willing, put in full execution), will testify so truly and abundantly of me, as I need not to be the publisher of the dignity and worth of mine own institution. Written with mine own hand, Anno 1609. December 15.

Sir Thomas Bodley died on the 28th of January 1612, and was buried in Merton College Chapel. He is still commemorated in an annual oration, which is delivered at the visitation of the library.

POPE

375.

relates that some one had observed of a measure proposed, that the people would never bear it. "None of us," replied Robert Harley, "know how far the good people of England will bear."

376.

VIGNEUL MARVILLE says:-When I was

at Rome I frequently saw Claude, who was then patronised by the most eminent persons in that city. I frequently met him on the banks of the Tiber, or wandering in the neighbourhood of Rome, amidst the venerable remains of antiquity. He was then an old man, yet I have seen him returning from his walk with his handkerchief filled with mosses, flowers, stones, &c., that he might consider them at home with that indefatigable attention which rendered him so exact a copier of nature. I asked him one day by what means he arrived at such an excellency of character

among painters, even in Italy. "I spare no means whatever, even in the minutest trifles." I was delighted with the modesty of this venerable genius.

IN

377.

N the town where Addison was born is the following tradition of a curious excursion made by him when a boy :-Being at a country school, he committed some slight fault, when his fear of being corrected for it was so great that he ran away from his father's house, and fled into the fields, where he lived upon fruits, and took up his lodging in a hollow tree, till, upon the publication of a reward to whoever should find him, he was discovered and restored to his parents.

IN

378.

N the year after George the First came to the throne, Thomas Doggett, a comedian, who was zealously attached to the House of Hanover, gave a waterman's coat and badge, to be rowed for by six watermen, on the anniversary of that King's accession to the throne; and at his death bequeathed a certain sum of money, the interest of which was to be appropriated annually, for ever, to the purchase of a like coat and badge, to be rowed for in honour of that day. Doggett, as an author, has left behind him a comedy called, "The Country Wake," 1696, 4to., which has since been. altered into a ballad farce under the title of "Flora, or Hob in the Well." He died in 1712.

379.

THE Duke of Montague, who resided in St

James's Park, frequently observed a middleaged man in something like a military dress, of which the lace was much tarnished, and the cloth worn threadbare. He always appeared at a certain hour in the Mall. His countenance was grave and solemn; and he took no notice of the gay crowd that was passing by him.

The Duke singled him out as a fit object for a frolic. He began to exercise his mirth by inquiring into his history. He soon learned that he was a reduced officer upon half-pay; that he had behaved with great bravery in the late war; that he had a wife and several children, whom he was obliged to send into Yorkshire, where they could live cheap; and that he reserved a small pittance of his income to keep himself near the metropolis, where alone he could hope to obtain a more advantageous situation.

The Duke took an opportunity, when the Captain was sitting alone upon one of the benches, buried in speculation, to send his servant to him with compliments and an invitation to dinner the next day. The Duke placed himself at a convenient distance, saw his messenger approach without being perceived, and begin to speak without being heard. He saw his intended guest start at the message, and question its authenticity. The Captain was at length persuaded of its reality,

though very much surprised at its singularity. He returned thanks for the honour intended him, and said he would wait upon his Grace at the time appointed.

He came. The Duke received him with great civility, took him aside, and with an air of secrecy informed him that he was induced to give him this invitation at the particular request of a lady who had a most tender regard for him. The Captain was confounded, and seemed as if he did not know. whether to receive it as an affront or compliment. The Duke assured him upon his honour that he had told him nothing but the strictest truth.

Dinner was announced. The Captain entered the room with great curiosity and wonder, which was not diminished when he saw at the table his own wife and children. The Duke began his frolic by sending for them out of Yorkshire. The wife was as much astonished as the husband; care being taken that she should have no opportunity of sending a letter. This sudden, unexpected meeting produced very pleasing effects. It afforded the Duke much satisfaction; but it was with difficulty he got his guests quietly seated at table.

Soon after dinner, word was brought that the Duke's solicitor attended. He was introduced, and pulled out a deed for the Duke to sign. He was desired to read it, and apologised to the company for the interruption. The captain and his wife were still more astonished, if possible, when

they found the writings contained a settlement of £200 per annum upon them and their family. The instrument was executed, and the Duke presented it to the Captain, saying, "Sir, I beg your acceptance of this. I assure you it is the last thing I would have done, could I have laid out my money more to my satisfaction.”

380.

PEEL, addressing his constituents in 1834, spoke of the Reform Bill of 1832 as a final and irrevocable settlement of a great constitutional question-a settlement which no friend to the peace and welfare of this country would attempt to disturb, either by direct or by insidious means.

"THERE

381.

'HERE can be nothing more ridiculous," said Lord North one day, "than the manner in which the Council of State assemble in certain negro nations. In the Council Chamber are placed twelve large jars half-full of water. Twelve Counsellors of State enter naked; and stalking along with great gravity, each leaps into his jar, and immerses himself up to the chin; and in this pretty attitude they deliberate on the national affairs."

"You do not smile," continued the minister, addressing himself to Fox. "Smile!" said Charles, "No; I see every day things more ridiculous than that." "More ridiculous!" returned his Lordship, with an air of surprise. "Yes!" answered the