I am still inclined to think that the metaphor, in its present concise form at all events, does not belong to Montaigne, though it may owe its origin to some passage in the Essays. See, for example, one in book i. chap. 24.; another in book ii. chap. 10., in Hazlitt's second edition, 1845, pp. 54. 186.
But I have not forgotten Montaigne's motto, "Que sçais-je?" The chances are that I am wrong. I should certainly like to see his right to the saying satisfactorily proved by reference to book, chapter, and page.
C. FORBES.
Temple.
At the conclusion of the preface to the thick 8vo. edition of the Elegant Extracts, Verse, published by C. Dilly, 1796, you will find these words:—
"I will conclude my preface with the ideas of Montaigne. 'I have here only made a nosegay of culled flowers, and have brought nothing of my own but the thread that ties them.'"
R. S. S.
56. Fenchurch Street.
Table Book (Vol. i., p. 215.).
—See Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. xxi., Antiq. pp. 3-15, and some specimens in the museum of the Academy. (Proceedings, vol. iii. p. 74.)