d a note
of interrogation to make the whole intelligible: which was really the
case. "And pray, master," says Pope, with a sneer, "what is a _note of
interrogation_?"--"A note of interrogation," replied the young fellow,
with a look of great contempt, "is a little _crooked thing_ that asks
questions."
CDXCVII.--THE REPUBLIC OF LEARNING.
ONE asked another why learning was always called a republic. "Forsooth,"
quoth the other, "because scholars are _so poor_ that they have _not a
sovereign_ amongst them."
CDXCVIII.--CHALLENGING A JURY.
AN Irish fire-eater, previous to a trial in which he was the defendant,
was informed by his counsel, that if there were any of the jury to whom
he objected, he might legally _challenge_ them. "Faith, and so I will,"
replied he; "if they do not acquit me I will _challenge_ every man of
them."
CDXCIX.--WALPOLIANA.
WHEN Mr. Naylor's father married his second wife, Naylor said, "Father,
they say you are to be married to-day; are you?"--"Well," replied the
Bishop, "and what is that to you?"--"Nay, nothing; only if you had told
me, I would have _powdered_ my hair."
A tutor at Cambridge had been examining some lads in Latin; but in a
little while excused himself, and said he must speak English, for his
mouth was _very sore_.
After going out of the Commons, and fighting a duel with Mr. Chetwynd,
whom he wounded, "my uncle" (says Walpole) "returned to the House, and
was so little moved as to speak immediately upon the _cambric bill_;"
which made Swinny say, that "it was a sign he was not _ruffled_."
D.--MINDING HIS BUSINESS.
MURPHY was asked how it was so difficult to waken him in the morning:
"Indeed, master, it's because of taking your own advice, always to
attind to what I'm about; so whenever I _sleeps_, I pays _attintion_ to
it."
DI.--PENCE TABLE.
A SCHOOLBOY going into the village without leave, his master called
after him, "Where are you going, sir?"--"I am going to buy a ha'porth of
nails."--"What do you want a ha'porth of nails for?"--"For a
_halfpenny_," replied the urchin.
DII.--SATISFACTION.
LORD WILLIAM POULAT was said to be the author of a pamphlet called "The
Snake in the Grass." A gentleman abused in it sent him a challenge. Lord
William protested his innocence, but the gentleman insisted upon a
denial under his own hand. Lord William took a pen and began: "This is
to scratify that the buk c
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