3o6 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE \}7^9 



of 1/79 I'epugnant to justice and in violation to the Constitution 

 of the State, restored the ancient charter, with all its privileges. 

 His position as Provost, if he chose to occupy again the place, 

 which for the mere vindication of his honor it was supposed that 

 he would, was at his command. 



In connection with his efforts to procure the passage of the re- 

 pealing act we may mention a piece of the Provost's ready wit. 

 On the morning of passing this Act, while the members were col- 

 lecting themselves, and before the Speaker took the chair, Dr. 

 H , a good-natured man, but a great politician and of abdomi- 

 nal dimensions more than aldermanic, came into the Committee 

 Room, and offered to a member a paper by way of a Rider to the 

 engrossed Bill, requesting him to present the same to the House. 

 The member handed it to Dr. Smith, who happened to be near. 

 Dr. Smith hastily looked over it, and finding its purport was to in- 

 demnify what was called the University from any particular ac- 

 count of their expenditure of the College stock and property 

 during their usurpation of eight years and upwards, returned it to 



the member, who went into the House, and Dr. H after him. 



Dr. Smith got a piece of paper and wrote cxtcjnpore as follows: 



The Rider. 

 I. 



"On mischief bent, by Ewing sent,* 

 With Rider in his hands, 

 Comes Doctor Guts, with mighty struts, 

 And thus of Smith demands : 



2. 



'•' ' This Rider, sir, to save all stir. 

 By Master Ewing's will, 

 I bring in haste, pray get some pa.:te, 

 And tack it to your Bill.' 



3- 

 " Smith lifts his eyes — ' Hoot ! mon,' he cries, 

 ' Take back your stupid stuff, 

 Our answer's brief, the crafty thief 

 Has ridden lang enuff. ' " 



* Dr. Ewing, the Provost of the University of Pennsylvaiiiii who had supplanted Dr. 

 Smith, was a Trcsbyterian. 



