Year: 1868




If people commit crimes, we can give them
into custody, and SO get rid ofthem. Acqualn-
tanceS who are the slaves of vicious indulgence,
generally take pains to conceal their prOpcnsi
ties, and we are therefore not annoyed by
them but against habitual tricks we are de-
tenceless | once knew an elderly gentleman
who pOked the man he was cOnversing with in
the ribs with great force and sharp fOrefnger,
whenever either said anything which he thought
remarkable. The trick is amusing enough
when represented on the stage, but in reaE lite
and to persons who are ticklsh, it is an insult
ferable nuisance. 1t is an absurd fancy, and
yet | should not like to be buried next to him.


Some persons have trick of winking. |
could mention a most polite and modest young
man who most desperately Offends ladies un-
aware OF his unfortunate habit. The offer,
"Wlll you allow me to give you glass OF
champagne p at ball supper is, taken alone,
a clvlhty; but if accompanied as ten to one
it would be in Browns case, with wink, it
might annoy some ladies into Mysteries, especi-
ally if they were really addicted to a little
stimulant in private.


| 1t is difficult to relinquish tricks Of differ
ent nature gnawing the nails or pen for ex-
ample. L knew a man who used to devour his
pocket -handkerchiefs while reading, until te-
male relative got him to transfer his attention
to an ivory paper cutter, and he positively ate
one in about fortnight Smith, lieutenant
and adjutant of the Hundred and Fittieth,
raised from the ranks for most exceptional
good conduct and heroiSm was anxious beyond
all things to break himself of every habit
which he had picked up in a lower grade of
life. He succeeded most wonderfully; as he
was a gentleman at heart, so he acquired the
manners and the tone of conversation of gen
teman; but one little trick beat him. 1T he
sat down to a rubber, he could not for the life
of him hel p wetting his thumb when he dealt
the cards. Sometimes he would catch himself
doing it, and mutter there | go again" !" But
he never got over it, and consequently declined
to play at whist, of which he was very fond,
when strangers were present. And yet that
man had conquered military routine and SOcla
prejudice An old schO0ltellOw of mine had 4
trick which is mentioned, | think. by Boswell
as having been a popularity of Doctor John
sons the trick of touching things. When he
had reached the door Of a room he was leav
ing, he would return to touch book, tue back
of chair, or a table No matter how great q
hurry he might be in, he Obeyed the impulse
indeed the more hurried and nervous he was
. the stronger it became. When late for school
to which he was running from the house wher
he boarded, | have seen him stop and turl
back three times to touch a tree, though IL
| those days the wasted moments probably re


presented fogging, of which he had an un
wOnted horror. ! have often wondered wha
: became of him as a man.


Tricks of speech are well nigh universal, bu
t as they are for the most part picked up fror
persons among whom we habitualy live, the
} do not attract much attention, unless Gu
Y speaks often in public. A man who has con
: stantly to make speeches ought to guard mo,
, carefully against little peculiarities of dictiOr
e particularly if he be a preacher. There is
/ story told of a clergyman who was constant


using the expression rhyme or reason" lie
: or twenty times in a single sermon he woul
+ bring it in. At last an intimate friend tol
s him privately that the constant recurrence {
e this phrase excited unseemly mirth among hi


listeners and he determined to break himse
e of it. SO he wrote his next sermon out in ful
e instead of making notes only, as had been h
: CUSTOM and was careful to omit the objection
e able phrase How did you like your sermo
+ to-day?' lady was asked on returning troI
# church by chance visitor at her house.
o Every much" she replied. ''There VIZ
: neither rhyme nor reason in it. "-Sun
: Dispatch.