The Irish standard., 1918-10-12
Irish Wit and
elaius Of John
PhiIpot curran

Many and varied are the traditional
anecdotes, adventures, puns, happy re-
torts and good things generally, which
have received currency from their be-
ing the actual or reputed offspring of
the wit and genius of John Philpot
Currau, passing on from one genera
ton to the following in scattered
"reminiscences and books of general
anecdote. We do not know of any
volume which processes to contain the
bulk of these happy illusions of one
of the very brightest of the children
of Irish wit and gayety; yet such a
book would be we'll worth while.
He was born at Newmarket, in Cork
County, on July "a, 1850; became a
lawyer by profession, ultimately at
tanning to the position of Master of
the Rolls; and he lived until October
Ia, 1917. He was a small man in
stature, had dark complexion, and
was noted for the brilliancy and at
Effectiveness of two very brightly
sparkling and noticeable eyes.
OF his childhood and boyish days
some few anecdotes survive; such as
the following:
The keeper of street puppet-show
arrived at Newmarket, to the no small
editication of the neighborhood; and
the feats of Mr.. Punch, and the elo-
quence of his man, soon, superseded
every other attraction.
At length, however, Mr.. Punch's
man fell ill, and the whole establish
ment was threatened with immediate
ruin. Little Curran, who had, with his
eyes and ears, deyoured the puppet-
show, and never missed the corner of
it's exhibition, proposed himself to the
manager, as Mr.. Punch's man. The
offer was gladly accepted, and the sue
cess of the substitute was miraculous.
At length, before one of the most
crowded audiences, he began to eX-
patiate upon village politics; he de-
scribed the fairs, told the wake Sc
| crets, caricatured the audience; and,
after disclosing every amour, and de-
| failing every scandal, turned with in
finite ridicule upon the very priest of
the parish.
There was general cutlery. Every
| man and maid who laughed at their
neighbours picture, and pretended not
to recognize their own, We're out
| rageously scandalized at such famil-
iarity with the clergy. BY one and all,
sentence of Punishment was pro-
nounced on Mr.. Punch. He was hon.
orable, however, in his concealment of
the substitute, whose prudence pre-
vented any solicitation for such a dam
gerous celebrity
| After his admission to the bar, when
| he lived in the Irish metropolis at a
name. of Hog Hill, he used to say that
| his wife and children were the chief
furniture of his apartments; and, as to
| his rent, it stood pretty much the
same chance of liquidation as the Ma
tional Debt. Mrs. Curran, however,
was barrister's lady, and what she
should be supplied by dignity. The
landlady, on the other hand, had no
idea Of graduation except that of
pounds, shillings and pence.
One morning, Curran walked out to
avoid the usual alteration upon the
subject. He had family for whom
he had no dinner; and landlady for
| whom he had no rent. He had gone
abroad in dependence; he returned
| home in desperation. When he opened
the door of his study, the first object
which presented itself was an i'm
mense folio Of brief, with twenty
guineas wrapped up beside it, and the
back of it. Uyons was a Dublin at
torney) Curran instantly paid his
landlady, bought dinner, gave Rob
ert Lyons share of it; and from that
dinner dated the barristers prosper
ity.
In an action brought by Catholic
priest against Lord Doneraile, at the
Cork Assizes, Mr.. Curran had to cross
examine Mr.. st. Leger, brother Of the
defendant, and, as it was his object tc
depreciate his evidence, he had de
scribed him in very gross and insult
ing language in his speech. In doing
so he had, however, not mentioned his
name. When Mr.. st. Leger came tc
the table, and took the Testament III
his hand. the plaintiffs counsel, in 8
tone of affected respect, addressed
him, saying: ooh, Mr.. St. Leger, the
jury will, I am sure, believe you with
out the ceremony of swearing you
xo,,r ~, M o+or x,y;11 3,,e<if., TIC fro,,, t.,