The Sun.
London, England, 1833-07-31 00:00:00

ANECDOTES OF SIR T. MAITLAND.

HIS RECEPTION OF COLONEL NAPIER.
When I first went to the lonian Islands, I was ushered
into his Excellency's presence. H I
was alone, walking
up and down in his drawing room ; male my bow, and
hardly recovered my perpendicular position, when he
stopped short, and, turning to me, said, Who the devil are
you?" " Colonel Napier." "Oh ! was it you or your
brother, that was on my behalf, at York?" "My brother,
Sir." " Umph !" Then be added jokingly, " I hope you
are not such a scoundrel as your predecessor, M. de Bus-
set?" " I have not as yet been discovered, and in the
mean time, your Excellency will, I hope, excuse my
making any confidential communications on that point."
" You are right there. Well, now go away," and if you
will dine with me I shall be glad to see. you.
ODDITY OF SIR THOMAS MAITLAND,, LORD HIGH COM,

BIISSIONER. OF THE lONIAN ISLANDS.
When the lonian Parliament was about to meet, Sir
Thomas had prepared a speech, by making various people,
at different times, write from his dictation, as he walked
about his room. When this was done, he gave it to Sir
Frederick Hankey, to have it translated into Italian (the
language spoken in the Legislative Assembly at Corfu).
The day of meeting came, and Hankey, who was to read
the speech to the Parliament, had prepared a printed copy,
to do so correctly, and with more ease. Maitland (who
had observed his secretary's preparations to read distinctly),
just as the moment arrived, and when all were on the tip-
toe of expectation, said, " Hankey, let me look at the
speech." Sir Frederick Hankey gave it to him; upon
which Sir Thomas drew from his pocket the crumpled,
scratched, original version in which the confusion of
hands was as bad as that of the tongues at the building of
Babel, and thrust it into Hankey's hands, saying, "There,
Sir, read that" (in his strong voice and Scotch accent).
There was no time for, had there been any use in, expos-
tulation; and Sir Frederick Hankey was obliged to de-
cipher, and translate as be best could, this '6 writing on
the wall," which might have puzzled any man but the
Prophet, or Hankey. What his humour for playing this
trick was, is not easy to conjecture.
On another occasion, the Senate having been assem-
bled in the saloon of the palace (their usual place of meet-
ing), waiting, in all form, for his Excellency's appear-
ance, the door slowly opened, and Sir Tliornas walked
in, with the fallowing articles of clothing upon him
namely--
One shirt, which, like Tam O'Sbanter's friend,
sark,"

" cutty

" In longitude was sorely scanted."
One red night cap.
One pair of slippers.
The rest of his Excellency's person was divested of gar-
ments. In this state he walked into the middle of the
saloon, with his hands behind him, looked round at the
assembled senators, and then said, addressing the sew.
tary of the Senate, " Hang them, S—y ! Tell the!' all
to go to —;" and walked back to his room, with a
grunt. I give this story as I heard it, and it is too like
Sir Thomas to leave much doubt of its correctness.--
(From Napier's " Colonies and the lonian Islands."

" SWEET IS REVENGE."--Thursday, a
yowl Woman,
in humble life, but ofgood character, was
t
Imp, isoned in Glasgow gaol, for a debt of three shillings e
•
g
Our readers will have some idea of this luxury o th
creditor, when we inform them that to entitle him to its
enjoyment, he must lodge 108. with the gaoler, for the
aliment of his prisoner.... Scotsman.