Puslapio vaizdai
PDF
„ePub“

answer, loud enough to be heard. Oh don't you know him? it is young bible, bound in calf and gilt but not lettered 1).

---

A certain poet and player, remarkable for his impudence and cowardice, happening many years ago to have a quarrel with Mr. Powel, another player, received from him a smart box on the ear. A few days after, the former having lost his snuff-box was making strict inquiry, if any body had seen his box. <<What! said another of the theatrical punsters, that, which George Powel gave you 2) some days ago?»

The late 3) Sir Fletcher Norton was in his character of counsellor rather 1) coarse; he once examined Mr. Alderman Shakespear as a witness, and in the course of his interrogation, said in a very rude way: And pray, what trade are you of 5) friend? A Ropemaker, at your service ), replied

the Alderman.

A dragoon was shot in Dublin for desertion and taking away his horse and accoutrements at the same time. When on his trial), an officer asked him what could induce him to take his horse away? He replied, he ran away with him. What, said the officer, did you do with the money you sold him ) for 9)? That, please your honour 10), said the fellow, with the utmost indifference, ran away too.

A tobacconist having made a fortune, set up 11) his carriage, but observed to a friend, that people would be laughing at him; «Well,» said the other, «inscribe on it by way of motto, Quid rides 12) ?» He did so, when a sailor who had bought of him many a quid 13), seeing him pass by in it, read the motto as two English words, Quid rides 14).

A country-man sowing his ground, two smart fellows riding that way, one of them called to him, with an insolent air: Well, honest fellow, said he, 'tis your business to sow, but we reap the fruits of your labour. To which the country-man replied. 'Tis very likely you may, truly, for I am sowing hemp 15).

A gentleman was complaining that some mischievous 16) person had cut off his horse's tail; «Well,» said his friend, «the horse is no worse.»> «No, not to me, but suppose I should wish to sell him?» <<<Why, then you must sell him by wholesale.» «By wholesale! how?»> «Because you cannot retail17) him.»>

--

When the late Chevalier Taylor was once enumerating the honours he had received from the different princes of Europe, and the orders with which he had been dignified by innumerable sovereigns, a gentleman present remarked, that he had not named the king of Prussia; and added, «I suppose, Sir, he never gave you any order 18).» You are mistaken, Sir,>> replied the Chevalier; he gave me «an order to quit his dominions."

--

1) Die Wortspiele sind hier von der Buchbinderarbeit entlehnt; lettered heißt: auf dem Rücken mit Buchstaben versehen, und gleichzeitig vom Menschen: wissenschaftlich gebildet. 2) Box heißt Dose und Ohrfeige. 3) Verewigt. 4) (126). 5) (157). 6) Der Wiz liegt in diesem: Ihnen zu dienen (mit einem Strick). 7) Verhör. 8) (245). 9) (157). 10) Euer Gnaden zu dienen. 11) Sich anschaffen. 12) Latein: warum lachst Du? 13) Priemche (Tabak). 14) Fährt. 15) Hanf, zu Stricken. Viele ältere englische Anekdoten haben das Hängen zum Stichblatt des Wizes. 16) Schadenfroh. 17) Retail und re-tail. 18) Befehl und Orden.

When Baron Newman w was once playing at cards, in a large company, he was guilty of an odd trick'); on which the company, in the warmth of their 2) resentment, threw him out of the window of a one pair of stairs room 3), where they had been playing. The Baron meeting Foote some time after, was loudly complaining of this usage, and asked what he should do. «Do!» says the wit; «why, it is a plain case! never play so high again as long as you live.»>

A gentleman, very moderate at home, was sure ), whenever he rode out, to return intoxicated. His lady one day remonstrating 5) with him on this bad habit, he answered, «My dear, it is only my riding habit 6).»

A tradesman finding his circumstances irretrievably involved put a period to his existence in the Canal in Hyde-Park. Two neighbours talking on the subject, the one asked, how he came to drown himself? The other answered; because he could not keep his head above water?).

One told another, who was not used to be clothed) very often, that his new coat was too short for him. That's true, answered his friend, but it will be long) enough before I get another.

A thief having stolen a cup out of a tavern, was pursued, and a great mob was raised around him. A by-stander was asked, what was the matNothing,» replied he; «but a poor fellow has only taken a cup too much 10).»

ter. ((

3. Bulls (Ungereimtheiten).

Lord St. John being in want of a servant, an Irishman applied for the place; among other questions, his Lordship asked: «What countryman are you?»> <«<An Englishman, please your Lordship.>> «Where was "') How then can you be an Englishman? » «My Lord, supposing I was born in a stable, that's no reason I should be called a horse.»>

you born?»>

<«<In Ireland, my Lord. >>

An Irish horse-dealer sold a mare, of sound wind and limb, and without fault. It afterwards appeared that the poor beast could not see at all out of one eye, and was almost blind of the other 12). The purchaser finding this, made heavy complaints to the dealer, and reminded him, that he engaged the mare to be 13) without fault. «To be sure,» returned the other, to be sure I did; but then, my dear, the poor crater's 14) blindness is not her 15) fault, but her misfortune.»

