oes not
here allude to the yoke of Rome.

Instead of being ashamed, has he not rather cause to be proud of a book
which has had the honour of being rancorously abused and execrated by the
very people of whom the country has least reason to be proud?

One day Cogia Efendy went to a bridal festival. The masters of the
feast, observing his old and coarse apparel, paid him no consideration
whatever. The Cogia saw that he had no chance of notice; so going
out, he hurried to his house, and, putting on a splendid pelisse,
returned to the place of festival. No sooner did he enter the door
than the masters advanced to meet him, and saying, "Welcome, Cogia
Efendy," with all imaginable honour and reverence, placed him at the
head of the table, and said, "Please to eat, Lord Cogia." Forthwith
the Cogia, taking hold of one of the furs of his pelisse, said,
"Welcome, my pelisse; please to eat, my lord." The masters looking at
the Cogia with great surprise, said, "What are you about?" Whereupon
the Cogia replied, "As it is quite evident that all the honour paid is
paid to my pelisse, I think it ought to have some food
too."--PLEASANTRIES OF THE COGIA NASR EDDIN EFENDI.

IN DEFENCE OF BORROW.

When the publishers of "The Minerva Library" invited me to write a few
introductory words to this edition of Borrow's "Romany Rye," I hesitated
at first about undertaking the task. For, notwithstanding the kind
reception that my "Notes upon George Borrow" prefixed to their edition of
"Lavengro" met with from the public and the Press, I shrank from
associating again my own name with the name of a friend who is now an
English classic. But no sooner had I determined not to say any more
about my relations with Borrow than circumstances arose that impelled me,
as a matter of duty, to do so. Ever since the publication of Dr. Knapp's
memoirs of Borrow attacks upon his memory have been appearing--attacks
which only those who knew him can repel.

His has indeed been a fantastic fate! When the shortcomings of any
illustrious man save Borrow are under discussion, "_les defauts de ses
qualites_" is the criticism--wise as charitable--which they evoke. Yes,
each one is allowed to have his angularities save Borrow. Each one is
allowed to show his own pet unpleasant facets of character now and
then--allowed to show them as inevitable foils to the pleasant ones--save
Borrow. _His_ weaknesses no o