A Hundred Years Ago
THE " SPECTATOR," FEBRUARY 11711, 1832. SUPPOSED HIGHWAYMAN.
One night lest week, a lad was sent to the workhouse to got the weekly allowance for his own family and one or two others ; and in returning was attacked by a person who demanded his money. The lad called out, murder ! and thieves ! and upon assistance coming up, they succeeded in taking the supposed highwayman, who turned out to be the lad's own mother, disguised in male apparel.
SMALL TALK.
The following notice has been issued from the Vice.Chamberlain's Office—" It is particularly requested, that all ladies attending the Drawing-room will appear in dresses of British manufacture." The Queen is at all times a strict observer of this rule. At the ball given at Logiealmond House, on the occasion of Sir John Stewart's marriage, there were nine individuals invited whose united ages amounted to 728 years. It has been observed that Washington seldom smiled, and never laughed. " This," says a writer in a late New York paper, " is not correct. I was informed the other day, by a gentleman venerable for his age and information, that he had seen Washington nearly con- vulsed with laughter. At the time that our troops were encamped at Cambridge, information was received at head-quarters that the English were about leaving Boston to give them battle. All was bustle and confusion. The soldiers were strolling over the town, and the officers were but ill prepared for the approaching rencounter. Some of the generals were calling for their horses, and others for their arms ; and among the rest was General Green at the bottom of the stairs, bawling to the barber for his wig. Bring my wig, you rascal, bring my wig.' General Lee diverted himself and the com- pany at the expense of Green. Your wig is behind the looking- glass, Sir.' At which Green, raising his eyes, perceived by the mirror that his wig was where it should be—on his head. Wash- ington, in a fit of laughter, threw himself on the floor, and the whole group presented rather a ludicrous spectacle."
Previous page
