ANECDOTE OF SHERIDAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 151, 27 June 1881, Page 3

ANECDOTE OF SHERIDAN.

I think I have told the story of Dr Johnson and Dean Swift — how they destroyed each other's appetite fo particular dish by telling of what they had seen in the fiitchen while the cooking had been going on. And here is one of the noted wife and orator, Sheridan, of a similar character ; the story of a practical joke which he once ployed off on the Duke of Devonshire : The was a particular chop-house which Sheridan was in the habit of frequenting, especially when he was in the mood and appetite for a devilled shinbone oi beef. One day, hungry and heated, and coming later than usual, he called for his favorite dish, and was informed by the proprietor with much regret, that the only shinbone in the larder had been ordered by, and wag 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 ordinary, he took a seat within easy ear-shot, and Btruck up a conversation with a friend whom he chanced to find there. " Upon my word," said the wit, at length, in mysterious, confidential tone, "do you know I have always fancied this to be one of the neatest and most reliable eating houses in London ; but, I mußt 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 towheaded tangle-haired, dirty-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. ' You little rascal,' cried cook, * that bone is for a duke'a dinner ! ' And he caught it up from the floor, leavi g the turnspit sprawling there, and took it away to prepare it and fix it for serving up. Of course, the duke bad heard, and had been an interested listener. Not long afterwards a waiter, bearing a coyered dish, entered, and approached. " Your devilled shinbone, my lord." " Take it away ! and bring me a mutton chop, well-done." The waiter was turning away, greatly surprised, but thinking, probably, that it was only a great man's whim, when Sheridan bailed him : v Hallo ! — Waiter, what have you there." " A shinbone of beef , sir, nicely devilled, and beautifully flavored." ; '• All right. Leave it with me ; and bring a bottle of claret. I think I can make a luncheon at that." If the duke mistrusted the trick, when he saw the man who had pro* fessed to make that discovery at tho cook's window, so happily disposing of the shinbone, he was wise enough to say nothing. S. C.