It flickered like a paper boat,
Then faded in the dazzling blue.
It could but touch an English heart
To find an English bird so brave;
Our life-blood glowed to see it start
Thus boldly on the leaguered wave."
A few fortunate persons possess copies of Mr. Gosse's catalogue of his library, and it is, I rejoice to say, on the Foxwold shelves. It is a most charming work, reflecting on every page, by many subtle touches, the refined humour and wide knowledge of the collector. Mr. Austin Dobson wrote for the final fly-leaf as follows:—
"I doubt your painful Pedants who
Can read a dictionary through;
But he must be a dismal dog,