with business bore; but to a man living
in the country,--it is equal to a _day's fishing_."

CDIX.--PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED.

DR. PARR had a high opinion of his own skill at whist, and could not
even patiently tolerate the want of it in his partner. Being engaged
with a party in which he was unequally matched, he was asked by a lady
how the fortune of the game turned, when he replied, "Pretty well,
madam, considering that I have _three_ adversaries."

CDX.--EPIGRAM.

(On the depth of Lord ---- arguments.)

YES, in debate we must admit,
His argument is quite profound;
His reasoning's _deep_, for _deuce a bit_
Can anybody _see the ground_.

CDXI.--A SEASONABLE JOKE.

THEODORE HOOK, being in company, where he said something humorous in
rhyme to every person present, on Mr. Winter, the late Solicitor of
Taxes, being announced, made the following impromptu:--

Here comes Mr. Winter, collector of taxes,
I advise you to give him whatever he axes;
I advise you to give it without any flummery,
For though his name's _Winter_, his actions are _summary_.

CDXII.--EPIGRAM.

(On the immortality of ----'s speeches.)

THY speeches are immortal, O my friend,
For he that hears them--hears them to _no end_.

CDXIII.--A CONSIDERATE SON.

A WITCH, being at the stake to be burnt, saw her son there, and desired
him to give her some drink. "No, mother," said he, "it would do you
wrong, for the _drier_ you are, the better you will burn."

CDXIV.--DANGEROUSLY WELL.

LORD BYRON, in reference to a lady he thought ill of, writes, "Lady ----
has been dangerously ill; but it may console you to learn that she is
_dangerously well_ again."

CDXV.--EPIGRAM.

(On Lord E--nb----h's pericranium.)

LET none because of its abundant _locks_,
Deceive themselves by thinking for a minute,
That dandy E--nb----h's "knowledge-box"
Has anything worth larceny within it.

CDXVI.--A NEW SCHOLAR.

A CALIFORNIAN gold digger having become rich, desired a friend to
procure for him a library of books. The friend obeyed, and received a
letter of thanks thus worded: "I am obliged to you for the pains of your
selection. I particularly admire a grand religious poem about Paradise,
by a Mr. Milton, and a set of plays (quite delightful) by a Mr.
Shakespeare. _If these gentlemen should write and publish anything more