Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-20
w 1T O f A l. l.
n A ITO n S
By Helen Leah Reed


between them. We may agree with Locke
and Addison that wit and humor consist in
finding resemblanCes in unlike ideas to delight
and surprise the hearer, or with the French
man who called wit fusion of smiles and tears.
Whatever our definitions, we Americans always
are ready to appreciate wit and humor, ready
in fact that likely to smile before the
witticism has been actually uttered. But
beyond all other proofs of our own wit is the
fact that periodical repartee makes up
almost the complete contents of more than
one funny journal across the water.
Undoubtedly many of gems
not wholly indigenous to our own soil. Old
bulls in new clothes are as mirth-provoking
to a succeeding generation as to that IN which
they originated-provided only that the
clothes are modern and ample
In a brief space one cannot give examples of
the more elaborate forms of wit and perhaps
after all repartee displays most clearly the
essence of national wit. The boundary of
Sparta is the point of our spears, said Agesi-
laus. and at once we feel the spirit of ancient
Greece.
Although the English press, when it tries to
be funny, borrows its Jokes from us, this
should not bind us to the fact that there
is such a thing English humor. In
delicate repartee, for example, l not
sure that the English do not surpass
But really to enjoy any of the much-quoted
b0ns mots, should suspect their
truthfuness, far-as the persons to whom
they attributed concerned
Why should we doubt that Lord Bacon,
for example, a prodigy of a courtier
when a small boy he answered Queen
Elizabeth's inquiry as to his age: Two years
older than Your majestys happy reign"
1t is to the eighteenth and nineteenth CEN
turtles, however that turn for most OF our
gems of repartee. ~
"A certain physician comforted a woman
(knowing her to be we'll past thirty who
complained that she was near her thirtieth
birthday, with: oh well do not fret you'll
get farther away from it every day"
1t was Swift who warned friend who was
extolling the air of overtaxed Ireland: Hushl
If they hear you say that, they'll certainly
tax the air"
That pea will never come to perfection,
remarked young woman walking through
garden with Sidney Smith.
Then let me lead perfection to the pea
and he gallantly offered her his arm.
Marriage" said Smith, is like pair of
shears, 50 joined that they cannot be separated,
moving in opposite directions, yet Furnishing
everything that comes between them"
Charles" asked Coleridge of his old
friend Lamb, did you ever hear me preach?"
Il never heard you do anything else" was
the answer.
It's a shame to spoil two good things, said
Charles Lamb, when spoke of mixing
brandy and water.
Have you sufficient confidence to lend
a guinea'" asked Dibdin the younger of
Ierrold
"Oh, yes, I've all the confidence; but |
haven't the guinea"
hear you make pun any sub
ject, said woman to the irresistible Fox.
Make on King"
King is no subject" promptly replied
the joker
Il don't why that tune haunts me
constantly" complained dull man who was
always humming.
Because you forever numbering it"
came the quick reply from Foote.
How can the blind be happy" asked
some one in the hearing of Charles Matthews.
Because they reason why not
Theodore Hook replied to some one who
asked him to contribute to a society for the
of he 7 l,,,