Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/449

 example was immediately followed by all the rest, under the sanction of that good old saying.

He had many useful rules which he threw into rhime for the more easy recollection of them. One of them I remember was a direction to those who ride together through the water:

When through the water you do ride. Keep very close, or very wide.

Another related to the decanting of wine:

First rack slow, and then rack quick, Then rack slow till you come to the thick.

In a conversation with Dr. Ellwood, the doctor happened to speak of some one, as a fine old gentleman; what, said Swift, have you kept company with me these twenty years, and have not the common sense to know that there is no such thing as a fine old gentleman; because, if the persons to whom that title is given, had been possessed either of a mind or body worth a farthing, they would have worn them out before they arrived at that age.

Dining one day at Mr. B's, his son, the present Mr. B, then very young, was sent into the parlour after dinner to pay his compliments to the dean. His mother, lady B, had always kept him drest in the nicest manner. After drinking a glass of wine, and staying a little while with the company, he returned to his father, who was confined to his chamber with the gout, "Well, Will, what did the dean say to you?" "I heard him say, as I was leaving the room, Enfant gâté." His father laughed, and told it lady Betty. This came round to the dean before he left the house; who said upon it — "What a confounded blockhead was " I,