Sharon Turner, in his "History of the Anglo-Saxons," vol. iv. says, "The
King presided at the witena-gemots, and sometimes, perhaps, always
addressed them." In 993, we have this account of a royal speech. The King
says, in a charter which recites what had passed at one of their meetings,
"I benignantly addressed to them salutary and pacific words. I admonished
all--that those things which were worthy of the Creator, and serviceable
to the health of my soul, or to my royal dignity, and which should prevail
as proper for the English people, they might, with the Lord's assistance,
discuss in common." P.T.W.
* * * * *
A very common excuse set up by economists for being too late for dinner is,
"There was not a coach to be found."--Uncalculating and improvident
selfish idiot, not to send for one till the very last moment; you save
nothing by it, and spoil your friend's dinner, in order to save yourself
sixpence. Suppose you have a mile and a half to go, the fare is one
shilling and sixpence; you will be about eighteen minutes going that
distance, and for that sum you may detain the coach forty-four minutes.
Always call a coach a quarter of an hour before you want it--i.e. if you
do not wish to be too late.
* * * * *