The Duke of Wellington was both dry and British.

>[…] the celebrated [Duke of Wellington](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Sir_Arthur_Wellesley%2C_1st_Duke_of_Wellington.png) was walking down Piccadilly in London. Upon being approached by a stranger who greeted him with “Mr. Smith, I believe,” the Duke responded, “If you believe that, sir, you will believe anything.” __________________________ **Source:** Humes, James C. *Speaker's Treasury of Anecdotes About the Famous*. New York: Harper & Row, 1978. 116. Print. __________________________ **Further Reading:** [Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_1st_Duke_of_Wellington)