A NOVEL FAVOURITE. 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, unsightly 

 piece of workmanship. On the back of the corselet, 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 reflections of 

 purplish crimson. But description fails in doing justice to an 

 array so brilliant. Let us proceed, therefore, to its owner's 

 character and habits, which are in all respects consonant to 

 his polished exterior. His gentleness has been before advert- 

 ed to, .and he is no less distinguished for taste and delicacy. 

 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- 



