IRISH WIT AND HUMOUR.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Sr,—Your article on "Irish Wit and Humour" in the Spectator of February 16th reminds me of a humorous reply made to me last August in Green Point Military Hospital by a young private in the Dublin Fusiliers. I asked him what he thought of the honours done to the Irish regiments in appreciation of their gallant behaviour in the field, and he modestly replied in a rich Irish brogue (which I will not spoil by attempting to reproduce) : "Well, Sir, it's like the Gordons. The Gordons have got the name for it [i.e., bravery], and now we've got the name for it. And when ye get the name for early rising, ye can stay in bed till dinner-time." I imagine the last sentence is a saying in Ireland, but it certainly showed native humour to apply it so spontaneously. And how true a saying of more things than military prowess !—I am, Sir, Fze.,
[Those who are inclined to spoil crack regiments by in- discriminate adulation should note the philosophy of the Irish private. Regiments, like men, as a rule take most trouble and work hardest when on their promotion.—En. Spectator.]
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