Prince Rupert, the cavalryman, was fond of chemistry, and invented the glass drops called by his name.
Berlioz, though so famous as a composer, could play no instrument except the guitar, and that very badly.
Hazlitt was an enormous drinker of strong tea, which completely upset his nerves and made him miserable.
Tycho Brahe, “the Wizard of the Golden Nose,” always became sick at the stomach whenever he saw a fox.
Herrick, the poet, was fond of pigs as pets, and taught one to follow him about and to drink beer out of a mug.
Francis Bacon was very fond of fine clothes, and spent much of his leisure in devising new costumes for court occasions.
Edward Fitzgerald was a vegetarian, and believed that in adopting such a diet he had, to quote his own words, found “the great secret of it all.”
Charles Dickens was fond of wearing gaudy jewelry, and the clanking of his numerous gold chains announced his coming while he was yet some distance away.
Henry W. Longfellow had a weakness for flowered waistcoats, and he possessed many of gorgeous pattern and color.
Queen Victoria of England shared the common superstition about salt. She would reprimand any guest who was unfortunate enough to spill it, and throughout the remainder of the meal she would be disturbed and in ill-humor.