TAKING A LIBERTY.

The most singular instance of British pride is related of a man, known

in his time by the name of the “Proud Duke of Somerset.” This pillar of

“the Corinthian capital of polished society” married a second wife. One

day, with an affectionate ease, she suddenly threw her arm round his

neck, and fondly saluted him. “Madam,” said the unmanly peer, “my first

wife was a Percy, and _she_ would not have taken such a liberty.”