Life — January 9, 1902 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Franklin chanced to dine with the English and French Ambassadors ; when, as nearly as the precise words can be recollected, the following toasts were drunk : “*Exotaxp’—The Sun, whose bright beams enlighten and fructify the re- motest corners of the earth,” The French Ambassador, filled with national pride, but too polite to dispute the previous toast, drank the following: “* Prance '—The Moon, whose mild, steady and cheering rays are the delight of all nations, consoling them in darkness, and making their dreariness beautiful.” Dr. Franklin then arose, and, with his usual dignified simplicity, said: “ ‘George Washington '—The Joshua who commanded the Sun and Moon to stand still, and they obeyed him.” From “Course of Composition and Rhetoric.” By G. P. Quackenbos, LL, D. D, Appleton and Company, 1877. Noemper 11, My father had invited Governor Hancock to the entertainment he had given at C bridge on Commencement Day, on the o sion of his graduation; and in return he was invited, though so young a man, to dine with his Excellency. The party consisted of not less than fifty or sixty persons, and the dinner and its appointments were in keeping with the rank and fortune of the host. He, however, did not sit at meat with his guests, but dined at a small table by himself, in a wheel-chair, his legs swathed in flannel, Ie was a martyr to the gout, of which circumstance he made an excuse for doing as he pleased in political as well as social life. On the occasion with which we have now “SANTA CLAUS Was HERE I" to do, when the Governor had despatched the frugal repast to which his infirmities condemned him, he wheeled himself about the general table to pay personal attention to his guests, and to take part in the con- versation. While thus engaged, and when the animation of the company was at its loudest, it was interrupted by a fearful crash. A servant, in removing a cut-glass épergne, which was the central ornament of the table, let it fall, and it was dashed into a thousand pieces. An awkward silence fell upon the company, when Hancock, with the presence of mind of true good-breeding, relieved their embarrassment by exclaiming, good-na- turedly, ‘James, break as much as you please, but don’t make such a confounded noise about it.” And under cover of the Jaugh this raised the fragments were removed, and the talk went on as if nothing had happened. From the “ Life of,Josiah Quincy.” By his son Edmund Quincy. Tickner and Fields, 1868. Compensation. H{IGHBLOWER: My first daugh- ter married a poet, my second an artist, and my third a railroad magnate. Driteteton: And which couple is the most fortunate? “Oh, the first two of them. They are supported by the husband of the third Alas! RUTH crushed to earth will - rise again, but she will find the crusher still doing business at the old stand, C) A Literary Lottery. a ks is a pleasure to observe that ad- vanced business methods aro being employed in the hitherto conservative field of literature. Authors, indeed, have ere now shown themselves to be both able and enterprising advertisers of their own wares; and there is an excellent system in good running order whereby a sluggish public is persuaded to believe itself enthusiastic, and to pay for its delusion in cash. Bat the pride of the profession has hitherto enforced a troublesome degree of pre- tence, which is no longer deemed es- sential to self-respect. Anonymity has always been serviceable as a spur to quicken curiosity ; it was reserved for Mr. Shad : WHat COULD 1 DO WITH A MACKIN= Tosa? T, MY DEAR, JUST SEE low cunar comicbooks.com