A Commonplace Book of Epigrams, Analytically Arranged. Compilod by C.
S. Carey. (Tegg.)—"Analytically arranged " means " arranged according to subject,"—as good a method, perhaps, as any other ; only some of the divisions have a queer look. Here is what is called an ecclesiastical epigram Clergyman—I've lost my portmanteau. Traveller-1 pity your grief.
Clergyman—All my sermons are in it. Traveller—I pity the thief."
And hero is another under the same heading :— "By our preacher perplexed
How shall we determine?
`Watch and pray' says the text ; 'Go to sleep' says the sermon."
To turn to another profession, which gets indeed better treatment, for the most part, than is granted to the clergy, we have this, ascribed to Dr. Jenner, of vaccination fame
SENT WITH A COUPLE OF DUCKS TO A PATIENT.
We despatched, my dear Madame, this scrap of a letter, To say that Miss — is very much better: A regular doctor no longer she lacks, And therefore I've sent her a couple of quacks.
"Ties REPLY.
" Yes: 'twas politic, truly, my very good friend, Thus a 'couple of quacks ' to your patient to send; Since there's nothing so likely as 'quacks.' it is plain, To make work for a regular doctor again."
The heading "Ungallant Epigrams" reminds usthat women who have not taken kindly to this sort of composition, have been even worse treated than the clergy. Here is a smart one on "The Laconic Female":— '-Celia her sex's foible shuns.
Her tongue no length of 'arum runs ; Two phrases answer every part,— One gain'd, one breaks her husband's heart : I will,' she said, when made a bride:—
` I won't,' through all her life beside."
The book is in a reasonable compass, and seems well selected. The authors' names should, we think, have been given ; and it is a pity that the one Latin quotation which we have found has two misprints.
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