ANECDOTE

OF

THE PRINCE OF CONTI.

HE Prince of Conti being highly pleased with

THE

the intrepid behaviour of a grenadier, at the fiege of Philipfburgh, in 1734, threw him his purse, excufing the fmallness of the fum it contained, as being too poor a reward for his courage.

Next morning the grenadier went to the Prince with a couple of diamond rings, and other jewels of confiderable value. 6.6 Sir," faid he," the gold I found in your purse, I fuppofe you intended for me; but thefe I bring back to you, having no claim to them." "You have doubly deferved them by your bravery, (faid the Prince) and by your honefty, therefore they are yours."

ΟΝ

ANECDOTE

OF

SWIFT AND ADDISON.

NE evening, during a tete a tete conversation between Addison and Swift, the various characters in scripture were canvaffed, and their

merits and demerits were fully difcuffed. Swift's favourite, however, was Jofeph, while Addifon contended ftrongly for the amiable Jonathan.-The difpute lafted fome time, when the Author of Cato obferved, that it was very fortunate they were alone, as the character which he had been praifing fo warmly was the name-fake of Swift, while the other, of which Swift had been fo lavish in his commendations, was the name-fake of Addifon.

HA

ANECDOTE

OF

AN HIGHWAYMAN.

AWKE, the noted Highwayman, being one evening on the look out, ftopped a gentleman, and bade him deliver. The gentleman protefted he had no money, and was flying from his creditors, in order to avoid a gaol. Hawke, pitying his unhappy fituation, afked him how much would relieve his wants? He was anfwered thirty guineas. He then directed the gentleman to go to a houfe not far off, and wait till nine o'clock in the morning, and he would bring him fomething that would relieve him; accordingly, before the

66

time expired, Hawke made his appearance; and, to the no fmall joy of the gentleman, made him a prefent of fifty guineas; adding, Sir, I prefent this to you with all my heart, wifhing you well:You are welcome to it." Upon which Hawke took his leave, and went away immediately.

ANECDOTE

OF

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD.

IN the war carried on by Louis XII. of France,

fell at

against the Venetians, the town of Brefcia being taken by ftorm, and abandoned by the foldiers, fuffered, for feven days, all the diftreffes of cruelty and avarice. No house escaped but that where the Chevalier Bayard was lodged. At his entrance, the mistress, a woman of figure, his feet, and deeply fobbing, cried, Lord, fave my life; fave the honour of my daughters." "Take courage, Madam," faid the Chevalier," your life and their honour fhall be fecure while I have life."

"Oh! my

The two young ladies, brought from their hiding-place, were prefented to him; and the family

family, thus re-united, bestowed their whole attention on their deliverer. A dangerous wound he had received, gave them an opportunity to exprefs their zeal. They employed a notable furgeon; they attended him by turn, day and night; and when he could bear to be amufed, they entertained him with concerts of mufic.

66

Upon the day fixed for his departure, the mo ther faid to him, "To your goodness, my Lord, we owe our lives, and to you, all we have, belongs by right of war; but we hope, from your fignal benevolence, that this flight tribute will content you," placing upon the table an iron coffer full of money. "What is the fum ?" faid the Chevalier. My Lord," anfwered fhe, trembling," no more than two thoufand five hundred ducats,-all that we have; but if more be neceffary, we will try our friends." "Madam," faid he, "I shall never forget your kindnefs, more precious in my eyes than one hundred thousand ducats. Take back your money. and depend always on me." "My good Lord, you kill me, to refuse this small fum; take it only as a mark of your friendship to my family." Well," said he, "fince it will oblige you, I take the money; but give me the fatisfaction of bidding adieu to your amiable daughters." They came to him with looks of regard and affec

tion.

"Ladies," faid he, "the impreffion you have made on my heart will never wear out.What return to make I know not, for men of my profeffion are feldom opulent; but here are two thousand five hundred ducats, of which the. generofity of your mother has given me the difpofal: accept them as a marriage prefent; and may your happiness in marriage equal your merit."

"Flower of chivalry," cried the mother, "May the God who fuffered death for us, reward you here and hereafter."

AN ANECDOTE.

OF

SIR ROBERT WALPOLE.

THE following is as ftriking an instance of profound policy, as perhaps ftands upon

record in the annals of any nation.

Sir Robert Walpole having fome point to carry in which the Bishops were interested, expected powerful oppofition from that quarter. The Archbishop of Canterbury was indebted to him entirely for his exaltation; and as he had often made

the