y, of the penury of subjects for
satire in his life and character, since an accident, which might have
happened to the greatest hero that ever lived, was resorted to as an
imputation on his character."

* * * * *

ROGERS AND "JUNIUS."

Samuel Rogers was requested by Lady Holland to ask Sir Philip Francis
whether he was the author of _Junius' Letters_. The poet, meeting
Sir Philip, approached the ticklish subject thus: "Will you, Sir
Philip--will your kindness excuse my addressing to you a single
question?" "At your peril, Sir!" was the harsh and curt reply of the
knight. The intimidated bard retreated upon his friends, who eagerly
inquired of him the success of his application. "I do not know," Rogers
said, "whether he is Junius; but, if he be, he is certainly Junius
_Brutus_."

* * * * *

ALFIERI'S HAIR.

Alfieri, the greatest poet modern Italy produced, delighted in
eccentricities, not always of the most amiable kind. One evening, at the
house of the Princess Carignan, he was leaning, in one of his silent
moods, against a sideboard decorated with a rich tea service of china,
when, by a sudden movement of his long loose tresses, he threw down one
of the cups. The lady of the mansion ventured to tell him, that he had
spoiled the set, and had better have broken them all. The words were no
sooner said, than Alfieri, without reply or change of countenance, swept
off the whole service upon the floor. His hair was fated to bring another
of his eccentricities into play. He went one night, alone, to the
theatre at Turin; and there, hanging carelessly with his head backwards
over the corner of the box, a lady in the next seat on the other side of
the partition, who had on other occasions made attempts to attract his
attention, broke out into violent and repeated encomiums on his auburn
locks, which were flowing down close to her hand. Alfieri, however,
spoke not a word, and continued his position till he left the theatre.
Next morning, the lady received a parcel, the contents of which she
found to be the tresses which she had so much admired, and which the
erratic poet had cut off close to his head. No billet accompanied the
gift; but it could not have been more clearly said, "If you like the
hair, here it is; but, for Heaven's sake, leave _me_ alone!"

* * * * *

SMOLLETT'S HARD FORTUNES.

Smollett, perhaps one of the