The first diving bell was nothing but a very large kettle, suspended by ropes, with the mouth downwards, and planks to sit on fixed in the middle of its concavity. The Greeks at Toledo, in 1588, made an experiment before the Emperor Charles V. with it, when they descended with a lighted candle to a considerable depth. In 1683, William Phipps, the son of a blacksmith, formed a project for unloading a rich Spanish ship, sunk at Hispaniola; Charles II. gave him a ship, with every necessary for the undertaking, but being unsuccessful, Phipps returned in great poverty. He then endeavoured to procure another vessel, but failing, he got a subscription, to which the Duke of Albemarle contributed. In 1687, Phipps set sail in a ship of 200 tons, having previously engaged to divide the profits according to the twenty shares of which the subscription consisted. At first all his labours proved fruitless, but at length, when he seemed almost to despair, he was fortunate enough to bring up so much treasure that he returned to England with £200,000 sterling. Of this sum he got about £20,000, and the Duke of Albemarle £90,000. Phipps was knighted by the King, and laid the foundation of the present house of Mulgrave. ❦ [Sidenote: Le Bonheur.] Il ne faut jamais renoncer au bonheur. Les sources du bien et du mal sont cachées, et nous ignorons laquelle doit s’ouvrir pour arroser l’espace de la vie. ❦ After the massacre of St. Bartholomew, the following lines were stuck up in every part of France: L’on demande la convenance De Catherine et Jesabel, L’une Reine d’Israel, L’autre Reine de la France, L’une étoit de malice extrême, Et l’autre est la malice même; Enfin le jugement est tel, Par une vengeance divine, Les chiens mangèrent Jesabel, La charogne de Catherine Sera différente en ce cas, Car les chiens n’en voudront pas! The murders that Catherine is accused of, with too great probability, are a fearful list: Queen Jane of Navarre, her own son Charles IX. the Viscount de Chartres, the Secretary Lomerica, Du Guast, favourite of Henri III. and others ad infinitum. ❦ [Sidenote: Epitaph.] I’ve lost my mistress, horse, and wife, And when I think on human life, It’s well it is no worse; My mistress violent and bold, My wife curst ugly and a scold; I’m sorry for my horse! ❦ [Sidenote: Prosperity and Adversity.]