SEVERELY PRACTICAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 34, 26 August 1893, Page 131

SEVERELY PRACTICAL.

It was the fate of a practical and patriotic Scotsman of Rochester to assist at a meeting of a certain improvement society, the while a Shakespearean scholar dilated upon the virtues of his favourite writer. At the close of the meeting the stranger approached the lecturer, and the following dialogue ensued :— ‘ Ye think a fine lot o’ Shakespeare, doctor?’ • I do, sir,’ was the emphatic reply. ‘ An’ ye think he was mair clever than Rabbie Burns?’ • Why, there’s no comparison between them.’ • Maybe no, but ye tell us the nicht it was Shakespeare who wrote, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Now, Rabbie would never hae written sic nonsense as that.’

‘ Nonsense, sir I’ thundered the indignant doctor ?’ * Aye, just nonsense. Rabbie would hae kent fine that a king, or a queen either, disna gang to bed wi’ the croon on their head. They hang it ower the hack o’ a chair I’