[[Source:
Author: (Dr.) Nathaniel Cotton (1705-1788).
First known publication 1746. The piece was not part of the 1751
Visions in Verse.]]
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_ANECDOTES._
Some of the papers sport Mr. Thomas Paine as a man of gallantry; they
say, since his last trip to Paris, he was caught on his knees at a
lady’s feet by her husband.--The Frenchman astonished at what he saw,
exclaimed, “_Vat the devil be you doing, Citizen Paine?_” “_Only_,”
replied Tom, “_measuring your lady for a pair of stays._”--The Frenchman
quite pleased at Tom’s answer, kissed and thanked him for his
politeness.
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