This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ...were drivelling idiots. But the worst of the whole thing is the fact that amongst these idiots may be included the wisest, best, and most beautiful of the human species. It was said that you could not please Madame De S'rAieL so much as by telling her she was beautiful, or win your way to the heart of Madame R:: AM1eR by any other method so simple as that of extolling her talents. In like manner you may achieve an ascendency over a civil engineer by flattering the brilliancy of his manners, and over a man of the world by referring to the profundity of his scientific views. Mr. GLADSTONE cares very little for his reputation as a Statesman so long as he is complimented for his skill on the violin, and Mr. COURTLY achieved a prominent place among Indian administrators by proclaiming the V101zaor to be a firstrate shot, which he was not. PAGANINI was proud, not of his fiddle-playing, but of his dancing: the late Sir vILLIA.i FoLns'npiqued himself, not on his law, but on his knowledge of military strategies; and Mr. BRIGHT thinks nothing of his oratory in comparison with his skill in gafling a salmon. I once knew a lady--H1: AvF.N help me how ugly she was She imagined all the world in love with her, and, in her compulsory innocency, laboured to destroy her own reputation. In vain did we express our firm belief in the purity of her morals. W e were met by angry rejoinders and protestations of the most outrageous principles. This is one chamber of the Paradise of Fools. Mr. Ds VALsEY, the great Cotillon leader, o ines that his conversation is what makes him acceptable; w ile Baron De BULLION, the great banker, thinks he is loved for himself alone. Young Viscount RoSSITER, a Cornet in the Blues, with a beard as big as a. turnip-top, and eyes..