"I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's
stuff."--_Wotton_
* * * * *
A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine
that the Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little
crooked lawyer met him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor,
what do you think of my figure? does it correspond with your tenets of
this morning?"--"My friend," replied the preacher, with much gravity,
"you are handsome for a hunch-backed man."
* * * * *
Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman
of Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he
should smuggle a part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name
of Zeltner, and desired him to take the horse which he himself usually
rode. On his return, young Zeltner said that he would never ride his
horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same time. Kosciusko
asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road
takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands
still, and won't stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as
I had no money about me, I was obliged to make believe to give
something, in order to satisfy the horse."
* * * * *
Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination
superior to persons in colder climates. The following description of a
small room will appear very poetic to an English reader: "I am now,"
says a Turkish spy, writing to his employers, "in an apartment so
little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it."
* * * * *
An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition,
and very unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both
been rejected by the managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for
this," said the unfortunate bard to his friend; "for no one can say that
my tragedy was a _sad_ performance, or that my comedy was a thing to
laugh at."
* * * * *
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House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._