| Citation |
NHG-P.767.004
9 Jan 1767:33 (536)
Definition of Odd Things. In a court which leads to the
Strand, and called, if I don't mistake Round court, there is
the sign of the parrot, out of the parrot's beak there is a
label, on which is wrote Money for odd Things. This led me
to consider, what sort of things we might class as Odd
Things, and what odd things would fetch money?
. . . [13 lines of odd things]
Wit is also a very odd thing, and men of wit are very odd
sort of people. But there are several sorts of wit; there's
court wit, city wit, and country wit; Westminster wit, and
wapping wit, play house and Ranelagh wit; tavern wit and ale
house wit. All these wits are like particular exoticks in
botany, which can only thrive in their own soil, the least
transplanting kills them.
. . . [7 lines]
But, of all the odd things which infest their majesties
subjects, opinion is certainly the most unaccountable.
I have heard a fellow who could not read, deliver his
sentiments upon De Moivre; and a shoemaker, who works for
some of the players, pronounce upon Shakespear's errors.
. . . [18 lines, signed] W. W.
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