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Devil!" Santeuil, perceiving that he was detected, related the story, to the infinite amusement of the audience, who found this explanation much more interesting than the former subject of discussion.

CCXL. THE CONJURER.

A commissary in the army, a man of slender talents, transmitted a complaint to M. de Louvois, that a certain officer, whom he named, was a conjurer. The minister wrote back, "I have communicated your information to the King. He directs me to say, that if the captain be a conjurer, he is very certain that you are none."

CCXLI. BANAULT.

Emeric Gobier de Banault, while ambassador in Spain, was present at the performance of a piece representing the battle of Pavia, and, seeing a Spanish actor beat down the person who played Fran cis I., set his foot upon his neck, and compel him to ask quarter in the most ignominious terms, was so transported with rage, that he leaped upon the stage, and in the presence of the whole audience, ran his sword through his body.

CCXLII. THE DYING SOLDIER.

A grenadier of the regiment of Champagne was retreating from the ranks mortally wounded. "Where is that grenadier going?" cried the officer as he passed. "To die," said the soldier, turning round, and expiring as he spoke.

CCXLIII. PAVING THE CHURCH.

A Curé had a dispute with his parishioners, to know at whose expense the church was to be paved. Seeing that the judge was about to decide against him, he thought of quoting in his own favour the passage of Jeremiah" Paveant illi et

ego non paveam." The judge, confounded by the strength of this authority, ordered the parishioners the church.

to pave

CCXLIV. THE WOODEN LEG.

An officer had a wooden leg so exceedingly well made, that it could scarcely be distinguished from a real one. A cannon bullet carried it off. A soldier who saw him fall called out, "Quick, run for the surgeon." "No," replied the officer coolly, "it is the joiner I want."

CCXLV. THE SUN.

Some astronomers, who had been making observations, thought they perceived several spots in the sun. Voitiere happened shortly afterwards to be in a company, where he was asked if there were any news. "None," said he; "but that I hear very bad reports of the sun."

CCXLVI. THE TWO PRIESTS.

A plague took place at Tunis in 1650, which gave rise to a singular incident. A missionary priest, named Levachir, had with him another priest of the same mission, named Guerin. The first was attacked by the plague, was supposed dead, and was about to be interred. Guerin in consequence wrote to M. Vincent, superior of the mission in France, that it had pleased God to remove M. Levachir, and that they were just making preparations for his funeral. The letter was immediately consigned to the care of the captain of a vessel about to sail for France. As they were on the point of placing M. Levachir on the bier, he made some movement, which showed that he was not quite dead. He was accordingly taken out of his shroud and placed on his bed. In the meantime, poor Father Guerin was attacked

by the plague in his turn, so violently, that he died and was buried in the course of a few days after. M. Levachir, who was now recovered, not knowing anything of Guerin's previous communication, prepared to communicate to Vincent the intelligence of his death. The letter was written and delivered to the same captain who had taken charge of the first, and who had been detained waiting for a favourable wind. The voyage was prosperous, and the Superior-general received at the sametime both letters, which differed but very little in date. We may guess what was his surprise at receiving letters from two men, each communicating the account of the other's death in the same way, and under the same circumstances. It was impossible to mistake their hand-writing, or the seal of the mission. In short, he knew not what to make of the adventure, till the mystery was cleared up some months afterwards.

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A Gascon preacher stopped short in the pulpit; it was in vain that he scratched his head; nothing would come out. "My friends," said he, as he walked quietly down the pulpit stairs," my friends, I pity you, for you have lost a fine discourse."

CCXLVIII. THE CHOICE OF WEAPONS.

A gentleman of Bourdeaux had grossly insulted a cavalry officer. The officer resolved to have satisfaction, and allowed him to choose his own mode of fighting. "So you are weary of serving the king," said the gentleman-“ very well, you shall have satisfaction. I will settle the matter; and as for the manner, you may have your choice of the weapon, from a pin to a cannon.'

CCXLIX. A PREMATURE INTERMENT.

Some one attempted to draw his sword one day upon a Gascon who insulted him. The Gascon called a shoe-black. "There," said he, "there is sixpence for you, run to the nearest church, tell them to ring the bell for the dead, and come and take up the body." "But," said the shoe-black, "the gentleman is alive and merry ?” "Yes," replied the Gascon," but don't you see he is going to fight with me ?"

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A Gascon, who had one leg shorter the other, limped so much, that at every step h he appeared to be making a bow. He was ing along the alley of a garden, where many people of his acquaintance were seat the benches on both sides. “You despi this side, I see," said a gentleman who quainted with him ; you make all you the other side." "Oh!” replied the "wait till I return, and you will have venge."

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CCLI. THE LOUVRE.

A young Gascon arrived at Paris fo time. It was in summer, and he went Tuilleries immediately on his arrival. saw the gallery of the Louvre-" Upc nour," said he, "I like it vastly. Met the back of my father's stables.'

CCLII. A GASCON BED.

A Gascon officer, hearing some one the exploits of a prince, who, in two ass a town, had killed six men with his c "Bah!" said he, "I would have you to! the very mattresses I sleep upon are str nothing else but the whiskers of those have sent to slumber in the other world." CCLIII. THE SWORD.

A Gascon being at the play, was seated pit, and as he kept constantly fidgetting sword got entangled in the legs of those w beside him. "Sir," said an officer, fiercers found it constantly in his way, "Your Swor noys me." "Very likely, sir," said the coolly; "I believe it has annoyed a good na

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