The fine art of political humour
By Pramod Sangar

"LIFE," wrote Horace Walpole in his famous maxim, "is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel". The history of humour is as old as human civilisation. Life with or without humour is greatly a matter of habit. You can be happy or despondent at will.

The company of a humorous person is indeed a blessing since he lessens our tensions and gives us the much needed relief. A humorous person is an asset to society. Sidney Smith had rightly said that "it is not a joke to make people laugh". Society’s expectations may not be much from the people of other professions but it expects a lot from a humorous person. The poor man’s faculties are always on fire. "He should therefore be pitied and not just envied." There is no doubt that humour and its allied aspects can flourish in a democratic society and not in a tyranous regime.

Here are a few examples of the ready wit of great luminary John Brinsley Sheridan, the famous author of School for Scandal. Besides being a dramatist whose comedies established a new era in literary history, he was a noted political and social figure of his time. Yet he was perhaps the greatest parliamentary wit of his time. He could easily disarm or destroy his opponent in the ‘witty duels’. Many of his witticisms were definitely inspired by the moment, while others were carefully elaborated. In fact Sheridan worked very hard on his wit and always remained "prepared" with witty remarks or humorous anecdotes that the occasion demanded. On one such occasion, when a member of the House of Commons who was used to making long-winded speeches, suddenly stopped amidst his speech and ordered a glass of water, Sheridan suddenly rose for a point of order. When the Speaker asked about his point of order, Sheridan’s remark was, "Sir, it is out of order for a windwell to go by water.". When Lord Thurlaw, attending a performance of Pizarro, was observed to be fast asleep, Sheridan remarked, "I suppose that he fancies he is on the bench." At one of the earlier contests for Westminster, Paul was his opponent during the course of elections. A lawyer by the name of Richard Wilson, a supporter of Paul, vehemently criticised Sheridan without knowing him. Sheridan asked Richard Wilson, "Do you know Sheridan?" "Not I sir, nor do I wish to know the rascal". The conversation dropped there. Sheridan was on the lookout for a suitable opportunity to strike back and he soon found it. Once Sheridan met Wilson in the company of a few friends where Sheridan soon turned the talk to law.

He said: "It is a fine profession and it gives vast scope to display talent. Many of the most virtuous and noble characters recorded in our history have been lawyers. I am sorry, however, to add that some of the greatest rascals have also been lawyers, but of all the rascals I ever heard of, the greatest is one Wilson who lives in Lincoln’s Inn Fields". "I am Wilson, sir," said that gentleman. "And I am Mr Sheridan," Sheridan replied. Wilson laughed heartily and later on landed a helping hand to Sheridan in his elections.

Once during a debate, Sheridan gave a befitting reply to Dundas: "The right hon’ble gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jest, and to his imagination for his facts". He chanced to come across two royal Dukes in St. Jamestreet, one of whom asked him, "I say Sherry, we have just been discussing whether you are a greater fool or rogue. What is your opinion, my boy? Sheridan having bowed and smiled at the compliment took each of them by an arm and instantly replied, "I believe I am between both".

About an unscrupulous opponent, he once said: "I can laugh at his malice but not at his wit". Sheridan was a staunch believer of political independence but when used against his own party it created an atmosphere of animosity, which led to his downfall. Once, when the Whigs were defeated on a very unpopular Bill of which Sheridan himself had not approved, he remarked that he had often heard of people knocking their brains out against a wall, but never before knew of anyone building a wall especially for the purpose.

Besides being profoundly witty, he was an eloquent speaker and his brilliant example was a five-hour speech against Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of India, and his alleged maltreatment of the Begums or princesses of Oudh in 1787. This speech created such an astounding effect in Parliament that even William Pitt, Prime Minister, had to adjourn the House, as he felt they were under the ward of the enchanter. Pitt said that "it surpassed all the eloquence of ancient and modern times and possessed everything that genuine or art could furnish to agitate or control the human mind". Even persons like Burke, Fox and Byron called it "the very best oration ever conceived or heard in this country".

Sheridan died at the age of 65 in distress due to a variety of reasons. But his funeral was as splendid as he could have wished. Commenting on the contrast of Sheridan’s last year of poverty with the splendour of his funeral, a French newspaper wrote that "France is the place for a man of letters to live in, and England the place for him to die in". Sheridan was indeed a remarkable personality of his times.