THE pious and learned martyr, and Bishop of Worcester, who was educated at Christ College, Cambridge, and was one of the first reformers of the Church of England, at a controversia...
A POOR woman, who had attended several confirmations, was at length recognized by the bishop. Pray, have I not seen you here before? said his lordship. Yes, replied the woman, I ge...
THE following playful colloquy in verse took place at a dinner-table between Sir George Rose and James Smith, in allusion to Craven Street, Strand, where he resided:-- J.S.--At the...
A GENTLEMAN, who was remarkable at once for Bacchanalian devotion and remarkably large and starting eyes, was one evening the subject of conversation. The question appeared to be,...
THERE was much sound palpable argument in the speech of a country lad to an idler, who boasted his ancient family: So much the worse for you, said the peasant; as we ploughmen say,...
THAT erudite Cantab, Bishop Burnett, preaching before Charles II., being much warmed with his subject, uttered some religious truth with great vehemence, and at the same time, stri...
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE was so bad a horseman, that when mounted he generally attracted unfavorable notice. On a certain occasion he was riding along a turnpike road, in the county...
IN making love let poor men sigh, But love that's ready-made is better For men of business;--so I, If madam will be cruel, let her. But should she wish that I should wait And miss...
CURRAN, after a debate which gave rise to high words, put his hand to his heart, and declared that he was the trusty guardian of his own honor. Upon which Sir Boyle Roche congratul...
BEWARE of falling in love with a pair of moustaches, till you have ascertained whether their wearer is the original proprietor.
'TIS said that walls have ears; if this be true, St Stephen's walls the gift must often rue.
THE folly of betting is well satirized in one of Walpole's Letters: Sept. 1st, 1750,--They have put in the papers a good story made at White's. A man dropped down dead at the door,...
A PROSY old gentleman meeting Jerrold, related a long, limp account of a stupid practical joke, concluding with the information that he really thought he should have died with laug...
SIR CHARLES WAGER always said, that if a sea-fight lasted three days, he was sure the English suffered the most for the two first, for no other nation would stand beating for two d...
GEORGE COLMAN being once told that a man whose character was not very immaculate had grossly abused him, pointedly remarked, that the scandal and ill report of some persons that mi...
A GENTLEMAN of Trinity College, travelling through France, was annoyed at the slowness of the pace, and wishing to urge the postilion to greater speed, tried his bad French until h...
QUIN had been dining, and his host expressed his regret that he could offer no more wine, as he had lost the key of his wine-cellar. While the coffee was getting ready the host sho...
ONCE a gentleman, who had the marvellous gift of shaping a great many things out of orange-peel, was displaying his abilities at a dinner-party before Theodore Hook and Mr. Thomas...
SYDNEY SMITH being ill, his physician advised him to take a walk upon an empty stomach.--Upon whose? said he.
DR. HICKRINGAL, who was one of King Charles the Second's chaplains, whenever he preached before his Majesty, was sure to tell him of his faults from the pulpit. One day his Majesty...
Cracked China mended! Zounds, man, off this minute! There's work for you, or else the deuce is in it!
WHEN some one was expatiating on the merits of the French language to Mr. Canning, he exclaimed: Why, what on earth, sir, can be expected of a language which has but one word for l...
NEVER confide in a young man,--new pails leak. Never tell your secret to the aged,--old doors seldom shut closely.
DON'T give your mind to lying. A lie may do very well for a time, but,
ONE night Erskine was hastening out of the House of Commons, when he was stopped by a member going in, who accosted him, Who's up, Erskine?--Windham, was the reply. What's he on?--...
IN preaching a charity sermon, Sydney Smith frequently repeated the assertion that, of all nations, Englishmen were most distinguished for their generosity, and the love of their s...
AN Irish counsel being asked by the judge for whom was he concerned, replied, I am concerned for the plaintiff, but I'm retained by the defendant.
FRANKLIN, when ambassador to France, being at a meeting of a literary society, and not well understanding the French when declaimed, determined to applaud when he saw a lady of his...