1814. June

July

28.-Commons on his return; all the members rose, and enthusiastically cheered him as he entered.

Created by the King of the Netherlands, Field Marshal of the United Netherlands.

1815. June 18.-Battle of Waterloo.

-Enters Paris a second time, which capitulates to him. -The Parliament add £200,000 to its former grants to the Duke, in order that a palace might be built for him. -Created Prince of Waterloo by the King of the Netherlands.

ANECDOTE OF WELLINGTON.

The Duke of Wellington, when last in the Netherlands, and travelling without attendants, in a part of the country where his multitudinous titles were not well understood, was overtaken on the road by a veteran officer,

an old acquaintance, whose route lay in the same direction with that of his Grace.

The Duke having occasion to stop, and as the officer would reach a certain town several hours before him, he requested that the veteran would take the trouble of ordering dinner for him, at the principal inn. The old officer made his bow of assent, and proceeded on his mission.

When he arrived, he walked up to the landlord, and in rather a loud tone said, 'I am. desired to order dinner here, and by the way, I had better state who for.'-Then calling for pen, ink, and paper, he presented the astonished and delighted host with a list of his forthcoming illustrious guests.

'What a noble company,' exclaimed the host, in extacy. He then began to tell them

over.

One Prince-Three Dukes-One Marquis -A Marshal General of France-An English Governor-An English Lord Lieutenant-The master General of the Ordnance and Two English Colonels-Six Field Marshals-One Grandee of the Highest ClassA Capt. General of Spain-Twelve Knights and a Doctor of Civil Laws!!

'Mon Dieu !' again exclaimed the host"Thirty-two Great Personages !!'

All the provision of the town, all the delicacies of the season, and all the celebrated wines were immediately put in requisition for the illustrious company, in expectancy.

At last the Duke of Wellington arrived, and was ushered into a spacious dining room where a cloth was laid with thirty-two plates, &c.

The person of the Duke was unknown to the inn-keeper, who, full of important preparations for the thirty-two Great Personages, thought of nothing else.

I ordered dinner here,' said his Grace. 'Mon Dieu !' responded the inn-keeper, · are you one of the thirty-two Great Personages?' presenting the list at the same time. His Grace glanced his eye over it. They are all here!' said he, 'so send up the dinner immediately.'

The inn-keeper stood aghast with amazement. At last finding utterance, he ventured to express a hope that his Grace would be pleased to take into consideration, that he had, at great trouble and expense, provided a most sumptuous entertainment for thirty

two Great Personages. The devil take the thirty-two Great Personages,' exclaimed the Duke, send up the dinner and your bill.'

Thus I must pay the penalty,' said he, 'for not having invited the old veteran to be of the party.'

This anecdote finely illustrates the titles of the Duke, at the beginning of the chapter.

ANECDOTE OF PETER PINDAR.

WHEN this celebrated satirist was on his death-bed, and very near his end, he was visited by a friend, who had stuck to him through life, and who, being greatly affected at the gradual decay of the poet, inquired if there remained any thing for the hand of friendship to perform? At once the_vital spark of life seemed to be rekindled; Peter roused himself, and, with peculiar emphasis, exclaimed, Give me youth again.'

WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.

'Each change of many-coloured life he drew,
Exhausted worlds, and then imagined new ;
Existence saw him spurn her bounded reign,
And panting time toiled after him in vain ;
His powerful strokes presiding truth impressed,
And unresisting passion stormed the breast.'

THIS immortal, divine, and inspired poet, the pride of England and the glory of the English language, was born April 23, 1564, at Stratford-on-Avon, in Warwickshire, a small town about 90 miles distant from London. His father, John Shakspeare, was a considerable dealer in wool, and was at one time possessed of a small patrimonial estate; but from losses in trade, or from other misfortunes, his circumstances became much reduced.

Dr. Johnson has thus accurately drawn the character of Shakspeare, as a dramatic writer Shakspeare is, above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and of life. His