Doctor Drew was by no means deficient in dry and sarcastic humour; and many anecdotes may be still found savoury in the college-courts and dinner-hall of this quondam queer-fellow of old alma mater; however we will trespass on the reader's attention only with one anecdote:—
Doctor Dismal Drew passing one morning through the college courts, from the library to his chambers, happened to meet a young student who had been only a few days matriculated, and such are, in popular parlance in the university, called jibs; the young student had the ill-fortune to pass this learned Leviathan, without the usual salutation of doffing his four-cornered cap to his mighty superior:—"Halloo," roared the Doctor, "come back; hark ye, I say, young master, pray how long, young gentleman, allow me to ask, have you worn the academic gown?"
"Just eight days, may it so please your Reverence."
"Ay, ay; in sooth, young master, I thought as much, for we all know that puppies cannot make use of their eyes until they are nine days old!"
When Doctor Dismal Drew had with-drawn from the dinner-room, Lord Glandarah addressed the Duke of Tyrconnel in an under tone: "Gad save me, my Lord Duke, mais cette est un homme austere, outré, et tres singulier; et, par tout, un bête horriblé."
"Adonis, you recollect, my Lord, was killed by a boar!"
"Excellent, O Duke! and I too should be killed by—the Doctor's company!—non, pardonnez moi presence, I should say; he be no company! en verité two entire days would despatch me. He is assuremént Polyphemus le second, mais avec cette dissemblance par tout que le monstre il eut un œil bel excellent, pendant que, le Docteur ave sans doubté deux diaboleúx bad eyes!"
"Oh, unquestionably, my Lord! but then he has an intellectual one; and we must give due credit to Sir James Caldwell for the attention and kindness which he dispenses to his quondam tutor. It is kind, considerate, grateful, and honourable, to his feelings."