_Escurial_, and as he view’d the Rich and Magnificent Convent of
the Monks of the order of St. _Jerom_, call’d the Cloister of
St. _Laurence_, the Superiour, who Conducted him, told him the
Particulars of its foundation, and how King _Philip_ II. had caus’d
it to be built to perform the Vow he made on that Day the Battle
of St. _Quentin_ was fought, which was on St. _Laurence_’s Day,
in case he should come off Victorious; whereupon the Traveller,
admiring the Magnificence of that Building, said: _Father, that
King must needs he be in great Fear, when he made so great a Vow_.
80
Un homme de Qualité, voyageant en _Espagne_, alla voir
l’_Escurial_, & comme il visitoit ce riche & magnifique Convent
de Religieux de l’ordre de S. _Jerome_, qu’on nomme le cloitre
de S. _Laurent_, le Superieur qui le conduisoit lui raconta les
particularitez de sa fondation; il lui dit comme le Roy _Philippe_
II. l’avoit fait batir pour satisfaire au voeu qu’il en fit le
jour de la bataille de S. _Quentin_, qui fut donnée le jour de S.
_Laurent_, en cas qu’il en sortit victorieux: là dessus le Voyageur
lui dit en admirant la Magnificence de ce Batiment: _Mon Pere, il
faloit que ce Roy eut grand peur, lors qu’il fit un si grand voeu_.
81
All the Teeth of a certain talkative Lady being loose, she ask’d
a Physician the cause of it, who Answered, _It proceeded from the
violent shakings she gave them, with her Tongue_.
81
Toutes les dents d’une Demoiselle, qui parloit beau coup, étant
pretes à tomber, elle en demanda la cause à un Medecin, qui lui
repondit, _que c’ètoit à cause des secousses, qu’elle leur donnoit
avec sa langue_.
82
A bad Painter who could not put off his Pictures, went into another
Country and turn’d Physician; one who went that way knew him again,
and ask’d him for what reason he went in the habit of a Physician;
_I have a mind_, said he, _to profess an art, wherein all mistakes
are cover’d by the earth_.
82
Un méchant Peintre, qui ne pouvoit vendre ses ouvrages, s’en alla
dans un autre païs & s’y fit Medecin; Quelqu’ un qui passoit par
là le reconnut & lui demanda pour quelle raison il alloit vêtu en
Medecin? Il répondit, _J’ai voulu professer un Art, où toutes les
fautes que l’on y fait, sont couvertes par la Terre_.
83
Certain Young Ladys walking in the fields met in their way, a
Shepherd, who carried a Lamb to the Market, one among them coming
near, stroak’d it, and said to her Companions, _Look how pretty he
is, he has yet no Horns_; the Shepherd hearing that, reply’d, _’tis
because he is not yet married_.
83
Certaines Demoiselles, se promenant à la campagne, rencontrerent
par le chemin un Berger qui portoit un chevreau au marché; une
d’entre elles s’en étant approchée, le caressa & dit à ses
compagnes, _Regardez comme il est joly, il n’a point encore de
cornes_; le Berger entendant cela, leur repondit, _c’est qu’il
n’est pas encore marié_.
84
The Kings Court being at a certain Town, two Gentlemen walking
together met a Clown beating his Ass unmercifully; they said to
him harkee friend, have you no conscience to abuse that poor beast
at this rate? the Man pulling off his Hat, presently reply’d, _Cry
Mercy good Mr. Ass, I did not think you had relations at Court_.
84
La Cour du Roy étant en une certaine ville, deux gentilshommmes se
promenant ensemble rencontrerent un Païsan qui battoit son Ane avec
éxcez, ils lui dirent aussi tôt, he, mon amy, n’avez vous point de
conscience de maltraiter ainsi cette pauvre Bête? Cét homme ayant
ôté son chapeau dit aussi tôt, _Pardon, monsieur l’Ane, je ne
croyois pas que vous eussies des parens à la Cour_.
85
A Citizen said to a Courtier, that he had eased himself of a heavy
Burden, by paying a Sum of Money he ow’d; and that he could not
apprehend how one could Sleep that was deeply indebted. _And I_,
answer’d the Courtier, who was in Debt over Head and Ears, _do very
easily apprehend it; but I cannot imagine how my Creditors can
Sleep, when they think I shall never pay them_.
