Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-11-19
READY WIT.
Many Good Examples of Answers
That Turn Away Wrath.

Many Good Examples of Answers
That Turn Away Wrath.
AS a specimen Of ready wit 1t would
be difficult to beat the retort Of Charles
Burleigh, the great opponent Of the
slave trade. He was in the middle Of
one Of his eloquent denunciations Of
slavery, when we'll aimed and rotten
egg struck him full in the face.
"This," he said, calmly, as he pro-
duced his handkerchief and wiped his
face, "is striking evidence Of what I
have always maintained, that pro-sla-
very arguments are unsound."
The late John Bright was frequently
happy in repartee. Once, in the course
Of speech, which was punctuated by
Interruptions. he was saying: "Per-
sonally, do not feel disposed to wage
war against these Philistines." when an
unruly member Of his audience shout
ed. "He-haw!" "If, however" Mr..
Bright continued, without pause, "my
friend at the back Of the hall will lend
me one of his jaws, I shall be encour-
aged to reconsider my attitude, in view
Of the historic success of Samson when
provided with a similar weapon"
A good example of the witty answer
that turns away wrath was furnished
by the Abbe de Voisenon, who had been
unfortunate enough to offend the great
Conde and to lose his favor. When the
Able went to court to make his peace
with the offended prince the latter
rudely turned his back on him.
Thank, Heaven, sir" the Abbe ex-
claimed, II have been misinformed;
your highness does not treat me as II
I were an enemy"
"Why do you say that?" the prince
demanded.
because, SIR" answered the Able,
your highness never turns your back
on an enemy"
The great Duke Of wellington an
swered q similar insult with equal, II
more curshing, cleverness. When the
French king introduced one Of his field
marshals to Wellington the field mar
shal turned his back on his former enc
my and conqueror. Louis Philippe was
naturally indignant, and apologized to
the duke for such rude behavior.
pray, forgive him, sir" the Iron
Duke said, quietly; II am afraid 1t was
who taught him to do that in the
Peninsula"
M. Grevy, when French president,
once extricated himself from pre-
dicament with wonderful presence Of
mind. He was being conducted around
the salon by an eminent artist when he
saw a painting which displeased him.
what a daub!" he exclaimed;
whose is it?"
"That picture, M. lie President" said
his cicerone, "is my own work."
"Ah!" said the president without any
sign of embarrassment at his awk-
ward mistake, "in our country, when
we particularly wish to purchase a
thing, we always begin by running 1t
down." and true to his part, he pur-
chased the offending painting there and
then.
The late Sir Francis Lockwood had
few superiors in. the art Of repartee.
The genial lawyer was tall man, and
for some reason. not altogether trans
parent, an unruly member Of his audi
ence once called out to him In the mid
die of his speech, "Go it, telescope!"
my friend is mistaken in applying
that term to me-" Sir Francis quietly
said; he ought to claim it for himself;
for, though he cannot draw me out, I
think I can both see through him and
shut him up"
On another occasion one Of his politi-
cal opponents rudely called out In the
middle Of a speech: "All lawyers are
rogues."
IT am glad" Sir Frank politely re-
Joined, ito greet this gentleman as
member Of my profession, but he need
not proclaim our shortcomings to the
world"
Equally prompt and happy was the
retort Of a youthful looking member
of parliament who was advised by a
bibulous member Of one of his audi
ences to "go home to his mother"
IT think" the young candidate said.
my friend might follow his own ad-
vice with advantage, for he does not
seem to have outgrown his affection for
the bottle" ."-Baltimore Sun.