“A supercilious grocer, if inclined that way, might snub A child with ‘_But regusa store, babe, rots a sugar-tub_.’ “Thy spectre, Alexander, is a fortress, cried Hephaestion. Great A. said, ‘_No, it’s a bar of gold, a bad log for a bastion!_’ “A timid creature, fearing rodents—mice and such small fry— ‘_Stop, Syrian, I start at rats in airy spots_,’ might cry. “A simple soul, whose wants are few, might say, with hearty zest, ‘_Desserts I desire not, so long no lost one rise distressed_.’ “A stern Canadian parent might in earnest, not in fun, Exclaim, ‘_No sot nor Ottawa law at Toronto, son!_’ “A crazy dentist might declare, as something strange or new, That ‘_Paget saw an Irish tooth, sir, in a waste gap!_’ True! “A surly student, hating sweets, might answer with _elan_, ‘_Name tarts? no, medieval slave, I demonstrate man!_’ “He who in Nature’s bitters findeth sweet food every day, ‘_Eureka! till I pull up ill I take rue_,’ well might say.” Equivoque. COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY CARDINAL RICHELIEU TO THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT ROME. First read the letter across, then double it in the middle, and read the first column. §Sir§,—Mons. Compigne, a Savoyard by birth, a Friar of the order of Saint Benedict, is the man who will present to you as his passport to your protection, this letter. He is one of the most discreet, the wisest and the least meddling persons that I have ever known or have had the pleasure to converse with. He has long earnestly solicited me to write to you in his favor, and to give him a suitable character, together with a letter of credence; which I have accordingly granted to his real merit, rather I must say, than to his importunity; for, believe me, Sir, his modesty is only exceeded by his worth, I should be sorry that you should be wanting in serving him on account of being misinformed of his real character; I should be afflicted if you were as some other gentlemen have been, misled on that score, who now esteem him, and those among the best of my friends; wherefore, and from no other motive I think it my duty to advertise you that you are most particularly desired, to have especial attention to all he does, to show him all the respect imaginable, nor venture to say any thing before him, that may either offend or displease him in any sort; for I may truly say, there is no man I love so much as M. Compigne, none whom I should more regret to see neglected, as no one can be more worthy to be received and trusted in decent society. Base, therefore, would it be to injure him. And I well know, that as soon as you are made sensible of his virtues, and shall become acquainted with him you will love him as I do; and then you will thank me for this my advice.