He never uses this superiority, as some do, for the purpose of irritating another still more by coolness; but speaks in a kind, good-natured manner, as if he wished to bring the other back to temper without appearing to notice that he had lost it.
"He at one time took a very punning turn, and we laid a wager in books, my Mysteries of Udolpho against his German Theatre, that he could not make two hundred puns in one evening.

He did it, however, in two hours, and, although they were of course most of them miserably bad, yet it was a proof of great quickness.
"Saturday, February 26, 1831--At dinner we talked of the Grants.

Tom said he had found Mr.Robert Grant walking about in the lobbies of the House of Commons, and saying that he wanted somebody to defend his place in the Government, which he heard was going to be attacked.

'What did you say to him ?' we asked.

'Oh, I said nothing; but, if they'll give me the place, I'll defend it.