A RANDOM CONVERSATION
ON OLD MAXIMS, BOSTON AND OTHER TOWNS.
(From “The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table.”)
IN has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.
I think Sir,—said the divinity student,—you must intend that for one of the sayings of the Seven Wise men of Boston you were speaking of the other day.
I thank you, my young friend,—was the reply,—but I must say something better than that, before I could pretend to fill out the number.
The schoolmistress wanted to know how many of these sayings there were on record, and what, and by whom said.
Why, let us see,—there is that one of Benjamin Franklin, “the great Bostonian,” after whom this land was named. To be sure, he said a great many wise things,—and I don’t feel sure he didn’t borrow this,—he speaks as if it were old. But then he applied it so neatly!—