ling some time about his piece to
Sheridan, said, "Sir, I fear I have been intruding on your
attention."--"Not at all, I assure you," replied he, "I was thinking of
_something else_."

MCDXCI.--EXPERIMENTUM CRUCIS.

A MERCHANT being asked to define the meaning of _experimental_ and
_natural_ philosophy, said he considered the _first_ to be asking a man
to discount a bill at a long date, and the _second_ his refusing to do
it.

MCDXCII.--NOT AT ALL ANXIOUS.

A MAN very deeply in debt, being reprimanded by his friends for his
disgraceful situation, and the _anxiety_ of a debtor being urged by them
in very strong expressions: "Ah!" said he, "that may be the case with a
person who _thinks_ of paying."

MCDXCIII.--ODD HUMOR.

WHEN Lord Holland was on his death-bed, his friend George Selwyn called
to inquire how his Lordship was, and left his card. This was taken to
Lord Holland, who said: "If Mr. Selwyn calls again, show him into my
room. If I am _alive_, I shall be glad to see him; if I am _dead_, I am
sure that he will be delighted to see me."

MCDXCIV.--A TICKLISH OPENING.

HENRY ERSKINE happening to be retained for a client of the name of
Tickle, began his speech in opening the case, thus: "Tickle, my client,
the defendant, my lord,"--and upon proceeding so far was interrupted by
laughter in court, which was increased when the judge (Lord Kaimes)
exclaimed, "_Tickle him yourself_, Harry; you are as able to do so as I
am."

MCDXCV.--THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS.

HOOD suggests that the phrase "_republic_ of letters" was hit upon to
insinuate that, taking the whole lot of authors together, they had not
got a _sovereign_ amongst them.

MCDXCVI.--AN OFFENSIVE PREFERENCE.

A PERSON meeting with an acquaintance after a long absence, told him
that he was surprised to see him, for he had heard that he was dead.
"But," says the other, "you find the report false."--"'Tis hard to
determine," he replied, "for the man that told me was one whose word I
would _sooner take than yours_."

MCDXCVII.--SELF-CONDEMNATION.

A COUNTRY gentleman, walking in his garden, saw his gardener asleep in
an arbor. "What!" says the master, "asleep, you idle dog, you are not
worthy that the sun should shine on you."--"I am truly sensible of my
unworthiness," answered the man, "and therefore I laid myself down in
the _shade_."

MCDXCVIII.--AN ILLEGAL INDORSEMENT