A reverend gentleman of prominence, M. F., of ----, was presented to
the President, who resignedly had a chair placed for him, and with
patient awaiting said:
"My dear sir, I am now ready to hear what you have to say."
"Why, bless you, Mr. President," stammered the other, with more
apprehension than his host, "I have nothing to say. I only came to pay
my respects."
"Is that all?" exclaimed the escaped victim, springing up to take the
minister's two hands with gladness. "It is a relief to find a
clergyman--or any other man, [Footnote: Any other man. From this
frequent expression of Mr. Lincoln's, a true comedian, the "negro
entertainer," Unsworth, conceived a burlesque lecture, "Or Any Other
Man," with which he went around the world. The editor, passing through
London, remembers his attention being called to Mr. Gladstone and other
cabinet ministers, who came to the Oxford Music-hall nightly between
Parliament business, to hear Unsworth, who, on such chances, introduced
personal and pat allusions to the subjects debated that night.] for
that matter--who has nothing to say. I thought you had come to preach
to me."
* * * * *