The herald., 1895-08-07
LUCKY JOKERS
WHO MAD E FORTUNES BY A
SINGLE JEST

Jokers, both professional and amateur.
have occa casiohally had remarkably good
time, and have been very handsomely
paid for their jokes.
Edmund Ironside bestowed upon his
court jester, Hit-hard $50 called from the
force and punishment of his jests), the
manor OF Walworth as re ward of his
happy wit. This fortu nato jester be-
queathed his estate to the Dean and
Chapter of Canterbury cathedral. who
are lords OF the manor to this day.
William the Conquefor gave one OF his
court fools, Golet, the lordshIp, OF three
towns and five manors. Rahere, the min
strel and lester of Henry H., must have
made a. good thing out OF his Jokes. for
he was able to found the monastery and
hospital of st. Bartholomew King
John granted his Jester, William Picculph,
extensive lands on condition that during
his lifetime Picculph should provide his
grace with as much merrimcnt us could
make him laugh
Edward ~. was so delighted with the
jokes of his famous jester. John Scogan,
that he presented him with a fine town
house in Cheapside and country man.
sion at Bury St. Edmunds; while, to
como to modern times. Abdul Bey. who
for sixty years was professional Jester to
successive sultans OF Turkey, died in 1886
worth $50, 900.
But apart from these professional
jokers, there have been amateurs who, by
q single witticism, have made Il lucky hit
which has secured them big prize. One
of these was a clergyman named Noun
taigne, who was private chaplain to
James l., and was on very intimate terms
with his majesty.
The bishopric OF London fell vacant,
and so equal were the conflicting claims
OF the various candidates that the king
was puzzled whom to select. He cunfided
his perplexity to his chaplain, who gave
him this ready and witty advice: Sire,
the scripture will tell you how to acts for
doth it not say. If We have faith and
shall sav to this Mountaigne, Be thou re-
moved. and be thou cast into the See, it
shall be done. The king WAS SO pleased
with this apt and arch suggestion that be
acted upon it, and Mountaigne was made
bishop OF London.
About ten years ago there died a witty
clergyman who owed the rich living OF
which be was long incnm bent to lucky
pun. He was tutor to the son of noble
man, and had not long taken orders
when he attended the funeral of the rector
OF the parish in which the nobleman's
seat was situated. The father of his pupil
was patron of the living, and was also
present at the funeral of the deceased
rector. There was a young clergyman
there whose grief was so demonstrative
that the noble patron was affected by the
sight. and asked if it were the son of the
late rector.
''Oh, dear no. my lord; no relation at
all, said the tutor
''No relation!" exclaimed the noble
man.
None. my lord he is the curate. and
l think he is not weeping for the dead,
but for the living"
His lordship who was something of
wit and a cynic himself, was SO delighted
with the bon mot that he conferred the
living on the ready punster.
One more instance, III which single
ieu d'esprit brought Its author very
handsome recognition, We may record be-
fore we leave the subject. James Smith,
the elder of the two famous authors of
Rejected Addresses, having one evening
met at dinner party Mr.. Strahan. the
kings printer, who was then much en-
feebled by old age and gout. though his
faculties we're still unimpaired, was so
charmed with the old gentleman's s man
ners and conversation that the next morn
ing he sent him the following lines:
Your lower limbs seemed far from stout
When last l saw you walk
The cause l presently found out,
When you began to talk.
The power that props the boys length,
In due proportion spread.
In you mounts upward, and the strength
All settles in the head.
Mr.. Strahan showed his qualification
and pleasure at the graceful and witty
compliment by immediately executing a
codioil to his will bequeathing the author
$4,000. lid Bits.