A parson preaching on the depravity of the age, said, that «Little children, who could neither speak nor walk, ran about the streets, blaspheming the Almighty!»

A foreigner arriving in London on the night of a general illumination during the American war, asked the reason of so many lights. An Irishman answered, «By Jasus, I believe it is to keep the people in the dark.<<<

1) Odd trick ein fälschlich gemachter Stich, muß hier unterschieden werden von dem gewöhnlichen Ausdruck odd trick, der 13te Trick, oder schlechthin: der Trick. 2) (246). 3) (141 und 78). 4) Was sure to war bekannt als einer der. Hier ist das sure nicht auf die Person zu beziehen, sondern eigentlich ist der Sinn it was sure that he returned. 5) (233). 6) Habit, Kleid und Gewohnheit. 7) To keep his head above water heißt im Gespräche: seine Schulden noch bezahlen können. 8) Neu fleiden. 9) Long, lang, auch lange. 10) Ein Glas zu viel getrunken, oder: mitgenommen. 11) (241). 12) (134). 13) (251). 14) Statt creature. 15) (246).

An Irishman, telling his friend, that, passing along the street, he saw a person on the other side, with whom he thought he was acquainted, said, «I crossed to see him, I thought I knew him, and he thought he knew me; but by Jasus, it was neither the one nor t'other of us. >>

Do not send for Dr. S... said Captain N..., for he once attended a young officer of our regiment, and upon my conscience, be stuffed the poor lad so unmercifully with potions and pills, that he continued sick a fortnight after he was quite well.

A very harmless Irishman, eating an apple-pye with some quinces in it: «Arrah now, dear honey, said he, if a few of these quinces give such a flavour, how would an apple-pye taste, made all of quinces.»>

An Irish Lawyer of the temple, having occasion to go to dinner, left the following directions in his keyhole. Gone to the Elephant and Castle, where you'll find me, and if you cannot read this, carry it to the stationer 1), and he will read it for you.

A gentleman who had been out a shooting 2), brought home a small bird with him, and having an Irish servant, he asked him, if he had shot that little bird? Yes, he told him. Arrah! by my shoul3), honey, replied the Irishman, it was not worth powder and shot; for this little thing would have died in the fall.

An Irishman once remarked in the house of Commons, that the French were the most restless nation in the universe, adding very pointedly 1), «<they will never be at peace till they are engaged in another war.»>

́One Irishman meeting another, asked, what was become of their old acquaintance Patrick Murphy? Arrah now, dear honey, answered the other, poor Patty was condemned to be hanged, but saved his life by dying in prison.

Two Irishmen having travelled on foot from Chester to Barnet, were confoundedly tired with their journey; and the more, when they were told they had still about ten miles to London. By my soul, and St. Patrick, cries one of them to the other; be of good chear; it is but five miles a piece); let's walk on.

An Hibernian being asked what was the meaning of the phrase posthumous works, readily answered, «Why, to be sure, they are books that a man writes after he is dead. >>

2. Leichte Prosa.

1. Sketch of Walter Scott.

(By Washington Irving.)

The conversation of Scott was frank, hearty, picturesque, and dramatic. A vein of strong, shrewd common sense ran throughout it, as it does throughout all his writings, but was enriched and enlivened by incessant

1) Papierhändler. 2) (278). 3) Platt, statt soul. 4) Scharfsinnig. 5) (65).

