[A] The writer of this remembers to have had a curious illustration of this several years ago from Dr. Colley Lucas, then surgeon general for the East India company's establishment at Madras. Lucas was the son of the celebrated Irish patriot, Doctor Charles Lucas. When the parliament voted Mr. Grattan £50,000 for doing what had been done before to his hand by Lucas and Flood, Colley speaking of it said, with some bitterness, "Ay, my father laid the egg—Flood hatched it, but Grattan has run away with the chicken."
[B] This reminds us of Doctor Johnson's proud observation on Lord Chesterfield, "his lordship may be a wit among peers, but he is only a peer among wits."
[C] Thus translated by Francis,
Whate'er disputes of ancient poets rise,
In some one excellence their merit lies;
What depth of learning old Pacuvius shows!
With strong sublime the page of Accius glows;
Menander's comic robe Afranius wears,
Plautus as rapid in his plots appears,
As Epicharmus; Terence charms with art
And grave Cœcilius sinks into the heart.
These are the plays to which our people crowd,
'Till the throng'd playhouse crack with the dull load.
These are esteemed the glories of the stage
From the first drama to the present age.
[D] See last number page 351, 352.