* * * * *
_Sir Hercules Langreish and his Friend._--We found him in his study
alone, poring over the national accounts, with two claret bottles empty
before him, and a third bottle on the wane; it was about eight o'clock
in the evening, and the butler, according to general orders when
gentlemen came in, brought a bottle of claret to each of us. "Why," said
Parnell, "Sir Heck, you have emptied _two bottles_ already." "True,"
said Sir Hercules. "And had you nobody to help you?" "_O yes_, I had
that bottle of _port_ there, and I assure you he afforded me very great
assistance!"--_Sir Jonah Barrington._
_The Irish Bar._--They used to tell a story of Fitzgibbon respecting a
client who brought his own brief, and fee, that he might personally
apologize for the smallness of the latter. Fitzgibbon, on receiving the
fee, looked rather discontented. "I assure you, counsellor," said the
client (mournfully) "I am ashamed of its smallness; but in fact it is
all I have in the world." "Oh! then," said Fitzgibbon, "you can do no
more:--as it's all you have in the world--why--hem--I must _take it_."
* * * * *
Speaking of the Catholics in the hall of the Four Courts, Keller seemed
to insinuate that Norcott was favourable to their emancipation. "What!"
said Norcott, with a great show of pomposity--"what! Pray, Keller, do
you see anything that smacks of the _Pope_ about me?" "I don't know,"
replied Keller; "but at all events there is a great deal of the
_Pretender_, and I always understood them to travel in company."
_National Gallery and Record Office, on the site of the King's Mews,
Charing Cross._--The estimated expense of erecting the above building is
50,000_l_.; the amount proposed to be taken for the present year is
15,000_l_.; leaving to be granted in future years 35,000_l_. The
proposed building will be 461 feet in length and 56 feet in width in its
extreme dimensions, and will consist of a centre and two wings. The
western wing will contain, on the ground floor, rooms for the reception
of records, and an entrance into the barrack-yard such as now exists.
Above them will be the picture-gallery, divided into four rooms; one 50
feet by 50 feet; two 50 feet by 38 feet; and one room 50 feet by 32
feet; together with four cabinets for the reception of small pictures,
or for the use of the keeper. The floors will be made fire-proof. The
eastern wing, of similar extent, will contain, on the ground floor, a
hall for casts, the library and council-room of the Royal Academy, and a
dwelling for the keeper. There will be likewise a gateway or entrance
corresponding to that leading into the barrack-yard in the other wing.
In the basement below this wing there will be offices for the use of the
Royal Academy, and a separate set attached to the dwelling-house of the
keeper. The centre building will consist of halls, vestibules,
staircases, &c. for both establishments; they will be distinct and
separated; but so brought together as to form one grand feature of
interior decoration. The building is proposed to be executed in stone.
The central portico is to be constructed with the columns and other
members of that which formerly decorated the palace at Carlton House.
The materials of the present building are to be used in the construction
of the new building, so far as they can be employed with propriety. The
whole cost of the building will be 50,000_l_., exclusive of the old
materials above mentioned, which have been valued at 4,000_/l_. It is
impossible to state with any degree of accuracy the cost of the grates,
air-stoves, and fittings of the buildings, which will mainly depend upon
the mode to be adopted in warming them; but it may be confidently stated
that it will not exceed 600_l_.--_Parliamentary Paper, No. 611._
_Home Truth._--"Give me my liar," was the phrase in which Charles the
Fifth was used to call for a volume of history; and certainly no man can
attentively examine any important period of our annals without
remarking, that almost every incident admits of two handles, almost
every character of two interpretations; and that, by a judicious packing
of facts, the historian may make his picture assume nearly what form he
pleases, without any direct violation of truth.--_Quarterly Rev._
_Envy._--"Of all the spies that are," says Mr. Owen Feltham, "envy is
the most observant and prying. When the physicians to Frederick were
relating what most would sharpen the sight, some were for fennel, and
some for glasses, and others for other matters; the noble Actius did
assure them, there was nothing that would do it like envy. Whatsoever
man does ill, by it is magnified, and multiplied; his failings are all
watched, drawn out, and blazed to the world; and under the pretence of
good, he is oft led to the extremest issue of evil. Like oil that is
poured upon the roots of trees, which softens, it destroys and withers
all the branches. And being once catched, with scorn he is insulted on.
For envy is so unnoble a devil, that it ever tyrannizeth most upon a
slip or low prostration, at which time gallant minds do most disdain to
triumph. The envious is more unhappy than the serpent: for though he
hath poison within him, and can cast it upon others, yet to his proper
bosom it is not burdensome, as is the rancour that the envious keeps;
but this most plainly is the plague, as it infects others, so it fevers
him that hath it, till he dies. Nor is it more noxious to the owner than
fatal and detrimental to all the world beside. It was envy first unmade
the angels and created devils. It was envy first that turned man out of
Paradise, and with the blood of the innocent first dyed the untainted
earth. It was envy sold chaste Joseph as a bondman, and unto crucifixion
gave the only Son of God. He walks among burning coals that converses
with those that are envious. He that would avoid it in himself, must
have worth enough to be humble and beneficent. But he that would avoid
the danger of it from others, must abandon their company."
_Extraordinary Whipping._--During the minority of King James I. he was
at Stirling Castle, under the tuition of the celebrated Buchanan. It is
reported that Buchanan's reverence for his royal pupil, did not prevent
his giving him a severe whipping when he persisted against remonstrance,
in disturbing him whilst he was reading. Historians do not tell us how
the royal pupil supported this chastisement. Swift says, "Heirs to
titles and large estates, have a weakness in their eyes, and are not
able to bear the pain and indignity of whipping." P.T.W.
* * * * *
_Erratum_ in page 2--the line quoted from Montgomery should be "The
parrots swung like blossoms on the trees."
* * * * *
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