Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-11
Anecdotes OF Some Noted Men.

As Sheridan Knowles was walking one
day with brother dramatist, he was ac-
c0sted by gentleman in these terms
You're pretty fellow, Knowles after
fixing your own day and hour to dine with
US. you never made your appearance. 81
couldn't help it, upon my honor" replied
Knowles. How are you all at home p
oh, quite well, thank you but come,
now. will you name another day and keep
your word?' Il will-sure | will"
. Well, what day ?" " Shall We say
Thursday next ?" g Yes. Thursday be it,"
" At six ?" "I'll be there punctually
My love to 'em all" The friend departed,
and Knowles. relinking his arm with that
of Bernard, said d" Who's that chap -
not having the least idea of the name or
residence of the man he had promised to
| dine with. or the interesting family" to
whom be had sent his love.
In his last illness, poor Hood was reduced
to a skeleton. As he noticed very large
mustard poultice which Mrs. Hood was
making for him he exclaimed i" Oh,
Mary that will be a great deal of mus
tard to a very little meat -
Shortly before his death. being visited by
a clergyman, whose features as well as Ian
guage were more lugubrious than consol-
ing, Hood looked at him compassIonately
aud said &: - My dear sir, I'm afraid your
religion doesn't agree with you
A gentleman in company with DR.. john
son, TO some of the usual arguments for
drinking, added this; " You know, sir,
drinking drives away care and makes Us
forget whatever is disagreeable- Would
you not allow man to drink for that rea-
son ~ johnson replied " Yes, si-. if he
sat nigh you ~
Sydney Smith, in speaking of q certain
Journey. said " Most people sulk in stage
coaches, | always talk. On one occasion Il
gentleman in the coach with me suddenly
looked out of the window as We approach
ed York and said There is very clever
man, but devilish odd fellow. lives near
here-Sydney Smith, | believe lie may
be an odd fellow said |, taking off my hat
to him, and dare say he Is, but odd as
he is, he Is here. very much at your service
Poor man ! thought he would have sunk
into his boots, but thought better to tell
him at once, or he might proceed to say
| had murdered my grandmother, which !
must have resented, you KNOW
The same witty reverend was 50 aware OF
the badness of his writing that in a letter
TO friend who wished to see one Of his ser
mons he says | would send 1t 10 YOU
with pleasure. but my writing Is az ii
smarm of ants. escaping from an ink bottle,
had walked over a sheet OF paper without
wiping their legs"
When at Anxonne, Napoleon and some
officers were quartered at the house OF
barber Napoleon shat himself in his room
and devoted himself to study. The other
young officers amused themselves by CO.
quoting with the BARRIERS pretty vile, no
was much annoyed that her charms had no
power 10 draw Napoleon from his studies.
Afterwards, when IN command OF the army
In Italy, Napoleon passed through Anx-
onne on bis way to MarengO. lie stopped
at the BARRIERS door and asked the hostess
it she remembered young officer by the
name OF Bonaparte, who once qusrtered In
her family. " Indeed do, she replied
pettishly, and very disagreeabls young
man he wa. He twas always shut IN ms
room and never condescendet 10 speak 10
any one"
" All my good woman, Napoleon re-
joined, - had | passed my time as you
wished | should Rot now have been in com
maud OF the army OF Italy"