THE SCOFFER ABROAD 173 



eighteenth century had certain social aspects greatly to 

 be deplored, upon which a vivid glare of light has been 

 thrown, casting into unmerited shade much that was 

 good. And the lovers of scandal have had their fill. No 

 one could be placed on a social pedestal, without being 

 exposed to the shafts of envious or jealous scribblers and 

 caricaturists. In the days of which we speak, slander and 

 caricature were at their best or worst. A small tribe of 

 men, who either distrusted or despised the public recogni- 

 tion of virtue and worth, had arisen, that earned their 

 living by reckless defamation, and the best men suffered 

 with the worst. 



The net result of these " lyttel gestes " is to be seen in 

 the character popularly ascribed to George III. Many 

 of the familiar fables (as, for example, the King's investi- 

 gation into the making of an apple-dumpling) are trace- 

 able to Peter Pindar. Nor is Horace Walpole to be held 

 innocent of innuendoes which have served to distort most 

 lamentably the character of the King. 



Horace Walpole had very friendly relations with 

 Banks. He was generally in touch with him on archaeo- 

 logical matters, in association with Richard Payne Knight. 

 Marbles and vases, and costly editions of the Classics, and 

 the possession of unlimited means for the indulgence 

 of these tastes, cemented the association of these three 

 worthy men, Walpole's fancy did not go so far as Natural 

 History toys and playthings, but any new wonder in art 

 was sure to attract him ; and perhaps awake his ridicule, 

 as we know. Miss Berry met him at Banks's house one 

 evening : 



" Where was a Parisian watchmaker, who produced 

 the smallest automaton that I suppose was ever created. 

 It was a rich snuff-box, not too large for a woman. On 

 opening the lid, an enamelled bird started up, sat on the 

 rim, turned round, fluttered its wings, and piped in a 

 delightful tone the notes of different birds, particularly 



