Authors,
therefore, substitute what is here called broad farce for genuine
comedy; their jests are made intelligible by grimace, or by that sort
of mechanical wit which can be seen; comedy is made up of trick, and
tragedy of processions, pageants, battles, and explosions."
* * * * *
SCRAPS
Addison says, that a dog has been the companion of man for nearly
6,000 years, and has learned of him only one of his vices; that is to
worry his species when he finds them in distress. Tie a tin canister
to a dog's tail, and another will fall upon him; put a man in prison
for debt, and another will lodge a detainer against him.
Horace Walpole, speaking of the opening of the budget one year, says,
"The rest of the night was spent in a kind of avoirdupoise war."
A witness under examination in an Irish court of justice, had just
stated that he was suddenly roused from his slumbers by a blow on the
head. "And how did you find yourself?" asked the examining counsel,
"Fast asleep," replied the witness.
An officer whom Louis XIV. had been strongly solicited to appoint to a
certain situation, was presented to him. "This gentleman," said the
king, "is too old." "Sire," replied the officer, with much tact, "I am
only four years older than your majesty, and I calculate upon serving
you for five-and-twenty years to come." The king appointed him to the
situation.
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