was charged exorbitantly high, wrote tom of the account," If I die, let it pass live, for revisal.

CCLV. RAPID TRAVELLING

"I came so quick side of Gan ony, who had based o

CCL.

THE LAME GASCON.

A Gascon, who had one leg shorter than the other, limped so much, that at every step he took he appeared to be making a bow. He was walking along the alley of a garden, where a great many people of his acquaintance were seated upon the benches on both sides. "You despise us on this side, I see," said a gentleman who was acquainted with him ; bows to you make all your the other side." "Oh!" replied the Gascon, "wait till I return, and you will have your revenge."

CCLI. THE LOUVRE.

A young Gascon arrived at Paris for the first time. It was in summer, and he went to see the Tuilleries immediately on his arrival. When he saw the gallery of the Louvre-“ Upon my honour," said he, "I like it vastly. Methinks I see the back of my father's stables."

CCLII. A GASCON BED.

A Gascon officer, hearing some one celebrating the exploits of a prince, who, in two assaults upon a town, had killed six men with his own hand: "Bah!" said he, "I would have you to know, that the very mattresses I sleep upon are stuffed with nothing else but the whiskers of those whom I have sent to slumber in the other world."

CCLIII. THE SWORD.

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

CCLIV. A CONDITIONAL SETTLEMENT.

A Gascon being very ill, his landlord begged him to settle the account he owed before his departure. The Gascon, who saw that everything was charged exorbitantly high, wrote at the bottom of the account, "If I die, let it pass,-if I live, for revisal."

CCLV. RAPID TRAVELLING.

"I came so quick,” said an ecclesiastic of Gascony, who had hastened to some work of charity, "I came so quick, that my guardian angel could scarcely follow me."

CCLVI. A TERRIBLE GASCONADE.

The Prince of Condé one day, jokingly, asked a witty Gascon to favour him with some Gasconade or other. "No, sir," said the Gascon, "I would not make one at present for a thousand crowns." The prince laughed at this specimen, but asked him for another. "Monseigneur," replied the Gascon," do not ask me again, else I will make one that will make you tremble."

CCLVII. GASCONADES.

A Gascon said, "I have such a martial air, that when I look into the glass I am afraid of myself." Another used to say, " The sword of a Gascon is the key to the other world."

CCLVIII. THE GASCON TURNED ARCHITECT. A Gascon, who was at a loss for a dinner, seeing Frère Romain, the celebrated architect, superintending the operations of the Bridge of the Tuilleries, determined to dine at his expense. He kept looking attentively at the work, as if he had been a connoisseur-muttered between his teethmeasured what had been erected-walked with great gravity across and seemed to be engaged

in an elaborate criticism of the whole. Frère Romain, a little uneasy, went up to him, and asked him what he thought of it. "Brother," said the Gascon, "I have some important information to give you about this bridge; but I am hungry,-I must dine first." The Frère immediately invited him to dine with him. The Gascon did not require much pressing, and acquitted himself at table to admiration. After dinner was over, Romain led him back to the bridge. The Gascon walked up and down for a few minutes, and then turning to his host, observed, "My friend, you have done wisely in building your bridge across the river, for if you had tried to build it the long way, the devil's in it if you would have succeeded." He then made his bow and took leave of the confounded architect.

CCLIX. LOUIS XIV. AND THE GASCON.

At a review which took place before Louis XIV., the horse of a Gascon reared up so rapidly, that his rider's hat fell off. One of his comrades presented it to him on the point of his sword. "God bless me !" said the Gascon, "I had rather you had pierced my body than my hat." The King, who heard this reply, asked the meaning of it. "Sire," replied the Gascon, "I have credit with my surgeon, but none with my hatter."

CCLX. THE GASCON SKATER.

A Gascon went to skate; some person of his acquaintance pushed him rudely on the ice and overturned him. The Gascon, in a rage, pulled off his skates, went up to the person who had thrown him down, and raising his arm, said, "It is very lucky for you, sir, that I don't dislike falling."

COLXI. AN INVISIBLE ANTAGONIST.

A Gascon officer, who was present at a skirmish, fired a pistol at one of the enemy; and afterwards boasted that he had killed him. "That can't be," said another, "for not a man was left on the field." "Poh!" said the Gascon, "don't you see-I must have blown him to atoms."

CCLXII. HOW TO PACK A TRUNK.

A Parisian, accompanied by his servant, who was a Gascon, went to spend some days in the country with a friend. On the morning of his return, as he was on the point of departing, he asked his servant if he had packed his portmanteau. The servant replied that he had. "But," said the master, "have you put in everything that belongs to us ?" "Oh yes, sir," said the servant," at least."

CCLXIII. THE HEART AND THE FACE.

"My heart," said a Gascon, "is a clock, of which my countenance is the index."

CCLXIV. THE CANNON.

A Gascon, a wit by profession, was at an entertainment. At first they gave him excellent wine, but after the third or fourth glass, mere vinegar. "These good people, I suppose," said he, "take me for a cannon, which they wash with vinegar, after every two or three rounds."

CCLXV. DAGUERRE.

The Prince of Condé, when only Duke d'Enghien, already enjoyed the high reputation which he afterwards sustained. The celebrated Daguerre, a Gascon officer, of the most daring bravery, was anxious to see this prince. Some friends introduced him while the Prince was at table, and while the question was under discussion, whether great