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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 844, 25 May 1867, Page 4

Smart Rep abtee.— Some years ago two doctors of the State of Massachusetts met on the highway ; one of them, with somewhat rubicund face, riding in a rickety old one-horse chaise, aDd the other in a handsome carriage, newly painted and varnished in a very good style. " Doctor," said the first, "I have a more extensive and lucrative practice than you, and yet I can't afford to ride in anything better than this old affair, while you have, as I see, a nice carriage, newly painted. Will you explain to me how this can be bo ?" — " Oh, certainly," replied the other 5 "that's easily done. It doesn't cost half as much to«paint my carriage as It do:s It pnint your face 1" One of Sydney Smith's Practical Jokes. — The Vicar of Edmonton was dead ; his son had been hia curate, and the family were preparing to leave the house that was endeared to them by holy memories and happy associations. It is a melancholy fate to which the families of all clergymen are subjected, while it is rarely, indeed, that out of a narrow income, with numerous responsibilities, money has been saved to obtain another. While they were grieving — hopelessly and fruitlessly it seemed — enters the Canon of St. Paul's (the Rev. Sydney Smith.) Present the son and three delicate daughters. The widow was ill — ill of sorrow gone and sorrow to come. Mr. Smith began by asking the character of a servant who was leaving them, making that appear as a motive for his visit. After a while he said, " It is my duty to tell you that I have given away the living of Edmonton, and I am sure the new vicar will appoint his own curate." There was a mournful look, but the blow was expected. "" Oddly enough," continued Mr. Smith, "his name is the same as yours; have you any relations of that name ?" There was a melancholy answer—" No !" — " By a still more singular coincidence his Christian name is the same — Thomas Tate." A gleam of hope passed into the group. "In fact," said he, " there is no use in mincing the matter ; you are the Thomas Tate and Vicar of Edmonton." They burst into tears, cried from excess of joy, and the burly canon of St. Paul's wept with' them — happy tears, mingled with merry laughter. — Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall, in the Art Journal.