Leg Glance, by Samuel Rogers

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ASTON then said in a loud voice, “I have been in Ireland, and am well acquainted with the natives.” The Irishman was all ear. Aston went on, “The Irish, being born in bogs, are every one of them web-footed; I know it for a fact.”

“Sir” roared the duellist, starting up from his table, “it is false!” Aston persisted in his assertion. Sir,” cried the other, “I was born in Ireland; and I will prove to you that it is a falsehood.” So saying, in great haste he pulled off his shoes and stockings, and displayed his bare feet. The joke ended in Aston’s sharing the purse between the Irishman and himself, giving the former thirty guineas, and keeping twenty. Sir George assured me that this was a true story.

by Samuel Rogers 1763-1855

From ‘Table Talk of Samuel Rogers’ by Samuel Rogers (1763-1855).

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What claim did Aston make about the Irish?

Questions for Critics

Sevens

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