LEAVES THEY HAVE TOUCHED. 147 



continent of Europe. Mr. Ashley quotes a German couplet to the 



effect that — 



" If the devil have a son, 

 Then be sure it's Palmerston." 



And Borrow, in the tenth chapter of his " Bible in Spain," describes 

 in an amusing manner the reverence shown on a certain occasion in 

 that country to the autograph signature of the English Minister. 

 " Seilor Nacional," said Borrow to the civic guard on entering the 

 gate of the town of Jaraicejo, "You must know that I am an Eng- 

 lish gentleman, travelling in this country for my pleasure. I bear a 

 passport which, on inspecting, you will find to be perfectly I'egular ; 

 it was given me by the great Lord Palmerston, Minister of England, 

 Avhom you, of course, have heai'd of here ; at the bottom you will see 

 his own handwriting, look at it and rejoice — perhaps you will never 

 have another opportunity. As I put unbounded confidence in the 

 honour of every gentleman," Borrow continued, " I leave the passport 

 in your hands, whilst I repair to the posada to refresh myself" The 

 national guard, on bringing back the document, makes many inquiries 

 about Palmerston, whom he takes to be a great military personage ; 

 he asks whether he was likely to assume personally the command of 

 the British Legion in Spain, to which Borrow replies, " No ; but he 

 has sent over to head the fighting men, a friend of his, who is thought 

 to he nearly as much versed in military matters as himself." After 

 having his curiosity satisfied on this and some other points, the guard 

 asks again to see the signatare of the " Caballero Balmerston." " I 

 showed him the signature," Boitow says, '■ which he looked upon 

 with a profound reverence, uncovering his head for a moment : we 

 then embraced and parted." 



II. (1.) To the group in the British series, containing relics of 

 Mrs. Piozzi, Garrick, and Dr. Parr, I now subjoin what was long 

 with me a desideratum, a fragment in the handwriting of Dr. Samuel 

 Johnson. It consists of a brief request to Mr. Cadell to have two 

 pairs of two of the Doctor's early political pamphlets half bound and 

 sent to him speedily. These were brochures, briefly spoken of here 

 as the " False Alarm" and the " Falkland Islands," written to order 

 for the ministry of the day, and supporting, unhappily, the weaker 

 side of the several questions involved. Thus the message transcribed 

 from the original runs: "Mr. .Johnson begs the favour of Mr. 

 Cadell that he will send to his Binder two False Alarms, and two 



