The Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English; / or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and Modern

by Abel Boyer

92

James I. King of England, asking the Lord Keeper Bacon, what he thought of the French Ambassador; he answer’d, that he was a tall, proper Man. Ay, replied the King, What think you of his Head-piece? Is he a proper Man for an Ambassador? Sir, said Bacon, Tall Men are like high Houses, wherein commonly the uppermost Rooms are worst furnished.

92

Jaques I. Roy d’Angleterre demandant au Chancellier Bacon, ce qu’il pensoit de l’Ambassadeur de France; il respondit que c’ètoit un homme de belle taille. Ouy, repliqua le Roy, mais que dites vous de sa tête? Est-elle propre pour une Ambassade? Sire, dit Bacon, les Gens grands sont comme les Maisons de cinq ou six etages, ou les Chambres les plus hautes sont ordinairement les plus mal garnies.