Page:1898 NB Magazine.djvu/290
And quickly we become,
Giddy as new born calves, and reel
Like Indians drunk with rum.
What praises then are due that we
Thus far have safely got,
Amarescroggin tribes to see
And tribes of Penobscot."
It need scarce be added that Joe Green's verses were purely a burlesque. The hymn actually written by Dr. Byles on this occasion has been preserved, and is quite a creditable production.
A few specimens of the Doctor's wit as a punster will prove entertaining. On a certain occasion, as he was riding along the road, he overtook two well known town officials whose conveyance had become hopelessly broken down in the midst of a mud slough, thereby compelling the unfortunate occupants to flounder nearly to their middle in the mire in order to reach terra firma. "Ah! gentlemen," said the Doctor, "how often have I called your attention to this abominable place; I am truly glad to see you now stirring in the matter."
The Doctor was one day engaged in nailing some list upon his doors to exclude the cold. A member of his flock, who was passing observed to him, "The wind bloweth wheresoever it listeth, Doctor?" "Yes sir," replied the Doctor, "and man listeth wheresoever the wind bloweth."
At the time of the American Revolution, Dr. Byles was denounced as a tory, placed under surveillance and confined to this house and garden and a guard placed over him. The guard, soon after, was discontinued, but a little later replaced and again discontinued. "I have been," said the Doctor, "guarded, regarded, and disregarded." He called his sentry "observatory."
To his wit and imperturable good humor he was