His father in old age got married a second time, and George was asked why his stepmother was like Dr. Newman.
The answer was because she had embraced the ancient Faith.
Among old time Irish members, Joe Ronayne, M.P. for Cork, was among the most diverting.
He was a railway contractor, and much wanted some additional ground at the terminus of the line, which the proprietor, Lord Ventry, would not sell.
The size of the coveted patch was only seven feet long by three broad. Mr. Ronayne grimly retorted:—
'That's very strange, for it is exactly the amount of ground I'd like to give him,' i.e. for his grave.
Another experience of Ronayne's was to the following tune.
He had obtained advances from a local bank for his railway contract to the satisfaction of both parties, and when asked by the manager for some wrinkles about the making of a railway, replied:—
'The best thing is to run it into a soft bank.'
He was a plucky chap as well as a witty one, for owing to some internal malady, from which he died, he had to have his leg amputated, at the same time resigning his seat for Cork.