Page:Reminisences of Captain Gronow.djvu/100

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Anecdotes and Reminisences

that you know something, and will not tell me."

Mr, Pitt good-humouredly replied: "Well, then, I am going to a Cabinet Council, and I will consult my colleagues whether I can divulge State secrets to you or not."

Upon another occasion, on entering Boodle's, of which he was a member, he observed the celebrated Lord Westmoreland at table, where the noble lord was doing justice to a roast fowl. Taylor, of course, asked him the news of the day, and Lord Westmoreland coolly told the little newsmonger to go into the other room and leave him to finish his dinner, promising to join him after he had done. The noble Lord kept his word, and the first thing he heard from Mr. Taylor was, "Well, my lord, what news? what had you for dinner?"

His lordship replied, "A Welsh leg of mutton."

"What then—what then?"

"Don't you think a leg of mutton enough for any man?"

"Yes, my lord, but you did not eat it all."

"Yes, Taylor, I did."

"Well, I think you have placed the leg of