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THE HUMOURIST.-An Epigram.

"In all thy humours, whether grave or mellow,
Thou'rt such a touchy, testy, pleasant fellow,
Hast so much wit and mirth, and spleen about thee,
There is no living with thee, nor without thee."

Applicable or not I must have my humour, as I love to give a few satirical strokes as I go along, and you see I have not spared you.

While Lord Clarence and his servants are * going+une O ye sauvage, chasing, we will, if you please, talk about otheir Topics. Let me see, what will you have? or, what must I give you? we have had elopements upon the carpet, suppose we have some hunting? well here goes. We had a most glorious hunt (though I know you never loved it much) last Wednesday, had twenty couple, and harriers I don't know how many, however, we only got two hares, but had plenty of sport over it; it would have made you laugh, as serious as you are, to have seen us. Myself mounted upon Highflyer, the leader; Squire Steady, upon his favourite Rockingham; and Mr. Diddler, upon the celebrated Palifax, with their several huntsmen and attendants; and almost all the rustics in the County, from the prim clerk and shopman to sweepo! sweep! this is

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+ Wild Goon- this finch meanstrue account of the Heart & Ball at live Nether wen John Hill way. Dotters ware - & to whit nfortunate

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Several accidents happened, but happily none Moller were fatal; Mr. Diddler, got a most terrible mo fall, in leaping a six-barred gate; Squire Steady, Attomey had nearly got the same favour, had not his skill in horsemanship saved him. As for your humble servant, the most oddest unlucky misfortune happened of all; we had to cross a lane, leadI leaped in first, and what should there be passing by, but two men each laden with two large baskets upon their heads, full of the finest App and most costly glasses-down I threw them both and like Alnaschar, in the Arabian Nights, the contents were dashed into a thousand pieces; the two poor men were enraged beyond description, at the sudden loss and destruction of all their property, pouring on me and my companions a volley of curses, such as I shall not pollute my paper with recording.

Upon telling them who I was, and giving them my address, and an order to make an estimate of the damage, and promising to settle with them, they were satisfied. However, not so with me, it sunk my spirits considerably, not so much for the value, as my not possessing the means at present, of settling with them, without applying to my father's steward, and that would be in vain, as I lately spent three hundred guineas, in the purchase of Highflyer; however I got through, and got the two dealers in brittle ware paid; as the old adage says, 'Aqueleque chose malheur est bon,'* and so it is, for it was fortunate for them, though I had to suffer.

We had a most delightful ball at night, and

It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

The renouned ters of crow
quill celebrity
Viz: John Clou of Enterber Cottage-tit
poring - busy modling-book loving & reale

Author.

Sister

I was sorry that I had not the pleasure of seeing you either at the Hunt (you know it was a Yellow Jaune one, but I don't meddle much with Politics) or the ball. I was delighted to see your -Sœur there, as she was the most Belle of any that I saw there; her presence would grace a court, for in her are all the graces centred. You see I am practising my French a little, as I am not perfect in it, you will find some blunders. Mr. was master of the ceremonies, and he executed his part with all possible exactness. I was extremely offended at Miss Meanwell, (the mistress of the Hotel in which the ball was) for playing a hoax upon a young_friend of my acquaintance; whom I shall call Jemmy, (you shall hear more about him hereafter). Jemmy, who in general was treated as a fool; being well acquainted with Miss Meanwell, had enquired of her if such as him might go there as spectators?' To which query, Miss Meanwell answered, that such did, and might go, and that she would give him leave to go; only he must do as she ordered him, which was to keep out of the way of the Ladies and Gentlemen; but to avoid mistakes, he might keep close to her Pants Serviteurs!' He returned her his thanks, and Quants. with that docility for which he is remarkable, promised to obey her commands. It is now about a year since I became acquainted with him. Indeed I was surprised at seeing him there, and so were many more, as I saw by their sarcastic snews and expressive looks. However, though he may be termed insense or folle, yet he conducted himself with propriety while he remained; as the Proverb says, 'Ill nest rien de plus, or gueilleux, qu'um riche qui

the French world.

These are the English to

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a été gueux.'* Yet, not so with him, he saw
that it was a hoax upon him; indeed it was
not the first, as you shall hear hereafter, he was
not such a fool but he could discern that he was

an intruder. He was Pauvre! and there's !!
the secret. His thirst after knowledge and
books was insatiable, and he has informed me
since, that he learnt something that evening,
which he never will forget. Indeed, 'Doctrina
vitam suavem afficit, et voluptatem, tranqui-
litatem, gloriam et laudem producit.'+ Again,
'Divitie maxime, ut doctrinâ et scientià com-
parate sint contemnende sunt: quamvis homi-
nesillas querere et has negligere, solent."+

I was sorry indeed that Jemmy did not stay
to the last, (though his low birth and possessing
no qualifications, excluded him from joining
amongst us) as we had a most delightful dance,
though the expense might be great, as I think
it would; it would have amused him greatly to
have seen some of the spruce, conceited little
beaus whisking and skipping about; but per
haps they would not have taken his attention, of our
as the time he was there he seemed to be in
deep thought.

This is a

russ

at some

Kirkby

pappies dandies who have

and

more pride

Our Clergyman was likewise there, he is a man engagingly attractive, and is, in my weakne opinion, one of the best in the calendar; not-mo Mory withstanding which, I cannot avoid sometimes than Genius

* Set a beggar on horseback and he will ride to the devil.

+ Learning makes life sweet, and produces pleasure, tranquillity, glory and praise.

The greatest riches are contemptible, in comparison of learning and knowledge: though men are wont to seek after the former, and neglect the latter.

*

satirising him. I once sent him the following piece, taken from the works of the immortal Cowper, Although he was not offended, yet the next time I saw him, he told me I was a queer fellow, and that he pitied my ignorance and simplicity, in being forced to have recourse to Cowper, for my weapons.

The piece is as follows:

"Ye clergy, while your orbit is your place,
Lights of the world, and stars of human race;
But if excentric, ye forsake your sphere,
Prodigious ominous, and view'd with fear:
The comet's baneful influence is a dream,
Your's real, and pernicious in th' extreme.
What then, are appetites and lusts laid down,
With the same ease, that man puts on his gown;
Will av'rice and concupiscence give place,

Charm'd by the sounds-your reverence or your grace,
No, but his own engagement binds him fast;
Or, if it does not, brands him to the last,
What Atheists call him-a designing knave,
A mere church juggler, hypocrite, and slave.
Oh, laugh or mourn with me the rueful jest,
A cassock'd huntsman, and a fiddling priest!
He from Italian songsters takes his cue;
Set Paul to music; he shall quote him too;
He takes the field, the master of the pack,
Cries, well done saint, and claps him on the back.

-, received an

* In the year 1832 the officiating Minister of anonymous letter, of which a certain kind Lady informed him, that she supposed me to be the Author. The good natured pastor, took it for granted, that this Lady's supposition was correct; yet through her kind persuasion, and telling him, that my father was a decent, good sort of a man, he was pleased to forgive me, and let the matter drop. Though was then only fourteen years of age, yet I still retain a lively sense of this Lady's kindness in laying to my account such a letter, without the least foundation, whatever. I have been shamefully, most shamefully used, and unjustly abused: however, I must now hold my tongue, as my poverty, and age prevent me from retaliating, and being now dependant and in business, I must swallow all, and although the morsel may be bitter, yet it shall be done.-ED. ought to be Author.

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little dash at love of who roxbout drinking-hunting & puffing- & the Note is true the Lody was Ann Poules- the Rer di Iton Currate Curate for the Vicar fond of ntinya wo jointly blamed me for writing

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