Two different ways of telling a story.
Anecdote. A CLERGYMAN, who in the Matrimonial Lottery had drawn much worſe than a blank, and, without the patience of Socrates, had to encounter the turbulent ſpirit of Xantippe, was interrupted in the middle of a Curtain Lecture, by the arrival of a pair, requeſting his aſſiſtance to introduce them to the bleſſed ſtate of Wedlock. The poor Prieſt, actuated at the moment by his own feelings and particular experience, rather than a ſenſe of canonical duty, opened the book, and began: "Man, that is born of a Woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of trouble, &c., &c.," repeating the burial ſervice. The aſtoniſhed Bridegroom exclaimed, "Sir! Sir! you miſtake, I came here to be married, not buried!" "Well (replied the Clergyman), if you inſiſt on it, I am obliged to marry you—but believe me, my friend, you had better be buried."
Columbian Centinel, March 12, 1791.
Anecdote. It is doubtless recollected that Dean Swift, though a great favorite among the ladies, was (no doubt for good and substantial reasons) nevertheless a bachelor. His opinion of the married state seemed to be not very much exalted. On one occasion, he had been called upon to marry a couple, and after getting them properly arranged, commenced as follows: "Man, that is born of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery," &c. "My dear sir," interrupted the bridegroom, "you are reading the burial service, instead of the matrimonial." "Never mind, friend," whispered the Dean, "you had better be buried than married."
Salem Observer, 1834.
AN OPPOSITION.
Dryden and Otway lived oppoſite to each other in Queen-ſtreet. Otway coming one night from the tavern, chalked upon Dryden's door, Here lives John Dryden, he is a wit. Dryden knew his hand writing, and next day chalked on Otway's door, Here lives Tom Otway, he is oppo-ſite.