Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-08-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
ROYAL JOKING.
rur IarKnon PAUL Axp YRosrnr

EMPEROR PAUL AMI IROGEuE.
Frogere was 4 French actor at the
Russian Court and on terms Of great
familiarity with his Majesty, making
Jokes for him, and being the subject OF
his jokes in return. The annexed re
iat'on vii! show that the latter depart
ment was not always the pleasantest.
New York Atlas.
Modern refinement has abolished
the Office Of Kings Jester, or Court
Fool; but although there is no longer
any acknowledged siipendiary dignifi-
ed with that title, yet, in more Euro.
pean Courts than one, the duties Of the
office arc sedulously performed by some
loyal volunteer hearing the honorary
distinction Of BWi. In point Of res.
psctability, however, the professors Of
The olden time had the advantage, in
asmuch IA there are upon record seve-
raj hard hits given by the FOOLS 10 tie
wise men, or Kings; whereas in the
case OF the modern amttear, the give
snd.takc is not fairly diyided-the
gipe being all on the side Of the mas.
ter, and the take on that Of the man.
The companion of crowned head
stands in q similar pfcdicament with
the lap-dog in the lions den, or rather
IN that OF Ali Pacha's pet lion with
Ali himself; the fc.ocious and tyrani.
cal Ali would take whatever liberties
lie pleased with the lion. but he never
would permit the lion 10 take the
slightest freedom with him. nc invari.
ably resented any attempt to abuse, by
too great familiarity, his coutlescen-
sion; and, upon such occasions. would
presently teach his shaggy associate
10 remember that, though tolerated Tor
his masters amusement, he was but a
lion after all. Upon re-considering
the point. doubt the aptness Of this
second illustration. European mon
arohs are not Ali Pachas, nor are their
butts lions. Fsogere, however. as
have been assured upon other auihori-
" besides his own, was not the mere
butt of his Imperial patron. but really
was upon terms Of more equal famiIia-
rty with him than IL might be suppos.
cd man in his station would have been
admitted 10.
Yet easy and pleasant as was the
friendship which tor so long n time sub
sisted between these two eminent per-
sonsges, il did once happen that the
player was provided with leisure aud
opportunity for considering the impOr-
tant Observation-Disclosures il be altoge.
Their prudent or safe 10 make very free
indeed with an Emperor Of all the Rus
.ias' Al supper one evening, 1t the
Emperor's table, some one present took
occasion 10 pay the illusiriOus host a
compliments az the expense Of Peter
The Great. The Emperor turning to
frogere, said, This is really robbing
Peter to pay Paul: sis hardly fair. is
1t, Frogere :'-'Quite the reverse, Sire,
replied the actor; for the reputation
your Majesty will leave behind YOU
NIll hsrdiy tempt any one 10 ROB Paul
IN return Now. salthoogh this was
almost as good a thibgas any one need
wish TO say, Il somehOu happened that
hiss Majesty did not appear TO be in
The least tickicd by IL; and ~ hi,
Majesty did not condesceDl 10 honor
u with his Imperial laugh, no one els,
could presume 10 notice it by such :
SYMPTOM Of appreciation. In fact a.,
Joke, with all its merit. was total lsi
iarej at which nobody was 40 mucl
a''onisbed as the perpeEaior Of il him