The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 469, January 1, 1831

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Various. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 469, January 1, 1831

THE SILENT ACADEMY, OR THE EMBLEMS

The Topographer

TRAVELLING NOTES IN SOUTH WALES

Spirit Of The Annuals

A FRENCH GENTLEMAN'S LETTER TO AN ENGLISH FRIEND IN LONDON

HOOD'S COMIC ANNUAL

Spirit Of The Public Journals

BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.5

Notes Of A Reader

LACONICS

MOORE'S LIFE OF BYRON, VOL. II

The Gatherer

SELDEN,

FULL-BOTTOMED WIGS

A WINDOW THE CAUSE OF A WAR

"WILLIE WASTLE."

CURIOUS LEGACY

WIT AND JOKES

FAT FOLKS

Отрывок из книги

There was at Amadan, a celebrated academy, the first statute of which was contained in these terms. "The Academicians think much, write little, and speak but as little as possible." They were called "The Silent Academy," and there was not a man of learning in all Persia but was ambitious of being admitted of their number. Doctor Zeb, author of an excellent little work, entitled "The Gag," understood in his distant province that there was a vacant place in the Silent Academy. He set out immediately, arrived at Amadan, and presenting himself at the door of the hall, where the members were assembled, he desired the doorkeeper to deliver to the president, a billet to this import, "Doctor Zeb humbly asks the vacant place." The doorkeeper immediately acquitted himself of his commission, but, alas! the doctor and his billet were too late, the place had been already filled.

The whole academy were affected at this contretems; they had received a little before, as member, a court wit, whose eloquence, light and lively, was the admiration of the populace, and saw themselves obliged to refuse Doctor Zeb, who was the very scourge of chatterers, and with a head so well formed and furnished.

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The president, whose place it was to announce to the doctor the disagreeable news, knew not what to resolve on. After having thought a little he filled a large cup with water, and that so very full, that one drop more would have made it spill over. Then he made the sign that they might introduce the candidate. He appeared with that modest and simple air which always accompanies true merit. The president rose, and without saying a word, he pointed out to him with an afflicted air, the emblematic cup, the cup so exactly full. The doctor apprehended the meaning that there was no room for him in the academy; but taking courage, he thought to make them understand that an academician supernumerary would derange nothing. Therefore, seeing at his feet a rose leaf, he picked it up and laid it delicately on the surface of the water, and that so gently, that not a single drop escaped.

At this ingenious answer they were all full of admiration, and in spite of rules, Doctor Zeb was admitted with acclamation.

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