WILLOW-PATTERN PLATE. 739 
Accordingly, when the Trojan band, led by Aineas, entered 
Italy, and sailed up the Tiber, prior to laying the foundations 
of Rome, ‘‘ being constrained by hunger,” they proceeded 
“ Violare manu, malisque audacibus orbem 
Fatalis crusti patulis, nec parcere quadris.” 
‘‘ Their table cakes by tooth, and hand, with zest, 
Then to consume: 
(‘‘ Heus; etiam mensas consumimus ? “‘ inquit Tulus.”) 
‘ What! eating plates as well ?’ Iulus called in jest.” 
thereby fulfilling the prediction of a favourable haven from the 
Gods at last. Similarly, for ourselves, at the conclusion of our 
present lengthy task, we make bold to adopt the classic metaphor, 
and, lacking further foods to discuss, we thank the fates and 
devour our tables. 
“ Haec erat illa fames: haec nos suprema manebat 
Exitiis positura modum.” 
“This was that famine: this was found the last 
Of all our search: the tedious term, and bound.” 
Materially, of course, we cannot here eat the dishes whereof the 
contents are furnished, to be “read, marked, learned, and 
inwardly digested.” Nevertheless, the ability is granted us to 
deduce a mental meal from the mense whereon our many topics 
have been served in the pages now ended; and to hail a happy 
final issue to our labours through the moral fodder of the 
homely 
Wittow-PattTERN PLATE, 
“Few persons know what an instructive fiction, 
Familiar to our eyes from childhood’s date, 
Is told us in dramatic dark-blue diction 
At meal-times on a Willow-pattern plate, 
So, I propose to represent the story, 
And to perform its plot upon my page ; 
But let me first depict in all their glory 
The scenic beauties of our stone-ware stage ! 
Be seated, pray, and take in hand a platter, 
Fetched by trim Phyllis from the kitchen shelf ; 
Then, like a classic Chorus, I will chatter 
The while you look attentive on the delf. 
—Just where an actor from the left would enter 
. Its inner circle, splendid buildings stand, 
Having a proud Pagoda in their centre, 
- With upper chambers, opulent and grand. 