85
Un homme de la Ville dit à un Courtisan, qu’il venoit de se
decharger d’un pesant fardeau en payant une Somme qu’il devoit, &
qu’il ne comprenoit pas comment on pouvoit dormir, quand on ètoit
chargé de dettes: _Pour moy_, repondit le Courtisan, qui ètoit
fort endetté, _Je le comprens facilement; mais je ne comprens pas
comment mes Creanciers peuvent dormir, sachant bien que je ne les
payerai jamais_.
86
The Baron _des Adrets_, one of the Generals of the _Huguenots_,
took during the Wars a Castle belonging to the Catholicks, and
condemn’d all the Soldiers that had defended it, to leap out at
a Window of that Castle; one of them advanc’d twice to the brink
of the Precipice, and still he shrunk back; whereupon the Baron
told him, Come, take your Leap without any more ado, for I’ll make
you suffer greater Torments if you go back a third time. _Sir_,
answer’d the Soldier, _since you take the thing to be so easy, I
lay you don’t do it in four times_. Which so pleas’d the Baron,
that as cruel as he was, he pardoned the Soldier upon accout of
this Repartee.
86
Le Baron des _Adrets_, l’un des chefs du Parti _Huguenot_, prit
durant la Guerre un Chateau du Parti des Catholiques, & condamna
les Soldats qui l’avoient defendu à sauter du haut en bas d’une
Tour de ce Chateau; Un du ces Soldats s’avança par deux fois au
bord du Precipice, & s’en recula par deux fois; le Baron lui dit,
Saute donc sans tant marchander, car je vais te faire souffrir bien
d’autres tourmens si tu recules pour la troisiéme fois. _Monsieur_,
lui repondit le Soldat, _Puisque vous trouvez la chose si facile,
je vous la donne en quatre_: Ce qui plût à ce Baron, qui tout cruel
qu’il étoit, lui pardonna en faveur de ce bon mot.
87
A young Lady being in Company with her Husband, they began to tell
merry Stories, and every one had his own; when it came to the
Ladies turn, she was pleas’d to relate all the Stratagems that
a Spark had us’d to get one Night into the Room of a Woman he
lov’d, and whose Husband was absent; but it fell out unluckily as
they were together, very well pleas’d with one another, that the
Husband comes and knocks at the Door. _So you may imagine_, said
she, _what Trouble I was in_. This preposterous Reflexion cast her
Husband into another sort of Trouble, by giving him to understand
what share he had in this Adventure; and how his Wife had blurted
out a Truth, which she never design’d to let him know.
87
Une jeune Dame ètant en Compagnie avec son Mary, on se mit sur les
bons Contes, & chacun dit ceux qu’il savoit; la Dame en voulut
dire un à son tour, & raconta toutes les addresses dont un Galand
s’ètoit servi pour s’introduire la nuit dans la Chambre d’une
Femme qu’il aimoit, & dont le Mary ètoit absent; mais par malheur,
ajoûta-t-elle, comme ils ètoient en semble, fort contens l’un de
l’autre, Voici le Mari qui revint frapper à la porte: _Imaginez
vous_, dit elle, _alors l’embarras où je fus._ Cette reflexion
mal placée, jetta son Mary dans un autre embarras, en lui faisant
connoitre la part qu’il avoit en cette avanture, & comme sa femme,
sans y penser, avoit laissé échapper une verité qu’elle n’avoit pas
intention de lui apprendre.
88
Count _Mansfelt_ having received three Routings in _Germany_, went
to the _French_ King for new Recruits. As he was seeing the two
Queens one day at Dinner, the Queen Mother said, _They say Count_
Mansfelt _is here among the Croud_. _I do not believe it_, said the
young Queen, _for whensoever he sees a_ Spaniard _he runs away_.
88
Le Comte de _Mansfelt_, ayant perdu trois Battailles en
_Allemagne_, vint demander de nouveaux Renforts au Roy de _France_.
Un jour qu’il alla voir les deux Reines à diner, la Reine Mere dit:
_On dit que le Comte de_ Mansfelt _est parmi cette Foule_; _je n’en
crois rien_, Dit la jeune Reine, _Car il prend la fuite d’abord
qu’il voit un Espagnol_.
89
A Captain that had a wooden Leg booted over, had it shattered to
pieces by a Cannon Bullet; his Soldiers crying out, _A Surgeon,
a Surgeon for the Captain_. _No, no_, said he, _a Carpenter will
serve my turn_.
