Words and Phrases.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 6

Words and Phrases.

£JLEVER RETORTS are usually thought of too late. Repartee, indeed, is the highest order of wit, because it bespeaks the coolest and quickest exercise of genius at a moment when the passions are roused. Cotton tells the story of Voltaire who, hearing the name of Haller mentioned to him by an English traveller at Ferney, burst into a violent panegyric upon him. His visitor told him that such praise was most disinterested, for that Haller by no means spoke so highly of him. “ Well, well, n’importe,” replied Voltaire, “ perhaps we are both mistaken." Soon after the Boer War a speaker sought to interest a public meeting in South African affairs. “ There’s nothing wrong with South Africa," he averred. “ All it wants is a better type of settler and a better water supply.” “ Yes.” exclaimed a member of the audience, “ and that’s all that’s wrong with hell!" At an election meeting in England an interrupter said:—"You say there is a lot of unemployment. I deny that. How do you account for the fact that my sister, who lives here, cannot get a man to saw her logs?” Instantly, the candidate retorted: "I refuse to answer your question until I have seen your sister!" TOUCHSTONE.