lord cornwallis once asked his aidy kong why the american poet always had such an air of listening as if for some expected sound. "i give it up," retorted the aidy kong. "it is," said lord cornwallis, as he took a large drink from a jug which he had tied to his saddle, "because he is trying to see if he cannot hear his bed-ticking." on the following day he surrendered his army, and went home to spring his bon-mot on george iii.