footman I engaged is a steady, little, old man, with a red face and a powdered poll, who appears in black breeches and coat, but who says himself that his size has marred his fortune.  He is cockney born, about fifty; quality and splendor act forcibly on his imagination, and he is much condemned in the houses where I visit on account of his dwarfish stature”; and we are told that the English favor pretty faces for their maids and fine figures for their footmen.

[Illustration:  ST. JAMES PLACE, LONDON.]

To a Mr. Spencer whom Cooper met in France was due the visit soon paid him by his near neighbor, the author of the “Pleasures of Memory.”  Of Samuel Rogers Cooper wrote:  “He very kindly sought me out”; and, “few men have a more pleasant way of saying pleasant things.”  His visit was followed by an invitation to breakfast the next morning.  Cooper continues:  “It was but a step from my door, and you may be certain I was punctual.”  He found the poet’s home perfection for a bachelor’s needs; only eighteen feet front, but the drawing-room and dining-room were lined with old masters.  And in the bow-window stood the “Chantrey Vase,” placed by its maker when artist workman in the room where he later dined as Chantrey the sculptor and Rogers’ honored guest.  The library was filled with valuable books and curiosities in history, literature, and art.  Of this poet’s dream-home Cooper wrote:  “Neither he nor any one else has a right to live in so exquisite a house and expect everybody to hold their tongues about it.  Taking the house, the host, the mental treats he dispenses, the company, and the tone, it is not easy to conceive of anything better in their way.  Commend me in every respect to the delicious breakfasts of St. James Place!” On one occasion, “Rogers, talking of Washington Irving’s ‘Columbus,’ said, ’in his airy, significant way,’ as Moore called it, ‘It’s rather long.’  Cooper turned round on him and said sharply, ‘That’s a short criticism.’” This banker-poet could be severe on his English friends too, as it appears “Lady Holland was always lamenting that she had nothing to do.  One day, complaining worse than ever that she did not know ‘what to be at,’” said Rogers, “I could not resist recommending her to try a novelty—­try and do a little good.”

[Illustration:  SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY.]

[Illustration:  SAMUEL ROGERS.]

[Illustration:  ROGERS’ LONDON HOME.]

[Illustration:  ROGERS’ BREAKFAST ROOM.]

Through Samuel Rogers Cooper was soon dining at Holland House, in the much-carved and gilded room where Sully and embassy supped in 1603.  By a word to the porter, Sir James Mackintosh had planned a pleasant half-hour for his American friend in the gardens, where was Rogers’ seat, and then in the library on the second floor, where he saw its each-end tables.  The generous space between is said to have been paced by “Addison when composing,” and his inspiration quickened by kindly “bottles placed on them