89
Un Capitaine qui avoit une jambe de bois bottée, y receut un coup
de Canon qui la lui fracassa; & comme ses Soldats demandoient un
_Chirurgien, Un Chirurgien pour le Capitaine_. _Non, non_, dit il,
_un Charpentier fera mon affaire._
90
A Secretary of State in _France_, passing the _Pont-neuf_, or New
Bridge at _Paris_, between Nine and Ten a Clock in a Winter-night,
with his Lacquey carrying a Flambeau before him, o’re-heard a noise
of clashing of Swords and Fighting, and looking under the Flambeau,
and perceiving they were but two, he bid his Footman go on. They
had not gone many paces, but two armed Men, with their Pistols
cock’d, and Swords drawn, made pushing towards them: One of them
had a Paper in his Hand, which he said, he had casually took up in
the Streets, and had occasion’d their difference; therefore they
desired the Secretary to read it, with a great deal of Complement.
The Secretary took out his Spectacles, and fell a reading the said
Paper, whereof the Substance was, _That it should be known to all
Men, that whosoever did pass over that Bridge after Nine a Clock in
Winter, and Ten in Summer, was to leave his Cloak behind him, and
in case of no Cloak, his Hat_. The Secretary started at this, one
of the Rogues told him, That he thought that Paper concerned him;
so they unmantled him, and my Secretary was content to go home in
_Cuerpo_.
90
Un Secretaire d’Etat en _France_, passant en hyver sur le
_Pont-neuf_ à _Paris_, sur les neuf à dix heures du soir avec son
Laquay & un Flambeau pout l’éclairer, il entendit un Chamaillis
d’Epées & de gens qui se battoient, & voyant à la faveur du
Flambeau, qu’ils n’ètoitent que deux, il dit à son Laquay de passer
Chemin. A peine eurent ils fait quelques pas que deux hommes armez,
avec leurs Pistolets bandez, & l’épée nue, s’en vinrent fierement
à eux: l’un d’eux avoit un Papier en sa main, qu’il dit avoir
ramassé par hasard dans la ruë, & qui avoit causé leur demêlé;
c’est pourquoy ils prierent fort civilement le Secretaire de le
lire. Le Secretaire tira ses lunettes, & se mit à lire ce Papier,
dont le contenu étoit. _Il est fait à scavoir à toutes Personnes
que quiconque passera sur ce Pont après neuf heures en hyver, & dix
en Eté, il aye à laisser son Manteau, & en cas qu’il n’ait point de
Manteau, son Chapeau._ Comme un des Filous vit que le Secretaire
tressailloit de peur, il lui dit, qu’il croyoit que cét écrit le
regardoit; ainsi ils lui prirent son Manteau, & notre Secretaire
fut content de ce qu’on le laissa aller paisiblement chez lui en
pourpoint.
91
The Duke of _Ossuna_, Viceroy of _Naples_, passing by _Barcelona_,
and having got leave to release some Slaves, he went aboard the
_Cape Gally_, and passing through the Crew of Slaves, he ask’d
divers of them what their Offences were; every one excus’d himself
upon several pretences, one saying, That he was put in out of
Malice; another by Bribery of the Judge, but all of them unjustly.
Among the rest, there was one sturdy little black Man, and the
Duke asking him what he was in for. _My Lord_, said he, _I cannot
deny but I am justly put in here, for I wanted Money, and so took
a Purse hard by_ Tarragona _to keep me from Starving._ The Duke,
with a little Staff he had in his Hand, gave him two or three blows
upon the Shoulders, saying, _You Rogue, what do you do amongst so
many honest, innocent Men? Get you out of their Company._ So he was
freed, and the rest remained still to Tug at the Oar.
91
Le Duc d’_Ossone_, Viceroy de _Naples_, passant par _Barcelone_,
& voulant se servir du Droit qu’il avoit de delivrer quelques
Forçats, alla sur la Galere Capitainesse, & passant par la
Chiourme, il interrogea plusieurs Forcats touchant leurs Crimes.
Ils s’excuserent tous sur divers Pretextes; les uns disant qu’ils
ètoient là par malice, les autres parce que leur Juge avoit été
corrompu; mais tous injustement. Parmi ceux-ci il se rencontra un
petit noirand esperlucat, & comme le Duc lui demanda pourquoi il
ètoit là: _Monseigneur_, dit il, _je ne saurois nier que ce ne
soit avec justice qu’on m’a mis ici; car me trouvant sans argent,
je pris une Bourse pres de_ Tarrascon _pour m’empêcher de mourir
de faim_. Le Duc, avec un petit baton qu’il avoit en sa main, lui
donna deux ou trois coups sur l’épaule, & lui dit, _Coquin, qu’est
ce que tu fais ici parmi tant de gens de bien qui sont innocens?
