any have fancied between the superiority of the
moderns to the ancients, and the elevation of a dwarf on the back of a
giant, is {126} altogether false and puerile. Neither were they giants,
nor are we dwarfs, but all of us men of the same standard; and _we_,
the taller of the two, by adding their height to our own. Provided
always that we do not yield to them in study, attention, vigilance, and
love of truth; for if these qualities be wanting, so far from mounting
on the giant's shoulders, we throw away the advantages of our own just
stature, by remaining prostrate on the ground."

Ludovicus Vives, the eminent Spanish writer, died in 1540, and therefore
preceded the active period of Lord Bacon's mind by about half a century.

Mr. Stewart likewise cites the following sentences of Seneca, which,
however, can hardly be said to contain the germ of this thought:--

"Veniet tempus quo ista quae nunc latent, in lucem dies extrahet, et
longioris aevi diligentia.... Veniet tempus, quo posteri nostri tam
aperta nos nescisse mirabuntur."--_Quaest. Nat._ viii. 25.

L.

_Umbrella_ (Vol. i., p. 414.; Vol. ii., pp. 25. 93. 126. 346. 491. 523.;
Vol. iii., p. 37.).--Although I conceive that ample proof has been given in
your columns that umbrellas were generally known at an earlier period than
had been commonly supposed, yet the following additional facts may not
perhaps be unacceptable to your readers.

In Bailey's _Dictionary_, vol. i. (8th edit. 1737), are these articles:--

"PARASOL, a sort of small canopy or umbrella, to keep off the rain."

"UMBELLA, _a little shadow_; an umbrella, bon-grace, skreen-fan, &c.,
which women bear in their hands to shade them."

"UMBELLIFORUS _Plants_ [among _botanists_]. Plants which have round
tufts, or small stalks standing upon greater; or have their tops
branched and spread like a lady's _umbrella_."

"UMBRELLO [_Ombrelle_, F.; _Ombrella_, Ital. of _Umbrella_, or
_Umbrecula_, L.], a sort of skreen that is held over the head for
preserving from the sun or rain; also a wooden frame covered with cloth
or stuff, to keep off the sun from a window."

In Bailey's _Dictionary_, vol. ii. (3rd edit. 1737), is the following:--

"UMBELLATED [_Umbellatus_, L.]; bossed. In _botan. writ._ is said of
flowers when many of them grow together, disposed somewhat like an
_umbrella_. The make is a sort of broad,