The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions,impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages

Front Cover
Carleton, 1866 - History - 428 pages
 

Contents

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 307 - The devil is tying a knot in my leg, Mark, Luke and John, unloose it, I beg, Crosses three we make to ease us — Two for the thieves, and one for Christ Jesus.
Page 34 - Now, Barnum, you have made a good thing out of the California menagerie, and so have I ; but you will make a heap more. So, if you won't give me this new hunter's dress, just draw a little writing, and sign it, saying that I may wear it until I have done with it.
Page 38 - fresh from the mint. I confess I was somewhat staggered at this sight, and quickly asked the man where those birds came from. A dull, lazy smile crawled over the sober face of my German visitor, as he replied in a slow, guttural tone of voice : " What you think yourself? " Catching his meaning, I quickly
Page 207 - A company for carrying on an undertaking of great advantage, but nobody to know what it is.
Page 31 - performed "the savage monsters, beating and whipping them into apparently the most perfect docility, probably not one suspected that this rough, fierce-looking, powerful demi-savage, as he appeared to be, was suffering intense pain from his broken skull and fevered system, and that nothing kept him from stretching himself on his deathbed but
Page 28 - many of the most ferocious among them would attack a stranger without hesitation, if he came within their grasp. In fact, the training of these animals was no fool's play, as Old Adams learned to his cost ; for the terrific blows which he received from time to time, while teaching them " docility,
Page 41 - I was ready to burst with laughter to see how readily Adams swallowed the bait, but maintaining the most rigid gravity, I replied : " Oh well, Mr. Adams, if they are really so common in California, you had probably better take them, and you may write over and have half a dozen pairs sent to me for the Museum.
Page 284 - As lookers-on feel most delight That least perceive a juggler's sleight; And still the less they understand, The more they admire his sleight of hand.
Page 309 - Hare, hare, God send thee care ! I am in a hare's likeness now ; But I shall be woman even now — Hare, hare, God send thee care
Page 262 - whose celebrated work not only gives an account of the general appearance and habits of a most interesting tribe of flying Indians; but, also, of all those more delicate and engaging traits which the author was enabled to discover by reason of the conjugal, relations he entered into with one of the females of the winged tribe.

Bibliographic information