Shortly after the introduction of the New Weights and Measures, an innkeeper in a market-town, not far from Sudbury, in Suffolk, sent his ostler to a customer with a quantity of liquor, which he delivered with the following words:—"Marstur bid me tell ye Sar, as how 'tis the New Infarnal Measure."
A farmer calling upon his landlord to pay his rent, apologized for being late, by saying that his illness prevented his attending earlier, and he did not know what his disorder was. The gentleman told him it was "Influenza." Returning home he was met by the schoolmaster of the village, who inquired after his health, "I am very poorly," replied the farmer, "my landlord tells me my complaint is Humphry Windsor."
A witness on a trial being interrogated by Judge Willis, in a manner not pleasing to him, turned to an acquaintance, and told him in a half whisper, "he did not come there to be queered by the old one." Willis heard him, and instantly replied, in his own cant, "I am old 'tis true—and I'm rum sometimes—and for once I'll be queer—and I send you to quod."
H.B.A.
An exciseman whose remarks and answers were frequently rather odd, riding at a quick pace upon a blind pony, was met by a person who praised the animal much, "Yes," replied the officer, "he is a very good one, only he shies at every thing he sees."