touches of feeling, of fancy, and humour. I have not done justice1) to the copious flow of grave thought that often mingled in his conversation, for at this distance of time little remains in my memory but salient points, and light, whimsical, and characteristic anecdotes. Indeed, during the whole time of my visit, he seemed in a lively playful mood, and his remarks and stories inclined to the comic rather than the grave. Such2), however, I was told, was the usual habit of his mind in social intercourse. He relished a joke, or a trait of humour, and laughed with right good will). Scott never talked for effect or display, but) from the flow of his spirits, the stores of his memory, and the vigour of his imagination. He had a natural turn 5) for narration; and his narratives and descriptions were without effect, yet wonderfully graphic). He placed the scene before you like a picture; he gave the dialogue with the appropriate dialect or peculiarities, and described the appearance and characters of his personages) with that spirit and felicity evinced) in his writings. Indeed his conversations reminded me continually of his novels, and it seemed to me that, during the time I was with him, he talked enough to fill volumes, and that they could not have been filled more delightfully. He was as good a listener as talker), appreciated every thing that others said, however humble 10) might be their rank and pretensions, and was quick to testify his perception of any point in their discourse. He arrogated nothing to himself, but was perfectly unassuming 11) and unpretending 12); entering with heart and soul into the business, or pleasure, or, I had almost said, folly, of the hour and the company. No one's concerns, no one's thoughts and opinions, no one's tastes and pleasures, seemed beneath him. He made himself so thoroughly the companion of those with whom he happened 13) to be, that they forgot, for a time, his vast superiority, and only recollected, and wondered, when all was over, that it was Scott with whom they had been on such familiar terms, and in whose society they had felt so perfectly at their ease. It was delightful to observe the generous mode in which he spoke of all his literary contemporaries; quoting the beauties of their works and pointing out their merits; and this, too, with respect to persons with whom he might have been supposed to be at variance in literature or politics. Jeffrey, it was thought, had ruffled his plumes in one of his reviews, yet Scott spoke of him in terms of high and warm eulogy, both as an author and as a man. His humour in conversation, as in his works, was genial, and free from all causticity 14). He had a quick perception of faults and foibles, but he looked upon poor human nature with an indulgent eye, relishing what was good and pleasant, tolerating what was frail, and pitying what was evil. It is this benignant spirit which gives such an air of bonhommie to Scott's humour throughout all his works. He played with the foibles and errors of his fellow-beings, and presented them in a thousand whimsical and characteristic lights; but the kindness and generosity of his nature tempered the sharpness of his wit, and would not allow him to be a satirist. I do not recollect a sneer throughout his conversation, any more than throughout his works. Such 15) is a rough sketch of Scott, as I saw him in private life, not merely at the time of the visit here narrated, but in the casual intercourse of subsequent years. Of his public character and merits all the world can judge. His works have incorporated themselves with thoughts and concerns of the whole civilised world for a quarter of

1) Erwähne hier nicht. 2) (156). 3) Recht herzlich. 4) (324). 5) Gewandts heit. 6) Klar darstellend. 7) Handelnde Personen. 8) Welche er 9) (80). 10) (328). 11) Anspruchslos. 12) (123). 13) (286).

bewiesen hat. 14) Beißender

Spott. 15) (156).

a century, and have had a controlling influence over the age in which he lived. But when did human being ever exercise an influence more salutary and benignant? Who is there that, on looking back over a great portion of his life, does not find the genius of Scott administering to his pleasures, beguiling his cares, and soothing his lonely sorrows? Who does not still guard his works as a treasury of pure enjoyment, and armoury to which to resort in time of need, to find weapons with which to fight off the evils and griefs of life? For my own part, in periods of dejection, when every thing around me was joyless, I have hailed the announcement of a new work from his pen, as an earnest ') of certain pleasure in store for me, and have looked forward to it as a traveller on a waste looks to a green spot at a distance, where he feels assured of solace and refreshment. When I consider how much he has thus contributed to the better hours of my past existence, and how independent his works still make me, at times, of all the world for my enjoyment, I bless my stars that cast my lot in his days, to be thus cheered and gladdened by the outpourings of his genius. I consider it one of the few unmingled gratifications that I have derived from my literary career, that it has elevated me into genial communion with such a spirit; and, as a tribute of gratitude for his friendship and veneration for his memory, I throw this humble stone upon his cairn 2) which will soon, I trust, be piled aloft with the contributions of abler hands.>>

2. Character of Howard the Philanthropist.

[ocr errors]

(By Edmund Burke.)

I cannot name this gentleman without remarking, that his labours and writings have done much to open the eyes and hearts of all mankind. He has visited all Europe not to survey the sumptuousness of palaces, or the stateliness of temples; not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, nor to form a scale of the curiosities of modern art; nor to collect medals, or collate manuscripts, but to dive into the depths of dungeons, to plunge into the infection of hospitals, to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain; to take the gauge 3) and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt; to remember the forgotten, to attend to the neglected, to visit the forsaken, and compare and collate the distresses of all men in all countries. His plan is original: it is as full of genius as of humanity. It was a voyage of discovery; a circumnavigation of charity. Already, the benefit of his labour is felt more or less in every country: I hope he will anticipate his final reward by seeing all its effects fully realised in his own.

3. Cornelia.

(By Lady Morgan.)

«As parents honoured, and as gods obeyed.>> The life of Cornelia, the daughter of Scipio Africanus, the wife of Sempronius Gracchus, and the mother of his two immortal sons of that name, would alone suffice to establish the intellectual and moral endowments) of the women of the Roman republic, and their worthiness to claim and to possess the rights of citizenship), as nobly performing its duties. Tiberius and Caius Gracchus owed the virtues and the powers by which they were enabled to illustrate their unknown, though patrician

1) Versprechen, Anwartschaft. 2) Steinernes Grabmal (der Alten). 3) Oder: gage, das Aichmaß. 4) Gaben. 5) (83).

« AnkstesnisTęsti »