For instance, in his controversy with the critics he originally said that “Ruskin’s high-sounding, empty things ... flow of language that would, could he hear it, give Titian the same shock of surprise that was Balaam’s when the first great critic proffered his opinion.” A very literal correspondent wrote to the papers that the “ass was right,” and quoted the Bible in proof. Nothing daunted, Whistler acknowledged the hit, saying, “But, I fancy, you will admit that this is the only ass on record who ever did see the Angel of the Lord, and that we are past the age of miracles.” Years after, in referring to the matter, he improved his reply to, “But I fancy you will admit that this is the only ass on record that ever was right, and the age of miracles is past.” * * * * * His love of epigram was so great that nothing which was terse or pointed escaped his ears or fled his memory. One day, while lunching with a friend who knew something about the habits and eccentricities of good wine, Whistler was telling about the peculiarities of Henry James, how James would drag a slender incident through several pages until it was exhausted, whereupon his friend casually remarked: “The best of wine is spoiled by too small a spiggot.” Immediately alert, Whistler said: “What’s that? what’s that you said? Did you get that out of Shakespeare?” “Not at all; it is simply a physical fact that if you let good wine dribble through a small spiggot you lose its fragrance and character.” “God bless me, but I believe you are right; and it’s a good saying,--it’s James to a--drop.” * * * * * No doubt there are many still living who knew Whistler in those early Paris days, but if so, few have so far made known their reminiscences. One fellow-student describes one of the places they used to dine inexpensively as follows:[8] “In Paris, in the fifties, there existed in the Rue de la Michandiere what appeared to be an ordinary Paris creamery. In the front shop were sold milk, butter, and eggs. Over the door was the usual painted tin coffee-pot, indicating that _caffé au lait_, and eggs, butter, and rolls could be obtained in the back room.