A king must not stoop to pick up a piece of gold, but a laborer ought to retrace his steps to find ten sous; though both are equally bound to obey the laws of economy.

A daughter of Este, who is worth six millions, has the right to wear a broad-brimmed hat and plume, to flourish her whip, press the flanks of her barb, and ride like an amazon decked in gold lace, with a lackey behind her, into the presence of a poet and say: "I love poetry; and I would fain expiate Leonora's cruelty to Tasso!" but a daughter of the people would cover herself with ridicule by imitating her.

To what class do you belong?
Answer sincerely, and I will answer the question you have put to me.
As I have not the honor of knowing you personally, and yet am bound to you, in a measure, by the ties of poetic communion, I am unwilling to offer any commonplace compliments.

Perhaps you have already won a malicious victory by thus embarrassing a maker of books.
The young man was certainly not wanting in the sort of shrewdness which is permissible to a man of honor.

By return courier he received an answer:-- To Monsieur de Canalis,--You grow more and more sensible, my dear poet.