MCDLXVI.—EPIGRAM.
(On ——'s Veracity.)
He boasts about the truth I've heard,
And vows he'd never break it;
Why, zounds, a man must keep his word
When nobody will take it.
MCDLXVII.—AN UNTAXED LUXURY.
A lady having remarked in company that she thought there should be a tax on "the single state"; "Yes, madam," rejoined an obstinate old bachelor, "as on all other luxuries."
MCDLXVIII.—A DEAR SPEAKER.
Soon after the Irish members were admitted into the House of Commons, on the union of the kingdom in 1801, one of them, in the middle of his maiden speech, thus addressed the chair: "And now, my dear Mr. Speaker," etc. This excited loud laughter. As soon as the mirth had subsided, Mr. Sheridan observed, "that the honorable member was perfectly in order; for, thanks to the ministers, now-a-days everything is dear."
MCDLXIX.—ABSURDLY LOGICAL.
A mad Quaker (wrote Sydney Smith) belongs to a small and rich sect; and is, therefore, of greater importance than any other mad person of the same degree in life.