But when this wretched madman, the Macedonian I mean, rode out in his chariot, and forgetful of his wry neck—for he _had_ a wry neck, and limped to boot,—and despite his very red nose and his blood-shot eyes, dressed like Diana, the goddess of Chastity, a Persian purple robe about him, and over his naked shoulder a bow and a quiver,—he must have looked as ridiculous in the eyes of the beholders, as if the late Sir William Curtis, who was so solemnly ridiculous in kilts, had exhibited himself daily in front of the Mansion-house in the dress and attitude of the Magdalene of Correggio. In more modern days, we _have_ had the gods and goddesses assumed by mortal men; but then it has been to amuse, and not to awe the multitude. They were often introduced in the mediæval shows when Burgundy exulted in her Dukes. I may cite, as an instance, the solemnity of the first entry into Lille of Charles the Bold, in his character of Duke of Burgundy. The delicate citizens got up a “mystery” whereby to do honour to the refined prince, which excited great amusement. It was “The Judgement of Paris.” To represent Venus, a tall and enormous woman had been selected, who weighed some twenty stone; Juno was as tall as Venus, but she was withered and lean; Minerva bore a hump both before and behind; while all three goddesses were naked, only wearing rich crowns upon their heads. Charles the Bold must have been as much pleased with pastime like this, as Dr. Pusey would doubtless be were he, in company with Father Newman, to take advantage of an order for two, and go and see Mr. Paul Bedford in the part of Norma. Mark Antony was, despite his habit of getting drunk by daylight, so careful a dresser that he may be ranked among the _beaux_. Indeed he was specially fantastic in some of his fashions; and, by way of proof that he was the very “first fine gentleman” of his day, it is only necessary to cite what Textor says of him in the preface to the ‘Cornucopia,’ namely, “M. Antonius, Triumvir, corporis excrementa non nisi vasis aureis excipiebat.”