Curiously enough quite recently a man in whose chambers I was breakfasting, pointed out to me what he called a good story that had appeared in a paper on the previous evening.
The paragraph in which it was included was as follows:—
“A rather amusing story is told by the Avilion Gazettes Special Commissioner in his latest article on ‘Ireland as it is and as it would be.’ It is to the effect that some of the Irish members recently wished to cross the Channel for half-a-crown each, and to that end called on a boat agent, a Tory, who knew them, when the following conversation took place:—
“‘Can we go across for half-a-crown each?’
“‘No, ye can’t, thin.’
“‘An’ why not?’
“‘Because’tis a cattle boat.’
“‘Nevermind that, sure we’re not particular.’
“‘No, but the cattle are.’”
That was the entire paragraph..