re, it was suggested by the
noble president that the speaker was entering on topics not calculated
to promote the unanimity of the assembly. O'Leary, however, persevered:
on which Lord Petre interrupted him, adding, "Mr. O'Leary, I regret much
to see that you are _out of order_." The reply was equally quick and
characteristic--"I thank you for your anxiety, my lord; but I assure you
_I never was in letter health in my life_." The archness of manner with
which these words were uttered was triumphant, and every unpleasant
feeling was lost in the mirth which was necessarily excited.

O'LEARY VERSUS CURRAN.

In the "Reminiscences" of the celebrated singer and composer, Michael
Kelly, the following interesting anecdotes are given: "I had the
pleasure to be introduced to my worthy countryman, the Rev. Father
O'Leary, the well-known Roman Catholic priest; he was a man of infinite
wit, of instructing and amusing conversation. I felt highly honored by
the notice of this pillar of the Roman Church; our tastes were
congenial, for his reverence was mighty fond of whisky-punch, and so was
I; and many a jug of Saint Patrick's eye-water, night after night, did
his Reverence and myself enjoy, chatting over the exhilarating and
national beverage. He sometimes favored me with his company at dinner;
when he did, I always had a corned shoulder of mutton for him, for he,
like some others of his countrymen who shall be nameless, was
marvellously fond of that dish.

"One day the facetious John Philpot Curran, who was very partial to the
said corned mutton, did me the honor to meet him. To enjoy the society
of such men was an intellectual treat. They were great friends, and
seemed to have a mutual respect for each other's talents and, as it may
be easily imagined, O'Leary versus Curran was no bad match.

"One day, after dinner, Curran said to him, 'Reverend father, I wish you
were Saint Peter.'

"'And why, Counsellor, would you wish that I were Saint Peter?' asked
O'Leary.

"'Because, reverend father, in that case,' said Curran, 'you would have
the keys of heaven, and you could _let me in_.'

"'By my honor and conscience, Counsellor,' replied the divine, 'it would
be better for you if I had the keys of the other place, for then I could
_let you out_' Curran enjoyed the joke, which, he admitted, had a good
deal of justice in it."

HIS TRIUMPH OVER DR. JOHNSON.

"O'Leary told us of a whimsical triumph which he once enjoyed over th