CDLXXXII.—THE WILL.
Jerry dying intestate, his relatives claimed,
Whilst his widow most vilely his mem'ry defam'd:
"What!" cries she, "must I suffer because the old knave
Without leaving a will, is laid snug in the grave?"
"That's no wonder," says one, "for 'tis very well known,
Since he married, poor man, he'd no will of his own."
CDLXXXIII.—INGENUOUSNESS.
Two young officers, after a mess-dinner, had very much ridiculed their general. He sent for them, and asked them if what was reported to him was true. "General," said one of them, "it is; and we should have said much more if our wine had not failed."
CDLXXXIV.—A NEW SPORT.
Quin thought angling a very barbarous diversion; and on being asked why, gave this reason: "Suppose some superior being should bait a hook with venison, and go a-Quinning, I should certainly bite; and what a sight should I be dangling in the air!"
CDLXXXV.—SYDNEY SMITH.
Sydney Smith was once dining in company with a French gentleman, who had been before dinner indulging in a number of free-thinking speculations, and had ended by avowing himself a materialist. "Very good soup, this," said Mr. Smith. "Oui, monsieur, c'est excellente," was the reply. "Pray, sir, do you believe in a cook?" inquired Mr. Smith.
CDLXXXVI.—EPIGRAM ON THE DUKE OF ——'S CONSISTENCY.
That he's ne'er known to change his mind,
Is surely nothing strange;
For no one yet could ever find
He'd any mind to change.