s; but in that delicate perception of human character
and human manners, so correctly, so elegantly, and often so humourously
delineated in the numbers of the _Mirror_ and _Lounger_, where Mr.
Mackenzie was the chief contributor, as well as in his other works, and in
his general views of the great principles of moral conduct, there have
been few authors more distinguished. The elegant society in Edinburgh,
well known in former days by the name of the "Mirror Club," consisted,
besides Mr. Mackenzie, of several gentlemen who were afterwards Judges in
the Court of Session--viz. Lord Bannatyne, Lord Cullen, Lord Abercrombie,
Lord Craig, and also Mr. George Home and Mr. George Ogilvie. The first,
now Sir William Bannatyne, a venerable and most accomplished gentleman of
the old school, is the only survivor. Mr. Mackenzie was in his 86th year,
having been born in 1745. His eldest son is Lord Mackenzie, at present an
eminent Judge in the Courts of Session and Justiciary.

--_Edinburgh Evening Courant._

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.

SHAKSPEARE.

ARCH POETRY.

Pope Leo X. was particularly fond of Querno, a poet, the author of "The
Alexiad," and who, at an entertainment given by some young men of rank,
had been dignified with the appellation of "The Arch Poet." Leo used
occasionally to send him some dishes from his table; and he was expected
to pay for each dish with a Latin distich. One day, as he was attending
Leo at dinner, and was ill of the gout, he made this line:

_Archi-poeta facit versus pro mille poetis:_

What pains for others the arch poet takes,
He for a thousand poets verses makes.

As Querno hesitated for the next line, the good-humoured Pontiff replied--

_Et pro mille aliis Archi-poeta bibit:_

If for a thousand he's obliged to think,
He chooses for as many more to drink.

Querno, willing to make up for his former deficiency, exclaimed--

_Porrige, quod facient mihi carmina docta Falernum:_

To aid my genius, and my wit refine,
Most Holy Pontiff, pour Falernian wine.

The Pope immediately replied--

_Hoc vinum enervat debilitatque pedes:_

I shall supply that wine with sparing hand,
Which from the feet takes off the power to stand.

J.G.B.

* * * * *

DOUBTING.

The mind that never doubts shall learn nothing; the mind that ever doubts
shall never pro