1

Shock and Awe

By Abraham Lincoln

Fame found Abraham Lincoln before he was ready for the scrutiny of the camera.

2

The Right Words in the Wrong Order

By Mr Addison

Such was the reputation of the Prussian army in the days of the Frederick the Great that even foreigners wanted to join.

3

Tough Customer

By Anonymous

A little anecdote about a schoolmaster who wasn’t as much of a Wackford Squeers as he appeared to be.

4

Left Holding the Baby

By Richard Pike

A gentleman travelling home from London by train reached his destination carrying more than he set out with.

5

Two Sly Foxes

By Sir Nicholas L’Estrange

Sir Nicholas L’Estrange recalls two astonishing eyewitness accounts of the resourcefulness the fox.

6

Translated from the Lattin

By Sir Nicholas L’Estrange

When William Shakespeare agreed to be godfather to Ben Jonson’s baby boy, he forgot that he would have to think of a gift for his christening.