One of my earliest recollections is the great physician HARVEY, who, indeed, knew me from my birth.  Although an exceedingly able man, he was a confirmed glutton.  He would at the most ceremonious of dinner-parties push his way through the guests (treating ladies and gentlemen with the like discourtesy) and plumping himself down in front of the turtle soup, would help himself to the entire contents of the tureen, plus the green fat!  During the last years of his life he abandoned medicine to give his attention to cookery, and (so I have been told) ultimately invented a fish sauce!

I knew HOWARD, the so-called philanthropist, very well.  He was particularly fond of dress, although extremely economical in his washing bill.  It was his delight to visit the various prisons and obtain a hideous pleasure in watching the tortures of the poor wretches therein incarcerated.  He was fined and imprisoned for ill-treating a cat, if my memory does not play me false.  I have been told that he once stole a pockethandkerchief, but at this distance of time cannot remember where I heard the story.

It is one of my proudest recollections that, in early youth, I had the honour of being presented to her late most gracious Majesty, Queen ANNE, of glorious memory.  The drawing-room was held at Buckingham Palace, which in those days was situated on the site now occupied by Marlborough House.  I accompanied my mother, who wore, I remember, yellow brocade, and a wreath of red roses, without feathers.  Round the throne were grouped—­the Duke of MARLBOROUGH (who kept in the background because he had just been defeated at Fontenoy), Lord PALMERSTON, nick-named “Cupid” by Mistress NELL GWYNNE (a well-known Court beauty), Mr. GARRICK, and Signor GRIMALDI, two Actors of repute, and Cardinal WISEMAN, the Papal Nuncio.  Her Majesty was most gracious to me, and introduced me to one of her predecessors, Queen ELIZABETH, a reputed daughter of King HENRY THE EIGHTH.  Both Ladies laughed heartily at my curls, which in those days were more plentiful than they are now.  I was rather alarmed at their lurching forward as I passed them, but was reassured when the Earl of ROCHESTER (the Lord Chamberlain) whispered in my ear that the Royal relatives had been lunching.  As I left the presence, I noticed that both their Majesties were fast asleep.

I have just mentioned Lord ROCHESTER, whose acquaintance I had the honour to possess.  He was extremely austere, and very much disliked by the fair sex.  On one occasion it was my privilege to clean his shoes.  He had but one failing—­he habitually cheated at cards.  I will now tell a few stories of the like character about Bishop WILBERFORCE, THACKERAY, Mrs. FRY, PEABODY, WALTER SCOTT, and Father MATTHEW.

    [No you don’t, my venerable twaddler!—­ED.]

* * * * *

THE LARGE CIGAR.

[Illustration]

  You lie on the oaken mantle-shelf,
    A cigar of high degree,
  An old cigar, a large cigar,
    A cigar that was given to me. 
  The house-flies bite you day by day—­
    Bite you, and kick, and sigh—­
  And I do not know what the insects say,
    But they creep away and die.