Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1905 — Quissing an a Fine Art. [ARTICLE]

Quissing an a Fine Art.

On the occasion of Lord Melville’s trial before the house of lords Theodore Hook had a seat among the spectators. He could not resist the opportunity of mystifying his neighbors, a lady and her daughter from Sussex. When the bishops appeared in their state attire, wearing scarlet and lawn sleeves over their doctor’s robes, he confidentially observed to the lady: “These are not gentlemen. They are ladies, elderly ladies—the dowager peeresses in their own right.” When the speaker of the house of commons appeared and attracted attention by the rich embroidery of his robes, the lady inquired: "“Pray, sir, who is that fine looking person opposite?” “That, madam,” said Hook, “is Cardinal Wolsey.” “No, sir,” cried the lady, with a look of angry disdain. “We know a little better than that. Cardinal Wolsey has been dead many a good year!” “No such thing, madam, I assure you,” replied Hook, with imperturbable gravity. “It has been, I know, so reported In the country, but without the least foundation. In fact, those rascally newspapers will say anything.”—London Telegraph.