OF

HUMOUR, WIT, & WISDOM

A MANUAL OF TABLE-TALK

BOSTON

LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS

NEW YORK

LEE, SHEPARD, AND DILLINGHAM

1874

PREFACE.

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ALTHOUGH there is no lack of jest-books in this prolific age of publishing, yet there are few publications of an anecdotal character, which combine this feature with extracts of a moral and philosophical nature. The object of this volume is to combine these elements, and thus to supply what would seem to some extent to be a hiatus. The combination thus attempted will perhaps render this publication not only amusing, but to some extent instructive. All jokes of an indelicate and irreverent character (which, unfortunately, are rife in most anecdotebooks) are carefully excluded, and it is hoped that the result is a book adapted for youthful and general perusal. Mingled with the trite jokes, which are so familiar to most readers, will be found numerous extracts possessing prominent

historical interest.

In embodying the different characteristics thus indicated, the object has been to illustrate the maxim

DELECTANDO PARITERQUE MONENdo.

" set

It is curious to find, in the researches necessary for the preparation of a work of this description for the press, how many of the very oldest jokes are re-faced, and made to do duty as novelties in the current literature and table-talk of the day. Many of those here recorded are admittedly traceable to the immortal "Joe Miller," and many lay claim to even greater antiquity; and yet, ancient as they are, how often do we find them to the table in a roar!" In the arrangement of these pages, the compiler has availed himself of passages from many new works of interest, being enabled to do so by the courtesy of the several publishers, to whom his earnest thanks are due. To Messrs. Smith, Elder and Co., for permission to quote from Captain Gronow's amusing volume of "Reminiscences," acknowledgments are respectfully tendered; and for the like indulgence, to use extracts from their publications, the compiler wishes to recognise the kindness of

Messrs. Blackwood and Sons; Mr. Bentley; Messrs. Chapman and Hall; Messrs. W. and R. Chambers; Messrs. Bell and Daldy; Messrs. Hurst and Blackett, and other eminent publishers. A considerable number of anecdotes illustrative of Scottish character are included; this is mainly due to the politeness of Mr. David Robertson, and Messrs. Edmonston and Douglas, the publishers of Dean Ramsay's "Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character." Mr. Robertson, in

the most courteous and liberal manner, placed entirely at the compiler's disposal his amusing volume "The Laird of Logan," the quaint stories in which book are probably new to many English readers.