“This buoyancy it was—­this irrepressible spring of mind,—­that now enabled him to bear up not only against the assaults of others, but what was still more difficult, against his own thoughts and feelings.  The muster of all his mental resources to which, in self-defence, he had been driven, but opened to him the yet undreamed extent and capacity of his powers, and inspired him with a proud confidence, that he should yet shine down these calumnious mists, convert censure to wonder, and compel even those who could not approve to admire.

“The route which he now took, through Flanders and by the Rhine, is best traced in his own matchless verses, which leave a portion of their glory on all that they touch, and lend to scenes, already clothed with immortality by nature and by history, the no less durable associations of undying song.”

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

    A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. 
                                   SHAKSPEARE.

SELDEN,

Towards the close of his life, was so thoroughly convinced of the superior value of the Holy Scriptures, as to declare that the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th verses of the second chapter of St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus, afforded him more solid satisfaction than all he had ever read.

H.B.A.

* * * * *

FULL-BOTTOMED WIGS.

The full-bottomed wigs which unfortunately envelope and cloud some of the most distinguished portraits of former days, were in fashion during the reigns of our William and Mary.  Lord Bolingbroke was one of the first that tied them up, with which the queen was much offended, and said to a by-stander, “he would soon come to court in his night-cap.”  Soon after, tie wigs, instead of being an undress, became the high court dress.

H.B.A.

* * * * *

A WINDOW THE CAUSE OF A WAR.

When the Palace of Trianon was building for Louis XIV. at the end of Versailles’ Park, that monarch went to inspect it, accompanied by Louvois, secretary of war, and superintendent of the building.  Whilst walking arm in arm with him, he remarked that one of the windows was out of shape, and smaller than the rest—­this Louvois denied, and asserted that he could not perceive the least difference.  Louis XIV. having had it measured, and finding that he had judged rightly, treated Louvois in a contumelious manner before his whole court.  This conduct so incensed the minister, that when he arrived home he was heard to say, that he would find better employment for a monarch than that of insulting his favourites:  he was as good as his word, for by his insolence and haughtiness he insulted the other powers, and occasioned the bloody war of 1688.