Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-02-29

On somebody remarking that Payne Knight
had become very deat-'lt is from want OF
practice. replied Rogers; 'hc is the worst lis
teuer know
AN old gentleman, asleep before the fire.
was awakened by the catter of the lire-irons
at his feet "Wha going to bed without
one kiss I" he exclaimed. lie mistook one
noise Tor another.
when Dean NJ observed in my hearing
that he should read no more prose transla-
tons from poets, s,-"W hat :" | exclaimed,
'not the psalms of David to your congrcga-
tion -
That was happy reply of Sydney smith
When began to light my dinner-table from
the reflection on the pictures about me. was
not very successful. The light was thrown
above the table, and not on it. asked sgd
ney what he thought of the attempt. We were
at dinner at the time. Il do not like 1t at all,
was his reply; all is light above, and all be-
low is darkness and gnashing of teeth
i was pleased with what saw you about
thi, morning. he observed once at Broad
stairs to an artist, who naturally expected
from sucn a commencement, some reference
to the lubors Of his pencil; Il was greatly
pleased: ! saw you brushing your own coat.
4 ceutlcman who can brush his own coat is
vcrv independent.
Sir Waiter Scott told me this story, and as
I c,tied it down soon after, will read 1t to
TO you
There was hoy in my class at school who
stood always at the top, nor could with all
my effort, .uprlant him. Day came after
day. and still he kept hi, place, do what !
would. till at length ! observed that when
question was asked him he always tumblcd
with his fingers at a particular button in the
lower part of his waistcoat. To remove it,
therefore, became cxI eIicnt in my eyes; and
in an evil moment it was removed with
knife. Great was my anxiety to know the
success Of my measure; and 1t succeeded too
well
Nv hen the boy was again questioned his
finer. sought again for the button, but it
was not to be found. In his distress lie
looked down for it il was to be seen no more
tlun to be felt. lie stood couiounded. and
took possession Of his place, nor did he
ever recover it. or ever, believe, suspect
who was the author oi his wrong. often
in altcr-lile has the sight of him smote me as
| 1usscd by him. and often have resolved
to make him some rcparation but 1t ended
in good resolutions. Though never renewed
my acquaintance with him, often saw hlm,
for he filled some inferior Office in one OF the
courts Of law at Edinburgh. Poor fellow
believe he is dead he took early to
drinking
This. tho writer of these imperfect memo
randa one, observed to him was hardly orr
rinnl. AN he exclaimed, evidently SUR
priscd, and with an air Of doubt | then
asked for copy Of the Spectator, an! read as
follows
.When was a young man, and use to frc-
,uont Wcstninister.hau. there was a coun-
III r
in his hand which he used to twist
about a tluinh or n finger all the while he
wa. spe,kinc. The wars of those DAYS used
Ia cali it the thread Of his discourse, for he
was NOT all, to utter word without it.
One of Ai, clients. who was moro merry than
wise. stole it from him one day in the midst
Of his nlcadlnr but he had better have let it
aIono. for he lost his cause by his lest
IIc mad, n mark in the volume. and said
with a smile. i will saw what sydney Smith
always sajd when hc heard a good thing for
the first tine-.6ooked.'
"Sheri,lan told me that he was aware
ne OUGHT to have made love scene between
CLars, and Mania in the school for Sean
dal' and would have done it. but that the
actors who rlayed the parts were not able to
do Justice t. such scene
i met Sheridan yerv often, but never in
hi. own house
Whenever Lady Holland hear. that per
son of anv consequence has said an i'll word
Other. She Immediately invites him to din
ner.
Mr. West told me that Beckford called
upon him before he went to Spain to borrow
two small ricturps to take in his carriage
with him wherever he went. and the two nc
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