John Gilpin.—­Henderson, the actor, in his public readings, first brought into notice the humorous tale of John Gilpin, which he recited with such spirit and comic effect that it drew public attention to the poems of Cowper in general, which, excellent as they are, particularly The Task, were but little known at the time, though they are now justly in universal estimation.

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Bibb the Engraver.—­Taylor relates:  How Bibb supported himself, having relinquished engraving, it would be difficult to conceive, if he had not levied taxes upon all whom he knew, insomuch that, besides his title of Count, he acquired that of “Half-crown Bibb,” by which appellation he was generally distinguished; and according to a rough, and, perhaps, fanciful estimate, he had borrowed at least 2,000_l._ in half-crowns.  I remember to have met him on the day when the death of Dr. Johnson was announced in the newspapers, and, expressing my regret at the loss of so great a man, Bibb interrupted me, and spoke of him as a man of no genius, whose mind contained nothing but the lumber of learning.  I was modestly beginning a panegyric upon the doctor, when he again interrupted me with, “Oh! never mind, that old blockhead.  Have you such a thing as ninepence about you?” Luckily for him I had a little more.

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Worst Leg—­Theophilus Cibber was by no means wanting in abilities or humour.  He had ill-formed legs; and having projected one of them in company, which was noticed with a laugh, he offered to lay a wager that there was a worse in company; and it being accepted, he put forward his other leg, which was indeed more ill-shaped than the other.

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A Painter’s Gratitude.—­Zoffani, the celebrated painter, who was born at Frankfort, 1735, came to England, as a painter of small portraits, when he was about the age of thirty years.  He had the honour to be employed by his Majesty, and painted portraits of the royal family; and he was engaged by the Queen, to paint for her a view of the Tribune of the Gallery of Florence.  He was somewhat of a humorist; and it is said of him, that whilst he was engaged painting in the Florentine Gallery, the Emperor of Germany visited the Grand Duke; and coining up to Zoffani, in the Gallery, was much pleased with his performance, and asked him his name; and on hearing it, inquired what countryman he was, when he answered, “An Englishman.”—­“Why,” said the Emperor, “your name is German!”—­“True,” returned the painter.  “I was born in Germany, that was accidental; I call that my country where I have been protected!” He was a member of the Royal Academy, and died in 1808.

P.T.W.

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