Old scrap book.
FADS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE.
Some of the Follies of Which Men and Women of Genius Have Been Guilty—Queen Elizabeth Was Profane, Queen Victoria Was Superstitious, While Bacon, Dickens, and Longfellow Were Confirmed Dandies.
No man or woman is so strong as to be wholly free from weakness. If a man occupies an humble sphere in life he usually is fortunate enough to keep his fads and follies from becoming known beyond his own circle of friends. If, on the other hand, he has attained sufficient distinction in the world to be called “famous,” he must reconcile himself to seeing the public in possession of all knowledge that has to do with his personal peculiarities.
Descartes had a small garden where he spent all the hours not devoted to mental labor.
Queen Elizabeth was very profane, and when angry would kick and cuff her maids.
Matthew Arnold’s dogs, cat, and canary bird are mentioned dozens of times in his poems.
Domitian spent his leisure in catching flies and piercing them through with a needle.
William the Conqueror was immoderately devoted to dog-fighting and bear-baiting.
David, the artist, when not painting, amused himself by scraping on an old fiddle.