The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-03-06
Great Contest of Wit.

Great Contest of Wit.
1t will be seen by The following
"contest of wit" which we copy from
the Picayune, that the wits of the
Crescent City are determined not to be
outdone by the Gnthamites:
The great competition Of all the wits
Of creation for the splendid prizes
offered by Prof. LongboW, took place
last evening. The large saloon was
crowded with fashionble and intelli-
gent audience whose countenances
showed that they we'll knew how to ap-
preciaie real wit The prizes. consist
ing of an elegant pair of carriers, aud
Kossuth hat Of the latest style. were
placed upon a table on the platform.
and were the objects of much curiosity.
Ii was plain that their great value had
excited such desire 10 possess them
that a lively contest was 10 be expected.
We aT hess Fatesa gareat Hill IT nr
EST, from the fact that Ills the identical
one which gave rise TO the expression
'shoni soft qua mai y pe,tse," now in
scribed on the arms of England 1t
was presented TO the ancestor of the
Professor by one of the maids of honor
at court. and has been preserved in the
family as an heir-loom ever since. The
present Queen offered large sum to
obtain it, but the owner refused to part
with it. His offering ii 10 the ladies of
this city is the highest compliment that
could be paid them. We hope the fair
winner will wear it: but not exactly
next her. heart. The hat, as we have
already said, isof the finest description.
and IS ornamented with feather
plucked by Kossuth himself from the
iaii of the douhle-headed eagle Of
Austria, and also from the Turkey un-
der whose protecting wing he was
sheltered in his distress. Twas MANN
factured by Genin expressly 10 order.
Precisely ats o'clock the Professor
entered the room. followed by four at
terdanfs. who carried each hat full Of
condndrums. We are informed that
more thansa thousand were sent In. but
of conrse, they could not all be read
The eonundrums were deposited on the
table, and we must, say thai we never
before saw such a heap Of vii.
According to previous announcement.
committees were appointed to superin-
tend the reading of the conundrums.
and to make a decision on their merits.
Five ladies and five gentlemen were
selected, and with that delicate refine
merlt for which the Professor is so noted.
il was arranged thatthe ladies were to
decide on the effusions of the gentle
men, and the gentlsmen on the produce
tious of the ladies, At half past 8
o'clock precisely the reading COM
menced, aud ii was continued until
3 O'Clock i. NJ. Considera bic fatigue
was manifested by great many, and
we, must say that it was excusable
whenmfhey were compelled TO listen to
such conundrums as the following:
= g What contradiction is there in the
Mosaic account of the deluge n
The answer was that as all animals
were destroyed ontside the ark, il was
impossible forthat vessel to have rested
on e'er-a-rat. lAraratl M
This was supposed 10 have been
offered by some confirmed sceptic. and
il excited universal indignation against
theimpions author Of course he did
not receive the prize. aes
We have not room for more than a
very few of the conundrums which
were read We select those we think |
best, 30 that our readers can form some
idea of what the worst must have been.
Among the first offered was the fol-
lowing - sesss.sae i ~
Why is the telegraph like the do
minion of Russia gu q Because it ex-
tends over the Poles.D
This was succeeded by another of The |
same quality:
What il the most efficient weapon
of the church 2', The Acts (axel of |
the Apestles.n aF sod
Another person, apparently not to be
outdone in pious allpsions, had offered
the following:
naWher did the luck Of Moses begin
10 deseFs hiah a'' srWhsn the tables
wefe turned on Monnt Sinai.H tasa9
The eonnndnm whiehsteok the gem
prize was sent on by the edi-j
tor Of the Boston Post We protested
against the decision, on the ground Of