ANECDOTE OF SHERIDAN.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2580, 14 July 1882, Page 4

ANECDOTE OF SHERIDAN.

There was a particular chop house near Temple Bar which Sheridan was in the habit of frequenting, especially when he was In the mood and appetite for a devilled shinbone of beef. One day, hungry and heated,, and coming later than nsnal, he called for his favorite dish, and was informed by the proprietor, with muoh regret, that the only shinbone in the larder had been ordered by, and was being cooked for, his grace the Duke of Devonshire.

Sheridan knew the duke by sight, but was not known by him, and espying his grace in a quiet corner of the ordica-y, he took a seat within easy ear.-hot and struck up a quiet conversation with a friend whom he chanced to find there.

‘ CTpon my word,’ said the wit, at length la a mysterious confidential tone, ‘do you know I always fancied this to be one of the neatest and most reliable eating houses in London, but I mrt say I have had my confidence shaken. Not long ago I was out In the rear court, and in passing a kitchen window, I caught sight of a tow-headed, tangle-haired, ditty-faced turnspit in the act of gnawing a splendid shinbone of beef. I was just wondering at the waste, when along came the bead cook. My eyes ! what a blow the boy got I’ ‘ You little rascal,’ cried cook, 1 that bone is for a duke’s dinner!’ and he caught it up from the floor, leaving the turnspit sprawling there, and took It away to prepare it for serving up. Of course the duke had heard, and had been an interested listener. Not long afterwards a waiter, bearing a covered dish, entered and approached his grace. * Yonr devilled shinbone, my lord.’ 1 Take it away, and bring me a muttonchop well done. ’ The waiter was turning away, greatly surprised, but thinking probably that it was only a great man’s whim, when Sheridan hailed him.

‘ Hallo, waiter, what have you there P’ ‘ A shinbone of beef, sir, nicely devilled, and beautifully flavored.’ 1 All right. Leave it with me ; and bring me a bottle of claret. I think I can make a luncheon of that. ’

If the duke mistrusted the trick, when ho saw the man who had professed to make that discovery at the cook’s window so happ;ly disposing of the shinbone, he was wise enough to say nothing.