Shortly after the introduction of the New Weights and Measures, an
innkeeper in a market-town, not far from Sudbury, in Suffolk, sent his
ostler to a customer with a quantity of liquor, which he delivered
with the following words:--"Marstur bid me tell ye _Sar_, as how 'tis
the New _Infarnal_ Measure."
* * * * *
A farmer calling upon his landlord to pay his rent, apologized for
being late, by saying that his illness prevented his attending
earlier, and he did not know what his disorder was. The gentleman told
him it was "Influenza." Returning home he was met by the schoolmaster
of the village, who inquired after his health, "I am very poorly,"
replied the farmer, "my landlord tells me my complaint is _Humphry
Windsor_."
* * * * *
A witness on a trial being interrogated by Judge Willis, in a manner
not pleasing to him, turned to an acquaintance, and told him in a half
whisper, "he did not come there to be queered by the old one." Willis
heard him, and instantly replied, in his own cant, "I am old 'tis
true--and I'm rum sometimes--and for once I'll be queer--and I send
you to quod."