Sors promtement de leur Compagnie._ Ansi il fut mis en liberté, &
les autres demeurerent pour tirer à la Rame.
92
_James_ I. King of _England_, asking the Lord Keeper _Bacon_,
what he thought of the _French_ Ambassador; he answer’d, that he
was a _tall, proper_ Man. _Ay_, replied the King, _What think you
of his Head-piece? Is he a proper Man for an Ambassador?_ _Sir_,
said _Bacon_, _Tall Men are like high Houses, wherein commonly the
uppermost Rooms are worst furnished._
92
_Jaques_ I. Roy d’_Angleterre_ demandant au Chancellier _Bacon_,
ce qu’il pensoit de l’Ambassadeur de _France_; il respondit que
c’ètoit un homme de belle taille. _Ouy_, repliqua le Roy, _mais que
dites vous de sa tête? Est-elle propre pour une Ambassade?_ _Sire_,
dit _Bacon_, _les Gens grands sont comme les Maisons de cinq ou six
etages, ou les Chambres les plus hautes sont ordinairement les plus
mal garnies._
93
_Christopher_ of _Placentia_, a merry Gentleman, and a good
Companion, but very poor withal, finding one Night some Thieves
in his House, told them without putting himself in a Passion, _I
cannot imagine what you expect to find in my House in the Night,
since I can find nothing in it my self in the Day-time_.
93
_Christophe_ de _Plaisance_, Gentilhomme agréable & bon compagnon,
mais fort pauvre, trouvant une nuit des voleurs dans sa maison,
leur dit, sans se mettre en colere, _Je ne scay ce que vous
pretendez trouver dans ma Maison pendant la nuit, puisque moy même,
je n’y trouve rien pendant le jour_.
94
An _Italian_ Earl, about _Naples_, of a hundred thousand Crowns
a Year, married a common Laundress; whereupon _Pasquin_ the next
_Sunday_ Morning, had a foul and most dirty Shirt put upon his
Back, and this Tart Libel beneath: Pasquin, _how now? A foul Shirt
upon a_ Sunday? The answer in _Pasquin_’s behalf was, _I cannot
help it, for my Laundress is made a Countess_.
94
Un Comte _Italien_, des environs de _Naples_, qui avoit cent mille
ecus de rente, ayant épousé une simple Blanchisseuse; le Dimanche
d’aprés, on vit _Pasquin_ avec une Chemise extremement sale, & ces
mots satyriques au dessous: _Fi donc_, Pasquin, _Une Chemise sale
un jour de Dimanche?_ La reponse en faveur de _Pasquin_ étoit, _Je
ne saurois qu’y faire, car ma Blanchisseuse est devenue Comtesse._
95
It was a tart Jest, which was in this manner put upon the Pope,
and one of his Nephews, at the latter end of the Year 1649. It
seems, the good old _Father_ had advanced the _Spark_ from a poor
ignorant _Taylor_, to the Dignity of a _Roman Baron_: All the
Ancient Nobility were disgusted at this, and some arch wag was set
at work to ridicule the _Pope_’s Conduct, and the new _Barons_
honour. Wherefore on Christmas Day early in the morning, _Pasquil_
was observed to be apparell’d in Rags, and a very nasty habit,
with a Schedule of paper in his hand, wherein was writ. _How now_,
Pasquil, _what_! _All in Rags on a_ Christmas day? the answer for
_Pasquil_ was, _Alas, I cannot help it, for my_ Taylor _is become
a_ Baron.
95
On fit une Raillerie fort piquante sur le Pape, & un de les
Neveux, sur la fin de l’année 1649. En cette maniere Le bon Pere
avoit élevé ce jeune homme de la Condition d’un miserable benet
de _Tailleur_, à la dignité de _Baron de Rome_; Toute l’ancienne
Noblesse en fut piquée: & on chargea un Esprit malin de tourner en
ridicule, & la conduite du Pape, & la dignité du nouveau Baron; sur
cela on vit le jour de Noel, de grand matin, _Pasquin_ vêtu d’un
habit fort sale & tout dechiré avec un morceau de Papier à la main,
avec ces mots. _Quoy donc_, Pasquin, _d’où viennent ces Guenilles
un jour de Noel?_ La réponse en faveur de _Pasquin_ ètoit, _Helas!
je ne saurois qu’y faire, car mon_ Tailleur _à été fait_ Baron.
