Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1889 — Unfortunate Remarks. [ARTICLE]

Unfortunate Remarks.

Before making use ot quotations, even of Scripture, says the excellent English publication, Scraps, one ought to be careful that the idea to be conveyed is just what is intended, for sometimes, even with the best intentions, one goes astray. At a dinner given by an English nobleman an old gentleman rose to propose a toast, and though his opening sentence was enthusiastically applauded, it was evidently not quite what he expected it should be. “I feel,” said he, “that for a plain country squire like myself to address this learned company is, indeed, to cast pearls before swine.” It was some time before he fully understood why his hearers laughed so uproariously. The man who speaks too promptly, or without attention to the relation of his statements to one another, is also liable to verbal mishaps. “Why are you so slow in answering?” asked - £T jawyer of a witness. “Are yon afraid of telling an untruth?” ~~" “No!” cried the witness, answering too hastily that time. “I have met this man, ’’ said another lawyer, severely; as he glanced at a prisoner, “in a great many places where I should be ashamed to be seen myself.” Theadui paused, and looked with astonishment at the smiling court and jury. An orator at a fair, wound up a glowing description of what was to be seen on the grounds, with the ambiguous statement, "Step in, gentlemen, step in! Take my word for it, you will be highly delighted with it when you come out.” A gallant foreigner once said to an English lady: “I congratulate you on having so charming an acquaintance as Miss W——., She is young, beautiful and intelligent “Yes; but don’t you think she is a trifle conceited?” “Perhaps so; but, madam, just put yourself in her place, and say whether you would not be conceited, too!” was the startling but well meant reply. A gentl man was once lamenting to a friend the conduct of his son. “You should speak to him with firmness, and remind him of his duties,” said the other. “He pays no attention to what I say. He listens only to the advice of fools.” Then, with a sudden thought, “I wish you would talk to him.”