WHAT IS REPARTEE!
Beparteo is a sudden flash. It is turning a current of thought in an opposite direction. M is the upsetting of a train of thoughts. It is really deforming a thought. Repartee is a case where one ftpcafcir makes a plain statement, Aimed in a certain direction, which a hearer collides withend reverses bo as to shoot straight back at the speaker. "What I want," Baid a pompous orator, aiming at his antagonist, "is good common sense.'' 11 Exactly," was the whispered reply, " that's just what you need." Repartee is often very unkind, but its unkiudnesa is excusable when the person indulging in it has been attacked. For instance, Abemethy, the famous surgeon, swore violently at a poor Irish pavior who had piled some paving-et^aes on *he Doctor's sidewalk. • * Eemove them ! —away with them ! " screamed Abemethy, with an oath. ■"But rahwe, shall I take them to?" asked Pat. " To hell with them !" exclaimed the doctor. 41 Hadn't I Latter take them to heaven ? Sure, and thy'd be more out of your honour's way there,i said Pat, os he leaned on his spade. An netauce of unkind repartee is recorded of Charles Lamb. Ono day a loving raoiber brought her beautiful golden -haired .b.iby in to dinner in her arms. fibe was very proud of her sweet bnbe, and, holding ; it up -.with pride and joy in her eyes, she Baid: 14 Mr. Lamb, how do you like babies ?" " I like 'em boiled, madam— boiled !" Of course that mother never loved Mr. Lamb after that. i The finest piece of repartee in the English language is the instance where two Irishmen were walking under the gibbot of Newgate. Looking up at the gibbet, one of them re- ' marked : 41 Ah, Pat, where would you be if the gibbet Had done its daty ? M " Faith, Flannogan,*' said Pat, " and I'd be walking Londfm — d/l atom P' That is a flue bit •&£ repartee attributed to Douglas Jerrold : " Have you scon my • Descent Into Hell?' " inquired an author, a great bore, who had written a book with a fiery title.
"No," replied Douglaßjerrold, "butlehould likv to."
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Bibliographic details
Bush Advocate, Volume V, Issue 354, 16 August 1890, Page 8
Word Count
355WHAT IS REPARTEE! Bush Advocate, Volume V, Issue 354, 16 August 1890, Page 8
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