96
One day a Thief was carried to the Gallows, and as his Confessor
ask’d him whether he was not sorry for having committed the Theft
for which he was going to suffer, _Yes_, reply’d the Malefactor,
_But I am still more sorry that I did not steal enough to bribe my
Judges_.
96
Un jour on menoit un voleur à la Potence, & comme son Confesseur
lui demandoit s’il n’étoit pas faché d’avoir commis le larcin pour
lequel il alloit être pendu: _Ouy_, lui repondit le Criminel, _mais
ce qui me fache advantage, c’est de n’avoir pas assez volé pour
corrompre mes Juges_.
97
Two Ladies playing at Picquet, a young Lord came to them, and ask’d
them what they play’d for. They answer’d that they only play’d for
honour, _then there will be nothing for the Cards_, reply’d he.
97
Deux Dames joüant au Piquet, un jeune Seigneur vint sur le jeu,
qui leur demanda ce qu’elles joüoient, elles lui dirent qu’elles
ne joüoient que pour l’honneur. _Il n’y aura donc rien pour les
cartes_; repliqua t-il.
98
A Lawyer told his Client, his adversary had remov’d his suit out of
one Court into another; to whom the Client reply’d, _Let him remove
it to the Devil if he pleases: I am sure my Attorney, for money,
will follow it_.
98
Un avocat dit à son Client, que sa Partie adverse avoit porté
l’affaire d’une cour à une autre, à quoi le Client répondit, _Elle
n’a qu’à la porter au Diable si elle veut; Je suis seur que mon
Procureur l’y poursuivra pour de l’argent_.
99
A Usurer had constantly two dishes brought to his table, but eat of
but one; his Man once brought but one, and left the other behind.
_Sirrah_, said his Master, _Where’s the other_ Dish? _Sir_, said
he, _It has come so oft, I thought it would have found its way
hither without my assistance_.
99
Un Usurier se faisoit toujours servir deux Plats à Table, quoy
qu’il ne touchât qu’à un; un jour son valet n’en servit qu’un,
& laissa l’autre. _Coquin_, lui dit son Maitre, _Où est l’autre
Plat?_ _Monsieur_, dit il, _Il est venu ici si souvent, que je
croyois qu’il retrouveroit assez le chemin sans moy_.
100
A Lawyer being Sick, made his will, and gave away all his Estate
to Lunatick, Frantick, and Mad People: And being ask’d why he did
so, he reply’d, _From such he had it, and to such he would give it
again_.
100
Un Avocat ètant malade, fit son Testament & donna tout son Bien aux
Fous, aux Lunatiques, & aux Enragez: Et comme on lui en demanda la
raison, il repliquà, _Qu’il vouloit le rendre à ceux de qui il le
tenoit_.
101
A Taylor carried his Bill to the Duke of _Buckingham_, who said
he could not then pay him, but made him sup a Mess of his Broth,
which having done, he humbly thanks his Grace, and takes his leave.
He had not been at home exercising his Shears, but he was fit for
the Bodkin, for his Broth began to operate, and provok’d him to
call up his Wife, who presently attended his Motion, being easily
prevail’d withal. So as the Potage began to work with him he work’d
with her, and having highly pleased his Wife, as well as himself,
with a Kiss dismiss’d her. Within a quarter of an Hour he calls her
up again, and so he did to the third and fourth time. At last she
ask’d him, how this strange and sudden Alteration came? So he told
her, My Lord did not pay him his Bill, but gave him a Porrenger of
his Broth, which had wrought these vigorous Effects. To which she
reply’d, _Prithee, Husband, if my Lord is willing, take out all thy
Bill in this Broth_.
101
Un Tailleur alla porter ses Parties au Duc de _Buckingham_, qui
lui dit-qu’il ne pouvoit pas le payer alors, mais lui fit prendre
une écuellée de son Bouillon, ce qu’ayant fait, il remercia très
humblement sa Grandeur, & se retira. Il n’eut pas été long tems
chez lui à faire aller ses Ciseaux, qu’il eut affaire de son
Poinçon; car le Bouillon commençant à operer, il falut qu’il fit
monter sa Femme, laquelle ne se fit pas beaucoup prier pour venir
voir ce qu’il souhaitoit. A mesure que le Bouillon operoit sur lui,
il en fit autant sur sa Femme; & s’étant bien diverti avec elle,
il lui donna un baiser, & la renvoya. Dans un quart d’heure il la
fit remonter; et puis une troisiéme & quatrieme fois. Enfin elle
lui demanda d’où venoit un Changement si étrange & si subit? Il
repondit que Milord ne lui avoit pas payé ses Parties, mais qu’il
lui avoit donné, une écuellée de son Bouillon, qui l’avoit rendu
si vigoureux: à quoi la Femme repliqua: _Je te prie, mon bon, si
Milord le veut, paye toi de toutes tes parties en Bouillons_.
