75. A gentleman being at Dinner at a Friend's House, the first thing that came upon the Table was a Dish of Whitings, and one being put upon his Plate, he found it stink so much that he could not eat a Bit of it, but he laid his Mouth down to the Fish, as if he was whispering with it, and then took up the Plate and put it to his own Ear; the Gentleman at whose Table he was, enquiring into the meaning, he told him he had a Brother lost at Sea about a Fortnight ago, and he was asking that Fish if he knew any thing of him; and what Answer made he, said the Gentleman; he told me, said he, he could give no Account of him, for he had not been at Sea these Three Weeks.

I would not have any of my Readers apply this Story as an unfortunate Gentleman did, who heard it, and was the next Day whispering a Rump of Beef at a Friend's House.

-- Joe Miller's jests: or, The wits vade-mecum. Being a collection of the most brilliant jests; the politest repartees; the most elegant bons mots, and most pleasant short stories in the English language. First carefully collected in the company, and many of them transcribed from the mouth of the facetious gentleman, whose name they bear; . . .