MEMOIR OF PLINY. 73 



fewer there than should be. Appelles acknowledged 

 the fault, mended it by next morning, and set forth 

 his table as his manner was. The same shoomaker 

 coming by agairie, took some pride vnto himselfe that 

 his admonition had sped so well, and was so bold as 

 to cauil at something about the leg. Appelles could 

 not endure that, but puttirg forth his head from be- 

 hind, * Sirrah,' quoth he ' remember you are but a 

 shoomaker, and therefore meddle no higher, I aduise 

 you;' which words afterwards came to be a common 

 prouerb, Ne sutor ultra crepidam. King Alexander 

 the Great much frequented his shop in his owne per- 

 son ; and, besides, gave commandemerit that no paint- 

 er should be so bardie as to draw his pictures, but 

 only Appelles. Now, when the King, being in his 

 shop, would seem to talk much, and reason about 

 his art, and many times let fal some words to little 

 purpose, bewraying his ignorance, Appelles, after his 

 mild manner, would desire his grace to hold his 

 peace ; and said, * Sir, no more words, for feare the 

 premise boies there, that are grinding of colours, do 

 laugh you to scorn.' So reverently thought the king 

 of him that, being otherwise a cholericke prince, he 

 would take any words at his hand in that familiar 

 sort, and be neuer offended." 



The preceding short analysis will suffice to give 

 an idea of the general nature of this great magazine 

 of natural knowledge, such as it existed among the 

 Romans. It. affords a store of rare and curious in- 

 formation on most subjects connected with the arts 



