The king of France, being at Calais, sent over an embassador, a verie tall
person, upon no other errand but a complement to the king of England. At
his audience he appeared in such a light garb, that afterwards the king
ask'd Lord-keeper Bacon "what he thought of the French embassador?" He
answer'd, "That he was a verie proper man."--"I," his majestie replied,
"but what think you of his head-piece? is he a proper man for the office,
of an embassador?"--"Sir," returned he, "it appears too often, _that tall
men are like high houses of four or five stories, wherein commonlie the
upper-most room is worst-furnished_."
* * * * *
The following anecdote is perfectly indicative of that dry humour which
forms what Oxonians call a _cool hand_:--When Mr. Gurney, afterwards
rector of Edgefield, in Norfolk, held a fellowship of Bene't, the master
had a desire to get possession of the fellows' garden for himself. The
rest of the fellows, resigned their keys, but Gurney resisted both his
threats and entreaties, and refused to part with his key. "The other
fellows," said the master, "have delivered up their keys."--"Then, master,"
said Gurney, "pray keep them, and you and I will keep all the other
fellows out."--"Sir," continued the master, "am not I your
master?"--"Granted," said Gurney, "but am I not your fellow?"
* * * * *
Louis XIV. was such a gourmand, that he would eat at a sitting four
platesful of different soups, a whole pheasant, a partridge, a plateful
of salad, mutton hashed with garlick, two good sized slices of ham, a dish
of pastry, and, afterwards, fruit and sweetmeats. The descendant Bourbons
are slandered for having appetites of considerable action; but this
appears to have been one of a four or five man power.
* * * * *