"True," said
a native, "but if the quality of it be rather _infairior_, we give _good
measure_ of it, anyhow."

DCCLVII--BAD COMPANY.

AT the time that the bubble schemes were _flourishing_, in 1825, Mr.
Abernethy met some friends who had risked large sums of money in one of
those fraudulent speculations; they informed him that they were going to
partake of a most sumptuous dinner, the expenses of which would be
defrayed by the company. "If I am not very much deceived," replied he,
"you will have nothing but _bubble and squeak_ in a short time."

DCCLVIII.--EPIGRAM.

(On the King's double dealing.)

OF such a paradox as this,
Before I never dreamt;
The King of England has become,
A _subject_ of contempt!!!

DCCLIX.--PAINTING.

A GENTLEMAN seeing a fine painting representing a man playing on the
lute, paid this high compliment to the artist. "When I look on that
painting I think myself _deaf_."

DCCLX.--NIL NISI, ETC.

A GENTLEMAN calling for beer at another gentleman's table, finding it
very bad, declined drinking it. "What!" said the master of the house,
"don't you like the beer?"--"It is not to be found fault with," answered
the other; "for one should never speak ill of the _dead_."

DCCLXI.--ODD FORESIGHT.

LADY MARGARET HERBERT asked somebody for a _pretty_ pattern for a
nightcap. "Well," said the person, "what signifies the pattern of a
nightcap?"--"O! child," said she, "you know, in _case of fire_!"

DCCLXII.--"THEREBY HANGS," ETC.

A CERTAIN Irish judge, called the Hanging Judge, and who had never been
known to shed a tear except when _Macheath_, in the "Beggar's Opera,"
got his reprieve, once said to Curran, "Pray, Mr. Curran, is that hung
beef beside you? If it is, I will try it."--"If you try it, my lord,"
replied Curran, "it's sure _to be hung_."

DCCLXIII.--GENERAL WOLFE.

GENERAL WOLFE invited a Scotch officer to dine with him; the same day he
was also invited by some brother officers. "You must excuse me," said he
to them; "I am already engaged to Wolfe." A smart young ensign observed,
he might as well have expressed himself with more respect, and said
_General_ Wolfe. "Sir," said the Scotch officer, with great promptitude,
"we never say _General_ Alexander, or _General_ Caesar." Wolfe, who was
within hearing, by a low bow to the Scotch officer, acknowledged the
pleasure he felt at the high complimen