Part 8 (1/2)

O, he was in his Sunday's best; His jacket was red and his breeches were blue, And there was a hole where the tail came through.

_The Devil's Walk._

A closed gla.s.s bookcase provoked from Dr. Drake the remark that he never could stand ”Locke on the Human Understanding.”

LORD TEIGNMOUTH, _Reminiscences_.

There was a time, ere Trollope learned to spell, When S. G. O. wrote seldom or wrote well; When Swinburne only l.u.s.ted after tarts, When Beales was yet a Bachelor of Arts; Ere Broad Church rose to make logicians stare, That medley of St. Paul and St. Voltaire.

RICHARD CRAWLEY, _Horse and Foot_.

[Redmond Barry] said once to Corry, who was praising Crompton's performance of some particular character a night or two before, ”Yes, he played the part pretty well; he hadn't time to study it!”

THOMAS MOORE, _Diary_.

If a daughter you have, she's the plague of your life, No peace shall you know, though you've buried your wife!

At twenty she mocks at the duty you've taught her-- O, what a plague is an obstinate daughter!

Sighing and whining, Dying and pining, O, what a plague is an obstinate daughter!

When scarce in their teens, they have wit to perplex us, With letters and lovers for ever they vex us; While each still rejects the fair suitor you've brought her; O, what a plague is an obstinate daughter!

Wrangling and jangling, Flouting and pouting, O, what a plague is an obstinate daughter!

R. B. SHERIDAN, _The Duenna_.

_Kitty_: What is your ladys.h.i.+p so fond of?

_Lady Bab's Servant_: s.h.i.+ckspur. Did you never read s.h.i.+ckspur?

_Kitty_: s.h.i.+ckspur! s.h.i.+ckspur! Who wrote it? No, I never read s.h.i.+ckspur.

_High Life Below Stairs_, Act II. Scene 1.

Nul n'est content de sa fortune Ni mecontent de son esprit.

MADAME DESHOULIeRES, _Reflexions_.

In courts.h.i.+p suppose you can't sing Your Cara, your Liebe, your Zoe, A kiss and a sight of the ring Will more quickly prevail with your Chloe.

Or if you in twenty strange tongues Could call for a beef-steak and bottle, A purse with less learning and lungs Would bring them much nearer your throttle.

LORD NEAVES, _Songs and Verses_.

The father of C----, a distinguished artist, was complimented by a friend on the talents and reputation of his son, and on the comfort he must be to his father. ”Yes,” was the reply, ”he is a very good son--a very good son, if he did not swear at his mother so.”