Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-08-22

9ailg Sirsiuiaa.
A Reporters Joke.

ted Parliamentary reporter. attached to tho Lon
don Mo'aiag Chroaicie some fifty years ngo, was
as remarkable for his honor as his professional
ability. Whenever any ono offended Morgan, or
got out Of favor with him. he invariably retaliated
in the way Of some practical joke, that generally
placed his antagonist in q very ridiculous posi-
tion, and afforded the humorist satisfaction.
In this way ho once "sot even" with two iudivid.
uals at the same time, who had excited his ire
namely, the celebrated Vilbcrforce. then n lead
ing member Of the opposition In Parliament, and
one Jack Finnertv, a Parliamentary reporter of
tho Morning Herald. Finnerty was fresh from
Tipperary, and quito unacquainted with tho chnr-
acteristics of tho did.ront members OF Parliament
but he received good dcal Of generous profess
sional assistance ut the outset of his career from
Morgan O'Sullvan. On tho occasion now refer.
rcd to. Finnery came into the reporters gallery.
ut period of nj sht when the debates seemed to
have slackened, he concluded to take dozc ON
wake him up If anything lively came before tho
House, and tlcreupon went of to sleep. Present.
ly MIR. Wilberforee got upon his legs, and address
scd n very thrilling speech before the lllusc.
As he progressed, mischicvous iden seized
Morgan OSullivan, which, assoon MS Wilberfnrce
sat down, he proceeded to put ia practice thus -
Rousng Finnerty from his slumber on tho bench
cs, OSulliyan exclaimed. Jack, Wilheriorcr
has just made an extraordinary speech" What
ahout?' returned Finncrty, rubbing his eyes,
About the potato; the effect of it on naional Vi
vacity-thc great virtues of il rs nm article of pop
ular diet; proved that the finest kind Of men
reared on it. far superior 10 the English" "Wil-
lerforce said that. did he?" exclaimed Finner
ty; ''come let me take his remarks in full from
your notes" With pleasure. my dear fellow"
replied OSullyan, who commenced MS If ronding
from notebook, whilst Finncrty eagerly wrote
af,er him, in the following vein MIR. Wilbcr
force then rmphniicnly remarked that it always
appeared 10 him beyond question, that The gront
cause why the Irish laborers as body. we've 10
much s,roa ger and capable OF enduring so much
more fatigue than the English, arose from the sur
passing virtues of their potato" "That's what
call eloqucnce, interrupted Jack Finnerty. Nor
gan resumed "And | have no doubt continued
NJ. Wilberlorcc) that had il been my LOT to have
been born and reared in Ireland, when my food
would have principally consisted ol that inesimn.
hc root, instead Of being the poor, infr,n, shrvcl.
led nnd stunted creature you, sir. and honorable
gentlemen behold me- wonld have been n stout
athletic, handsome man. nblc u carry nh enor
nous wcigh,.' "Wcll DONE Wilbcrorcc." ex.
claimc Jack, in high gec; go on, Morgun."-
O'Snlivan then proceeded in the same vein
of lahos and nbsurdity, but ndroitly kccping
within the bounds. that Fnnerty's ctedulity
would swallow, until he Ind placed n most whim.
sca' 81 cech in the mouth If the grave and cnrnest
Wilherforce. Finnery, with many expressions
Of thanks to his brother reporter, started for the
II toH Office
On his WY. turning into II tavern close ly the
House of Commons. where n number If reporters
Of the different morning papers were r"gnlins
themselves. here Jack furnished them all with
copies of "Wilbcriorce's speech" and tho hoax
.und it, way the next m.,rning int, every paper
in London, with tho exception of tho Morning
Ni0ncte Il which, as matter uf course, the
correct report was furnished by O'Suliiyan. The
public were nsteundcd at The extraordinary