Note 179 — Chapter VI
Reading edition
Lord Eldon, who dearly loved a joke, wrote as follows to his friend, Dr. Fisher, of the Charter House, who had applied to him for a piece of preferment then vacant—
"Dear Fisher,
"I cannot, to-day, give you the preferment for which you ask.
"I remain, your sincere friend, "Eldon. "Turn over."
(On the other side of the page he added) "I gave it to you yesterday."
"Life of Eldon," vol. ii. p. 612.