CXXXIII—EASY AS LYING.
Erskine, examining a bumptious fellow, asked him, if he were not a rider? "I'm a traveller, sir," replied the witness, with an air of offended importance. "Indeed, sir. And, pray, are you addicted to the failing usually attributed to travellers?"
CXXXIV.—NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS.
A prisoner in The Fleet sent to his creditor to let him know that he had a proposal to make, which he believed would be for their mutual benefit. Accordingly, the creditor calling on him to hear it: "I have been thinking," said he, "that it is a very idle thing for me to lie here, and put you to the expense of seven groats a week. My being so chargeable to you has given me great uneasiness, and who knows what it may cost you in the end! Therefore, what I propose is this: You shall let me out of prison, and, instead of seven groats, you shall allow me only eighteenpence a week, and the other tenpence shall go towards the discharging of the debt."
CXXXV.—EPIGRAM.
(On the column to the Duke of York's memory.)
In former times the illustrious dead were burned,
Their hearts preserved in sepulchre inurned;
This column, then, commemorates the part
Which custom makes us single out—the heart;
You ask, "How by a column this is done?"
I answer, "'Tis a hollow thing of stone."
CXXXVI.—FLATTERY TURNED TO ADVANTAGE.
A dependant was praising his patron for many virtues which he did not possess. "I will do all in my power to prevent you lying," answered he.