The Merry Past 



sacrifice most freely to the god of wine, and his wit 

 and good-humour seemed to increase with every glass 

 he drank. The signal of enough — and he generally 

 went the length of his tether — was an attempt to 

 sing the first verse of a song, beginning with — 



Women and wine the heart delight. 



A witty man, Mr. Leche's sayings were often quoted 

 about the countryside. One of his bottle-com- 

 panions of the sacerdotal order asked him to go to 

 church and hear him preach. He afterwards wished 

 to know what he thought of his sermon. " Why," 

 replied Mr. Leche, " I like you better in bottle than 

 in wood." 



This was another way of expressing the view which 

 the old Scotchwoman took of her minister's oratorical 

 powers. The unfortunate man having got wet to 

 the skin on his way to the church, was about to 

 receive the offer of some dry clothes from one of 

 his congregation when an old lady interposed, 

 saying, " Na, na, woman, ye need na fash yoursell ; 

 wait ye a wee till he gets into the pu-pit, he'll be dry 

 enough there." 



Mr. Leche was always ready for good-humoured 

 chaff. 



Walking round his paddocks one day he came 

 across a poor young Irish haymaker, who was hanging 

 about in a somewhat suspicious manner. 



" Well, my lad," said the Squire, " where do you 

 hail from ? " " From County Mayo, your honour ! " 

 " And pray, what the devil brought you all the way 

 E 49 



