In early manhood, Edwin Paxton Hood called upon Bulwer Lytton without any introduction. The servant told him that his master could not be seen. On receiving the intimation, Hood took out of his pocket pencil and paper, and wrote as follows:-- "A son of song, to fame unknown, Stands waiting in your hall below; Your footman tells him to begone; Say, mighty Bulwer, shall he go?" It is not surprising to learn that the impromptu lines proved an effective introduction. The interview was the first of many pleasant meetings between the author of _The Caxtons_ and Mr. Paxton Hood. Poetical Graces. Literary by-paths furnish some singular specimens of poetical graces. We produce a few for the entertainment of our readers. Robert Fergusson, the Edinburgh poet, was born in 1751, and was a student at St. Andrews' University from his thirteenth to his seventeenth year. It was the duty of each student, in turn, to ask a blessing at the dinner table. One day, to the consternation of all, the youthful bard repeated the following lines: "For rabbits young, and for rabbits old, For rabbits hot, and for rabbits cold, For rabbits tender, and for rabbits tough, Our thanks we render, for we've had enough." The masters of the college deliberated how they should punish the graceless poet. It was finally resolved not to censure him, but to have in the future a more spare supply of rabbits. Poor Fergusson's sad career closed in a lunatic asylum at an early age, not, however, before he had enriched Scottish poetical literature with some important contributions. Burns appears to have had a great admiration for this wayward son of song. He placed over his remains in the Canongate Churchyard, Edinburgh, a tombstone bearing the following inscription:-- "Here lies Robert Fergusson, Poet, born September 5th, 1751, Died October 16th, 1774. No sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay No storied urn, nor animated bust; This simple stone directs pale Scotia's way To pour her sorrows o'er her Poet's dust." On the back of the stone it is stated:-- "By special grant of the Managers to Robert Burns, who erected this stone, this burial place is ever to remain sacred to the memory of Robert Fergusson." More than one poetical grace is attributed to the facile pen of Burns. His grace before dinner is well known, and is as follows:-- "Oh Thou who kindly dost provide For every creature's want! We bless Thee, God of nature wide, For all Thy goodness lent: And if it please Thee, Heavenly guide, May never worse be sent, But whether granted or denied, Lord, bless us with content." It is said that at one of Burns's convivial dinners he was desired to say grace, and he gave the following, impromptu: "O Lord we do Thee humbly thank For what we little merit;-- Now Jean may tak' the flesh away, And Will bring on the spirit."