A NOVEL FAVORITE. 73 



and his qualities. In figure, he is a model of miniature pro- 

 portion, a match for the German Dwarfs, a rival of General 

 Tom Thumb, and a contrast to many of his pigmy order, 

 frightful in big-headedness, or bulk of limb. He is clad in a 

 coat of mail, which he never doffs ; yet be not alarmed at his 

 military array ; for its wearer is as little formidable as certain 

 field marshals, the marshal of the City, or the men in armour 

 at the Lord Mayor's show. Never, indeed, was carpet knight 

 more gentle ; and though he wears spurs (badge of his order) 

 they were not won in fight ; nor does he ever plunge them into 

 ladies' trains. His armour how shall we describe it for 

 lustre, taste, and finish ? The finest suit that ever issued from 

 the work- shops of Milan, rich in the most cunning inlay of 

 gold or steel, would prove, if compared with it, a rude, un- 

 sightly piece of workmanship. On the back of the corslet, 

 burnished green and gold are the prevailing hues, while in 

 front, on breast-plate, cuisse, and gauntlet, the lustre of the 

 precious metal is predominant, mingled with changeable reflec- 

 tions of purplish crimson. But description fails in doing jus- 

 tice to an array so brilliant. Let us proceed, therefore, to its 

 owner's character and habits, which are in all respects conso- 

 nant to his polished exterior. His gentleness has been before 

 adverted to, and he is no less distinguished for taste and deli- 

 cacy. No gross and greedy appetite defiles his form or nature ; 

 for nothing coarser than honey or the golden farina of flowers, 

 moistened by the juice of fruits, makes up his table of regale- 



