35 t FACTS AND INFERENCES, GRAVE AND GAY. 



be recalled to strangers. It was on the same occasion that 

 as much amusement was occasioned by an argument he had 

 with a member of the Peace Society. There being at the 

 time some rumour of difficulties with France, with reference 

 to the Newfoundland fisheries, the peace-apostle spoke with, 

 horror of ' the idea of going to war for some codfish ;' and 

 Wilson only replied, 'Very true ; but then ye see they're 

 such very (vurra) fine codfish.' His opponent gave up 

 the argument in despair, and joined very heartily in the 

 general laugh. But I fear that such recollections as these 

 do not bear carrying." 



In the same way we might mention random instances : 

 how in regard to a prosing and pedantic entomologist he 

 remarked, " It explains the saying, ' The grasshopper shall 

 be a burden :"' and how, during a severe illness, when a 

 friend connected with the Stamp Office came to see him, and 

 when some one said, " Take care, Mr C, where you set your 

 feet, for there are a good many carpet-nails scattered on 

 the floor," Mr Wilson, who was in much distress from 

 the oppression on his chest, had still breath to say, " Mr 0. 

 will pick them up ; he 's a fac&s-gatherer (tax-gatherer).'"' 

 During one of the Highland excursions, when the party had 

 risen from the hay and were comparing exjjeriences round 

 the breakfast-table, Martin Barry said, " I was awakened 

 by a hen pecking at my ear." " No wonder," retorted Mr 

 Wilson ; "she mistook it for an ear of Barley." "Nay/ 



