 23, 1859. Dear mother, then making a stop to find out what followed (... Hic-cupping
A GENTLEMAN, at whose house Swift was dining in Ireland, after dinner introduced remarkably small hock-glasses, and at length turning to Swift addressed him: Mr. Dean, I shall be happy to take a glass of hic, haec, hoc, with you.--Sir, rejoined the ... High And Low
I EXPECT six clergymen to dine with me on such a day, said a gentleman to his butler. Very good, sir, said the butler. Are they High Church or Low Church, sir?--What on earth can that signify to you? asked the astonished master. Every thing, sir, wa... High Gaming
BARON N., once playing at cards, was guilty of an odd trick; on which his opponent threw him out of the window of a one-pair-of-stairs room. The baron meeting Foote complained of this usage, and asked what he should do? Do, says the wit, never play ... Highland Politeness
SIR WALTER SCOTT had marked in his diary a territorial greeting of two proprietors which had amused him much. The laird of Kilspindie had met the laird of Tannachy-Tulloch, and the following compliments passed between them: Ye're maist obedient humm... Hinc Ille Lachrymae
THE mortality among Byron's mistresses, said the late Lady A----ll, is really alarming. I think he generally buries, in verse, a first love every fortnight.--Madam, replied Curran, mistresses are not so mortal. The fact is, my lord weeps for the pre... His Wayout
SIR RICHARD JEBB, the famous physician, who was very rough and harsh in his manner, once observed to a patient to whom he had been extremely rude, Sir, it is my way.--Then, returned his indignant patient, pointing to the door, I beg you will make th... Hoaxing An Audience
COOKE was announced one evening to play the Stranger at the Dublin Theatre. When he made his appearance, evident marks of agitation were visible in his countenance and gestures: this, by the generality of the audience, was called fine acting; but th... Holland's Funeral
HOLLAND, who was a great favorite with Foote, died. While the funeral ceremony was performing, G. Garrick remarked to Foote: You see what a snug family vault we have made here.--Family vault! said Foote, with tears trickling down his cheeks, I thoug...