At the Wells assizes, the other day, a butcher's wife, in giving her
evidence, repeatedly turned towards the prisoner at the bar, and
designated him as "that gentleman!" The judge at last lost all patience,
and exclaimed, "Old woman, you are become quite offensive." This
exemplifies Steele's speaking of "sin as a fine gentleman."
* * * * *
Baron Garrow lately observed at Monmouth, that a respected friend of his,
in the city of London, would sign his name on the outside of letters, in
such a way as to defy the skill of every man in the court, even if
assisted by the greater sagacity of the other sex, in finding out what his
signature could possibly be meant for. The post-offices indeed, knew that
a certain number of straight strokes, up and down, meant W. Curtis; but
probably that was not because they could read the signature, but because
nothing else at all like it ever came there.
* * * * *
Dr. Solo, on hearing of the glorious victory obtained by Bolivar, was
determined that every bird and beast that he possessed should get drunk on
this glorious occasion. For this purpose he gave the horses, cows, pigs,
and poultry and birds as much juice of the sugar-cane as they could drink;
and it was very amusing to see the pigs jump about in the most frolicsome
manner.--_Hutchinson's Travels in Colombia._
* * * * *