Worcester.
_Princes' Whipping-boys_ (Vol. v., pp. 468. 545.).--In your publication are
notices respecting two whipping-boys, Edward Browne and William Murray, who
both endured punishment for the offences of English princes. I, however,
think it not improbable such infliction was perpetrated in other kingdoms,
and perhaps in Spain, for the improvement of Philip III. or some such
worthy scion of royalty. Le Sage, who was a most incomparable observer of
men and manners, has, in his admirable novel of _Gil Blas_, introduced,
with purely natural humour, and in his style so _naïf_, an instance of such
mode of correction. In livre 5ième, chap. i., there is the history of Don
Raphaël, who at twelve years of age was selected by the Marquis de Leganez
to be the companion of his son of the same age, who "ne paraissait pas né
pour les sciences," and scarcely knew a letter of his alphabet. The story
goes on with describing various endeavours of his masters to induce him to
apply to his studies, but without success: till at last the _Précepteur_
thought of the expedient to give _le fouet_ to young Raphaël whenever the
little Leganez deserved it; and this he did without mercy, till Raphaël
determined to elope from the roof of the Marquis de Leganez: and in some
degree to revenge himself for all the injustice he had suffered, took with
him all the _argent comptant_ of the Précepteur, amounting to one hundred
and fifty ducats. In concluding, I may observe that there is a very neat
edition of _Gil Blas_ lately published in Paris, with _illustrated
vignettes_ by _Gigoux_, one of which represents the Précepteur operating
upon the unfortunate Raphaël:
"... horribili sectêre flagello."--_Hor._
and young Leganez looking on seemingly unconcerned!
[Theta].
Richmond.
"_Grub Street Journal_" (Vol. vii., p. 108.).--Some particulars relating to
this work are given in Drake's _Essays on the Rambler, &c._, vol. i. p. 66.