The ancient already quoted felt, he tells us, great reluctance in publishing certain "fragments of his conceits," because they "were like the late new halfpence, in which, though the SILVER were good, yet the PIECES were small.” The Editor, on the contrary, fully convinced of the sterling quality of the silver, considers the smallness of the pieces as the means of securing its universal currency. It is true that his little tome can lay no claim to perfection; but it may fairly be awarded the merit of VARIETY, the contents of almost every page being different from, and independent of, those which precede and follow it. It requires not to be perused de suite ni par ordre. The reader has only to open its leaves, and he will be sure to meet with something complete in itself-something which will satisfy the curiosity, or gratify the mind. He may either "taste," "swallow," or "chew and digest ;" the materials of which the volume is composed being so varied and so numerous, as to be equally good for filling up a vacant half hour as for the amusement of a day.

On the merits of the illustrative etchings which accompany the work, it is quite unnecessary to dilate. They have been executed by one who, as an artist, has experienced no ordinary share of that which the FLOWERS OF ANECDOTE have yet to seck—it is hoped not unsuccessfully -public favour. In fact, the name of LANDSEER is a tower of strength, and carries with it its own recommendation.

THE

FLOWERS OF ANECDOTE.

DUCHESS OF ORLEANS.-In Paris the gallery of the theatres, it is well known, is called "le Paradis," or Paradise. The Duchess of Orleans took a fancy to go to the play one night, with only a fille de chambre, and to sit in the Paradis. A young officer, who happened to be next the duchess, was very free in his addresses to her, and when the play was over, concluded by offering her a supper, which she seemed to accept. He accompanied her down stairs, but was confounded when he saw her attendants and equipage, and heard her name. Recovering, however, his presence of mind, he handed her royal highness into her carriage, bowed in silence, and was preparing to retire, when she called out, "Where is the supper you promised?" He bowed, and replied, " In Paradise we are all equal; but I am not insensible of the profound respect which I owe you, madam, upon earth." This prompt, neat, and proper reply, obtained for him a place in the duchess's carriage, and at her table.

Mr. PALMER.—This gentleman going home one evening after the business of the theatre was concluded, saw a man lying on the ground with another on him, beating him violently upon this he remonstrated with the uppermost, telling him his conduct was unfair, and that he

B

ought to let his opponent get up, and have an equal chance with him. The fellow drolly turned up his face to Mr. Palmer, and drily replied, Faith, sir, if you had been at as much trouble to get him down as I have, you would not be for letting him get up so readily."

PROMPT ANSWER.-Chateauneuf, keeper of the seals of Louis XIII. when a boy of only nine years old, was asked many questions by a bishop, and gave very prompt answers to them all. At length the prelate said, "I will give you an orange if you will tell me where God is ?" 'My lord," replied the boy," I will give you two oranges if you will tell me where he is not."

DR. JOHNSON.--When Dr. Johnson courted Mrs. Potter, whom he afterwards married, he told her that he was of mean extraction; that he had no money; and that he had had an uncle hanged. The lady, by way of reducing herself to an equality with the dector, replied, that she had no more money than himself, and that though she had not had a relation hanged, she had fifty who deserved hanging. And thus was accomplished this very curious amour.

SEVERE REBUKE.-Sir William B. being at a parish meeting, made some proposals which were objected to by a farmer. Highly enraged, "Sir," says he to the farmer, "do you know that I have been at two universities, and at two colleges in each university?" Well, sir," said the farmer, "what of that? I had a calf that sucked two cows, and the observation I made was, the more he sucked the greater calf he grew."

FORTUNE'S FAVOURITES.-There are some men who are Fortune's favourites, and who, like cats, light for ever on their legs: Wilks was

one of these didappers whom, if you had stripped naked and thrown over Westminster bridge, you would have met on the very next da with a bag-wig on his head, a sword by his side, a laced coat upon his back, and money in his pocket.

FOUR BON VIVANTS.-Theo. Cibber, in company with three other bon vivants, made an excursion. Theo. had a false set of teeth-a second a glass eye-a third a cork leg-but the fourth had nothing particular excepting a remarkable way of shaking his head. They travelled in a post coach-and while on the first stage, after each had made merry with his neighbour's infirmity, they agreed that at every baiting-place they would all affect the same singularity. When they came to breakfast they were all to squint-and as the countrymen stood gaping round when they first alighted, "Od rot it," cried one, "how that man squints!" "Why, dom thee," says a second, "here be another squinting fellow!" The third was thought to be a better squinter than the other two, and the fourth better than all the rest. In short, language cannot express how admirably they all squintedfor they went one degree beyond the superlative. At dinner they all appeared to have cork legs, and their stumping about made more diversion than they had done at breakfast. At tea they were all deaf; but at supper, which was at the Ship at Dover, each man resumed his character, the better to play his part in a farce they had concerted among them. When they were ready to go to bed, Cibber called out to the waiter," Here you fellow, take out my teeth." Teeth, sir?" said the man, " Aye, teeth, sir. Unscrew that wire, and they'll all come out together." After some hesitation, the man did as he was ordered. This was no sooner performed than a second called out, "Here you―take out my eye." Lord, sir," said the waiter, "your Come here, you stupid dog-pull up that

eye!" Yes, my eye.

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eye-lid, and it will come out as easily as possible." This done, the third cried out, Here, you rascal-take off my leg." "This he did with less reluctance, being before apprised that it was cork, and also conceiving that it would be his last job. He was, however, mistaken: the fourth watched his opportunity, and while the frightened waiter was surveying, with rueful countenance, the eye, teeth, and leg, lying on the table-cried out, in a frightful hollow voice," Come here, sirtake off my head." Turning round, and seeing the man's head shaking like that of a Mandarine upon a chimney piece, he darted out of the room-and after tumbling headlong down stairs, he ran about the house, swearing that the gentlemen up stairs were certainly all devils.

DR. JOHNSON.-The Dr. insisted upon the necessity of the subordination of rank in society. Sir," said he to Mr. Boswell," there is one Mrs. Macauley in this town, a great republican. One day when I was at her house, I put on a very grave countenance, and said, Madam, I am a convert to your system. To give you a decisive proof I am in earnest, here is a sensible well-behaved fellow-citizen, your footman; I desire that he may be allowed to sit down and dine with us.' She has never liked me since this proposal. Your levellers wish to level down as far as themselves, but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves." When the learned professions were talked of―" Scorn," said he, " to put your behaviour under the dominion of canters. Never think it clever to call physic a mean study, or law a dry one; or ask a boy of seven years old which way his genius leads him—for we all know that a boy of seven years old has no genius for any thing excepting a peg-top and an applepie. But fix on a business where much money may be got and little risked. Follow that business steadily; and do not live as Roger