And Kingsley goes to Froude for history.
Fitness
Suggested by the oratorical exploits of a lawyer in court who has a fluency of tongue without a counterpoise of brain, and, as a consequence, uttered more than he knew or the court could understand. Some one who listened to his ambitious eloquence in behalf of his client and witnessed the nervous gymnastics with which he scratched his back as he proceeded, wrote as follows:
When Nature formed Simpkins she called for her shears,
“We must shorten this fellow,” she said, “in the ears.”
But added at last: “We will let the ears pass;
What is long for a man is just right for an ass.”
Concerning Welsh Poets
’Tis said, O Cambria, thou hast tried in vain
To form great poets; and the cause is plain.