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"Will nobody slit that dear woman's dripping-pan for her? If they don't, poor Britannia will be undone."

LXIII. The late Duke of Norfolk.

When the late Duke of Norfolk was Mr. Howard,he published a book called His Own Thoughts, of which he promised a second part. Being in company with Foote some time after this at the Bedford coffee-house, he pressed our hero to give an opinion of his book, which the other at first declined; but at length, being at a loss for an excuse, he replied, "I will wait for your next book, Sir; second thoughts are best."

LXIV. Lord II

Sitting with Lord H- (who was much addicted to the bottle) previously to a masquerade night, he asked Foote "what new character he ought to appear in?""New character!" said the other, pausing for some time, " suppose you go sober, my

Lord!"

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Some years ago Dr. Arne produced an operatta at Covent-garden Theatre, called The Rose; which, though full of scriptural allusions, was hissed off the stage the first night. Foote getting into the lobby just after its fate, was asked what he really

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thought of it? Why, bating the religion of it," says he, "I never saw a piece so justly damned in all my life!"

LXVI. Advice to a dramatic Writer.

A dull dramatic writer, who had often felt the severity of the public, was complaining one day to Foote of the injustice done him by the critics: but added, "I have, however, one way of being even with them; which is, by constantly laughing at all they say."-"You do perfectly right, my friend," said Foote; "for by this method you will not only disappoint your enemies, but lead the merriest life of any man in England."

LXVII. Levee-hunting.

He used to say,

"that the difference of

the hue of a court-levee after the death of a

general officer or of a bishop, was that of a lobster before and after boiling."

LXVIII. Dr. Blair.

When Foote first heard of Dr. Blair's writing Notes on Ossian (a work, the reality of which has been always much doubted), he observed, "the booksellers ought to allow a great discount to the purchasers; as the notes required such a stretch of credit."

LXIX. Merchant-taylors' Hall.

Dining at merchant-taylors' hall, he en joyed himself so pleasantly, that he sat till the company were much thinned; when, watching his opportunity, he rose, and with great gravity took leave by saying, "Gentlemen, I wish you both good night.""Both!" echoed one of the company;

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why, Foote, are you drunk? here are at

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least above a dozen of us left!"-" Oh! yes," said the wit, "I know that: there are just eighteen; but as nine taylors only make a man, I wish to be correct; therefore, as I said before, gentlemen, I wish you both good night."

LXX. The difference of Exchange.

Dining at a nobleman's table, where the company were praising the claret, his Lordship told them that he had received that hogshead of wine in return for a couple of hounds, which he some time before presented to Count Lauragais."-" Why then, my Lord," cried Foote, "I not only think your wine excellent, but dog-cheap."

LXXI. Lady A

Meeting with Lady A— at Brighton, he asked her what brought her there? "Why really," said she, "I don't well know : mere wantonness, I believe.""And pray, my Lady, have you been eured yet?"

LXXII. A good Memory.

A lady who had made several faux pas in life, being afterwards married very happily, a company of friends were talking over the circumstance, and mentioning that she had the frankness to tell her husband, before marriage, all that had happened. "What candour! what honesty!" added they. "Yes," cried Foote, joining in the general praise; " and what an amazing memory

too!"

LXXIII. Lady S

Lady S

who lived in good health

and spirits to the great age of ninety-two, was asked, when eighty-four, at what time of life the passion of love generally fails. "That," said she, "is a question of experience, which I cannot at present determine!"

LXXIV.

Second Appearance.

A young lady having made her debût at the Haymarket Theatre with very indif

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