Worcester daily spy., 1859-05-09
WIT AND HUMoR.

ADDIsoN's DEFINGTIoN.-A Jest is never
uttered with better grace than when it is ac-
companled with a serious countenance When
pleasant thought plays in the features before
1t discovers itself in words, it raises too great
an expectation and loses the advantage of Civ
ing surprise. Wit and humor are no less poor
ly recommended by levity of phrase, and
that kind of levity which may be distinguish
ed by the name. Of cant Ridicule is never
more strong than when it is concealed in gray
Ity. True humOr lies in the thought and
rises from the representation of images III odd
circumstances and uncommon lights A pleas
ant thought strikes us by the force of its nat
ural beauty and the mirth of it is generally
rather palled than heightened by the ridiculous
phraseology which is so much in fashion
among the pretenders to humor and pleasant
ry This tribe of men are like our mounte-
banks they make man a wit by putting him
LII fantastic habit.
Miss MILFORD AND HER TURBAN.-In his
Lectures on Authors" Mr.. S. C. Hall tells
good story of Miss Mary Russell Milford.
Round and fat in person, she was what Lord
Byron called "a dumpy woman" and Miss
Landon had described her as "Sancho Pallza
in pettlcoats Her face, like her figure was
broad and round, but pleasant and good hui
mored, and indicative rather of intelligence
than Of genius. OF the art of dress she knew
nothing. On her way to an evening party at
the lecturers house, she purchased a most un-
becoming yellow turban, which caused her to
be for some time an object of merriment to the
whole room, owing to the fact of the shopkeep-
er from whom she had bought it having for
gotten to remove from behind it large ticket
bearing the p inted inscription, Every chaste.
Only 5s. Cd"
A boy complained of his brother for taking
halt of the bed. "And why not 2" said his
mother; "he's entitled to half amt he 2"
eyes, ma'am, said the boy ''but how should
youlke to have him take out all the soft for
his half? He will have his half out Of the
middle, and | have to sleep on both sides of
him."
GENTLEMAN AND NO GENTLEMAN.-Th
late Vicar of Sheffield, the Rev. DR.. Sutton,
once said to the late Dr. Peech, a veterinary
surgeon "Mr Peech, how is it that you have
not called upon me for your account z" 60"
said Mr.. Peech, 81 never ask gentleman for
money" "Indeed, said the vicar, "then how
do you get on if he cont pay 2" "Why," re-
piled Mr.. Peech, "atter certain time CON
clude that he is not gentleman, and then |
ask him.
The WAY They MANAGE THE PosT OFFICE
AT RoME.-A comedian recently applied for a
letter at the post office, and was told there was
forty cents to pay for it. 81 can't pay that"
said he, "for l know what's in it." "Well,
how much will you give % asked the post
master. "Four sous is all that it is worth to
me" said the comedian. "Well, take it,
then" replied the postmaster, 'for I've read it,
and it's only a love letter"
"Talking of getting good deal out of a lit
tie piece OF land" exclaimed Simson. "why 1
bought an acre of old Mr. Ross, planted one
acre of it with potatoes, and the other in corn"
81 thought you said you bought only one acre,
Simson :" remarked the listener chow could
you plant two!" every easily, sir; 1 stood
it up on the end and planted both sides of it"
A French magistrate noted for his love of
the pleasures of the table, speaking one day to
friend, said 1--WE have just been eating a
superb turkey it was excellent, stuffed with
truff1es to the neck, tender, delicate, and of
high flavor. We left only the bones" GLOW
many of you were there :" said his friend.
"Two," replied the magistrate "the turkey
and myself"
"The quarrel between Gray and me-" said
Horace Walpole, "arose from his being too Sc
rious companion" In my opinion, this was
a good ground for cutting the connection.
What right has any one to be 'too serious
companion Z"