102
A Taylor, blind of one Eye, was come home sooner than his Wife
expected; and because, during his absence, she had entertain’d her
Lover, and could not tell how to convey him out; she bethought her
self of this Stratagem, she goes to her Husband, and takes him
about the Neck, claps her Hand upon his good Eye, and told him she
was a dreaming last Night he could see with the other Eye, in the
mean time her Spark slipt out.
102
Un Tailleur borgne revint au Logis avant que sa Femme l’y attendit;
& comme pendant son absence elle s’ètoit divertie avec son galand,
& qu’elle ne savoít comment le faire sortir, elle s’avisa de ce
Stratageme: Elle s’approche de son mari, lui saute au cou, met sa
main sur son bon oeil, & lui dit qu’elle avoit songé la nuit passée
qu’il y voyoit de l’autre l’oeil, & dans ce tems là son galand se
sauva.
103
A Taylor having a young and handsom Wife, went into the Country
to his Customers; in the mean time a lusty young Journey-man
sollicited her, but she refus’d; at last he vow’d, when she was in
Bed, he’d come into the Chamber; she vow’d if he did, she’d have a
great Knife in Bed with her to cut his Throat. At Night, he opens
the Door softly, but remembering the Knife, was stealing out again.
She hearing a noise, asked, who was there? ’Tis I, says he, and was
resolv’d to lye with you, but that I remember’d your Vow of the
Knife. _Oh! what a Fool was I_, says she, _to leave the Knife below
in the Kitchen?_
103
Un Tailleur, qui avoit une Femme jeune & belle, s’en ètant allé en
Province chez ses Chalands; un de ses Compagnons jeune & vigoureux
tacha de la corrompre, mais elle le rebuta; Enfin il jura que lors
qu’elle seroit couchée, il la viendroit trouver dans sa chambre,
& elle jura de son côté que s’il le faísoit, elle auroit un grand
Couteau dans son lit pour lui couper la gorge. La nuit venuë, il
ouvre doucement la Porte, mais se ressouvenant du Couteau, il
alloit resortir à la derobée: Elle, entendant du bruit, demanda qui
c’ètoit? C’est moy, dit il, qui avois resolu de coucher avec vous,
n’ètoit que je me suis ressouvenu du serment que vous avez fait du
Couteau. _O! la sotte que je suis_, dit elle, _d’avoir oublié le
Couteau là bas dans la Cuísine!_
104
One at a Lord’s Table, told him of a Piece of Chymistry, which he
saw in _Flanders_, which was a general Cure for all Diseases; nay,
I confess my self, says he, I could not have believ’d it, if I had
not seen it; at which the Lord wondred much, and ask’d a Grave
Philosopher at the Table, what he thought of it, _Why truly, my
Lord_, says he, _that Gentleman has spoken my Sentiments, for he
said he could not have believ’d it unless he had seen it, and truly
no more will I_.
104
Un homme qui ètoit à la Table d’un Milord, l’entretenoit d’une
Operation chimique qu’il avoit veuë en _Flandre_, & qui ètoit un
Remede général pour toutes sortes de maux; & je vous avouë, dit il,
que je ne l’eusse pas creu si je ne l’eusse veu moi-même; le Milord
en parut fort surpris, & il demanda à un Philosophe grave qui ètoit
à Table, ce qu’il en croyoit: _Vrayment, Milord_, dit-il, _ce
Monsieur là vient d’expliquer mes sentimens, car il a dit qu’il ne
l’eût point creu, á moins que de l’avoir veu, & moy je ne saurois
le croire non plus_.
105
A Gentleman came into an Inn in _Chelmsford_, upon a very cold
Day, and could get no room near the Fire, whereupon he calls to
the Ostler to fetch a peck of Oysters, and give them to his Horse
presently; will your Horse eat Oysters, reply’d the Ostler, I pray,
try him, says the Gentleman; Immediately the People running to see
this wonder, the fire side was clear’d, and the Gentleman had his
choice of Seats. The Ostler brings the Oysters, and said the Horse
would not meddle with them; why then, says the Gentleman, I must be
forc’d to eat them my self.
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