uncertin

Updated: May 24, 2025

The young man was very polite, and I thankt him kindly. After visitin the Refreshment room and partakin of half a chicken "of a uncertin age," like the Roman antiquitys I have previsly spoken of, I prepared to leave.

Artemus Ward - The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 5: The London Punch Letters

Now, I like the British Mooseum, as I said afore, but when I see a lot of erthen jugs and pots stuck up on shelves, and all "of a uncertin date," I'm at a loss to 'zackly determin whether they are a thousand years old or was bought recent. I can cry like a child over a jug one thousand years of age, especially if it is a Roman jug; but a jug of a uncertin date doesn't overwhelm me with emotions.

Artemus Ward - The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 5: The London Punch Letters

I enjoyed myself very much lookin at the Egyptian mummays, the Greek vasis, etc, but it occurd to me there was rayther too many "Roman antiquitys of a uncertin date."

Artemus Ward - The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 5: The London Punch Letters

Jugs and pots of a uncertin age is doubtles vallyable property, but, like the debentures of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, a man doesn't want too many of them. I was debarred out of the great readin-room. A man told me I must apply by letter for admission, and that I must get somebody to testify that I was respectable. I'm a little 'fraid I shan't get in there.

Artemus Ward - The Complete Works of Artemus Ward — Part 5: The London Punch Letters