Friday, June 27, 2008

A Double Paradox

1895

The capacity of the English language for the making of paradoxes or apparent but not real contradictions is almost unlimited.

Two men were riding in an electric car recently when it was stopped by a street blockade. As they were near their destination, they decided to get out and walk. The track was soon cleared, however, and the car overtook them.

"When we left the car," said one of them, "I thought that we should get on better by getting off. But, after all, we should have been better off if we had staid on." — Youth's Companion.


Priests and Beards

The beardless priest is only a matter of custom, there being no edict upon the subject. All of the popes from Adrian VI to Innocent XII and all the cardinals and other church clerics during the same period were bearded dignitaries. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, Francis de Sales, Vincent de Paul and the Cardinals Bellarmine and Richelieu all wore full beards. — St. Louis Republic.


Social Evolution

Miss De Fashion (a few years hence) — You are wanted at the telephone.
Mrs. De Fashion — Oh, dear! I presume it's Mrs. De Style to return my telephone call. I hope she won't talk long. — London Tit-Bits.

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