Turning the Tables.
There is a story of a noble lord who gave his friend a golden snuff box, in the cover of which an ass' head was painted. Not much flattered by this present, and wishing to turn the tables on the author of the joke, the recipient took out the ass, and inserted instead the portrait of the lord.
The next day at dinner he, as if by accident, put his box on the table. The lord, who wished to amuse his guests at the expanse of his friend, made mention of the snuff box, and aroused the curiosity of those around him.
A lady asked to see ifc. Ifc was passed to her. She opened it and exclaimed :
" Perfect ! It is a striking likeness ! Indeed, my lord, it is one of the best portraits of you I have ever seen."
The lord was naturally much embarrassed at the joke, which he thought was so hard upon him. While he was reilecting on the inoffensiveness of it the lady passed the box to her neighbour, who made similar remarks about it. The snuff box thus went round the table, each one expatiating upon the resemblance. The nobleman was much astonished at this course of thiDgs, and began to grow not a little indignant ; but when it came to his turn to look, he had to join in the laughter, too, and acknowledge that his friend had got the best of him.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18900508.2.117.6
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 8 May 1890, Page 42
Word Count
243Turning the Tables. Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 8 May 1890, Page 42
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