I met with a person sometime ago of the name of Birmingham, and was pleased with the hope of finding a member of that ancient and honorable house; but he proved so amasingly ignorant, he could not tell whether he was from the clouds, the sea, or the dunghill: instead of traceing the existence of his ancestors, even so high as his father, he was scarcely conscious of his own.
"An History of Birmingham (1783)"
William Hutton
His memory ought to be transmitted with honor, to posterity, for promoting the harmony of his neighbourhood, but he ought to have been buried in a dunghill, for punishing an innocent animal.
"An History of Birmingham (1783)"
William Hutton
He's game enough on his own dunghill, but a high-blooded lass like you ought to be his master by this time.
"Hetty Wesley"
Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch