SMOKERS' STORIES. 87 



A SMOKER IN VENICE. 



THE late Earl Russell once gave a 

 large party to which the Poet Laureate 

 (Tennyson) was invited, and during the 

 evening his lordship, sauntering up and 

 down his magnificent halls, happened to 

 recognize Tennyson. 



"Haul Mr. Tennyson, how d'ye do? 

 glad to see you. Hau ! you've been 

 traveling lately, I hear. How did you 

 like Venice, hau? Fine thing to be in 

 Venice! Did you visit the Bridge of 

 Sighs, hau? " 



Yes." 



" " And saw all the pictures, hau ! and 

 works of art in that wonderful city, did 

 you not, hau?" 



" I didn't like Venice ! " 



"Hau! Indeed! Why not, Mr. 

 Tennyson ? " 



" They had no good cigars there, my 

 lord ; and I left the place in disgust." 



