SOME FAMOUS EXAMPLES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 20

SOME FAMOUS EXAMPLES

VERBAL SWORD PLAY

It is a great gift to, possess a ready wit when caught at an inopportune' moment (says, a writer'in tho "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle"). There is an old story that will boar repetition of Henry Labouchcre. One day during: his university career, feeling bored with his studies, lie flung aside.his books and decided to spend the day .in- London. Strolling leisurely .up Oxford street, he was surprised to meet his father,'who, equally astonished,. ejaculated, ."Why, Henry!" "Sir," replied the son, .palling his native wit to his aid,. "you have the advantage-of me," whi-oh-was perfectly correct. The -.young diplomat turned down the next .street, and out of sight, hurried to; Liverpool street station and caught the. next train to Cambridge. ■ Laboucher.e .the elder, utterly nonplussed, sought ;his : luncheon, place, and afterwards entrained- for. the university town. Beaching his son?s rooms in the college, he knocked at-the. door, and was greeted with unmistakable,.welcome by the occupant, who, rising from amid the pile of books, by which he.was surrounded, extended his..hand with a "Hello, father, I am glad to see you," and so successful was the simulation of surprise that the elder man deemed it wise to make no reference to Ms recent experience. ■ : • • Both Church and Law have been found equally ready in the exercise, of verbal sword play,, and one of the best recorded stories in, this connection;.is told of the popular preacher, William ■Jay," who ministered at the Argyle Chapel, Bath, for over sixty years. On one occasion two , friendly barristers seated in the building during his conduct of the service .were not.'a •little astonished by hearing the. good man read from the Apocalypse—"All .lawyers shall have their portion," etc Indignant, they waited, outside, at the close of the service, and'asked Jay if he wore conscious that ho-had. used the, word "lawyers" instead of. "liars.". "I know it," came the calm reply. "But you didn't correct it," angrily protested one of the silks. '' Why don't you ?'' "Well, I thought it so near the truth as to.be unnecessary," "Give mo any subject you like and I will make a line on it,'' invited Oscar Wilde at one of his 'famous- Chelsea coteries. "I will, WilSe," camo from the other side of the. room. 'IThe Queen! " "She's no subject," eamo back the flashing retort. • One,reads of a Judge Bacon who was trying a culprit named Hogg for sheep stealing. The accused, having little else to. say,.endeavoured to save himself by a jest. A Bacon, he pleaded, should be merciful to a Hogg as his kinsman. But the Judge pointed out that the hog did not become bacon • until it had been hung.. This calls to mind one :of the wittiest mots attributed to Curran. .He was sitting, at a supper party in Dublin opposite. a famous hanging Judge— Lord .Clannell. According to .the. fashion of that period, the-dishes were; all set .oil ithe table at the same time,, the guests-helping themselves -and .each other. "Is that hung be.e£-. next ■ you, Curran?" asked Clannell, to which Cur - ran .quickly.retorted: "Try.it, my lord,and it's sure to.be." v . -..;: .•■

With all his bonhomie, there • was few men who know.how \ to rebuke unwarranted familiarity with more skill and incision than King-Edward VIL "How much is.tea?"-heinquirctl'of a' soeipty dame in charge of •refr.eshinciits. at) a.West. End; bazaar, ;whichvhc.; was visiting when Prince of >Wales< , "Five, shillings, sir," she replied. Then, pouring out the tea, she'touched tho.>cup wtih her lips, .and added:; "Now it's a guinea, yonr Royal Highness.", The Prince, so runs the story, immediately paid tho foe, saying-as.he did so,,"Now let,mo have a clean: cup,'please." . : To administer oblique reproofs- , one needs as pretty a wit as that of r PopO' Leo XIII. The Pope used to amuse himself at the opening of, large mixed audiences by identifying' the groups in tho hall according to their nationalities, and it was his habit' to confirm his guesses by occasional, questions to pilgrims as ho passed them. Corning "to one group, ho asked a man whether he was French. "I, have the honour, .to. bo French, Holy Father," was his loud reply." "Gently, gently,'my son," the Pope.admonished smilingly, with a fln.ger.to his lips; "not quite so. loudly. It would'bo'cruel,to those who.have not that honour." : 'V .. ....' ' ...