''JEU D'ESPIUT" 201 



" Light this cigar Avith it," said he. 



" No, don't do that," I observed. " Allow me to 

 answer it, will you ? " 



He readily assented ; when, on my return to Cam- 

 bridge, I wrote and despatched the following little jeu 



d'esjjvit : — 



Oh ! Billy, Billy, 



Why so silly 

 As to take the Law on Bob, 



Because his crop 



He chose to di'op 

 Upon your empty nob. 



You could not think 



That Bob would wink 

 At such an awkward Jarvie, 



Who meant to pitch 



Him in the ditch, 

 So did it just to sarve ye. 



I own 'twas wrong 



The double thong 

 To throw about your face ; 



Then learn this rule 



When next you tool, 

 To give a little space. 



Now Bob's awake. 



And as you take 

 This punishment so sadly. 



You, if you please, 



May pay the fees 

 To honest Lawyer Bradley. 



The action proceeded, and was tried at Cambridge 

 assizes — damages being laid at £100 ; and so confident 

 were both the lawyer and client of obtaining a verdict — 

 that should mulct poor Bob in one-half of the value of 

 his coach and horses — that they had ordered a grand 

 dinner at one of the principal inns, at which all who 



