One of the passengers on board the ill-fated "Metis" at the time of the
disaster was an exceedingly nervous man, who, while floating in the water,
imagined how his friends would acquaint his wife of his fate. Saved at
last, he rushed to the telegraph office and sent this message: "Dear P----,
I am saved. _Break it gently to my wife._"


54. COMPLIMENT TO A LADY

[How nicely this might fit into a ladies' party.]

Sidney Smith, the cultivated writer and divine, who, when describing his
country residence, declared that he lived twelve miles from a lemon, was
told by a beautiful girl that a certain pea in his garden would never come
to perfection. "Permit me then," said he, taking her by the hand, "_to
lead perfection to the pea_."


55. TOO SLIM

[The great evil of mixing religion and politics are well set forth in the
following incident:]

"Gabe," said the governor to an old colored man, "I understand that you
have been ousted from your position of Sunday-school superintendent."

"Yes, sah, da figured aroun' till da got me out. II was all a piece of
political work, though; and I doan see why de law of de lan' doan prevent
de Sunday-schools an' churches from takin' up political matters!"