veto." This is a dangerous fellow, beware of him.

Polypi mentem obtine.

Imitate the polypus. Change your plan of living according to circumstances, accommodate yourself to the dispositions of the persons with whom you are to live, or to form any intimate connection. "Become all things to all men." Brutus, that he might escape the malignancy of Tarquin, who had destroyed his father, and his brother, assumed the character of idiotcy, whence he obtained his name. His stratagem succeeded, no mischief being to be apprehended, as Tarquin supposed, from so degraded a being. He was therefore suffered to live, and in time became principally instrumental in freeing his country from the tyranny of the Tarquins, and in laying the foundation of a popular form of government, which continued upwards of 700 years. The proverb took its rise from a supposed power of the polypus of assuming the colour of any substance to which it adheres. When pursued

it clings to the rocks, and taking the same colour, often escapes unnoticed.

Multæ Regum Aures atque Oculi. "An nescis longas Regibus esse Manus ?" "Kings," we say, "have long arms," they have also many eyes and ears, that is, they use the ministry of their many servants and dependents, both to discover what is done that may be prejudicial to their interest, and to punish the delinquents, whose crimes may by these means have been detected, though seated at the extremities of their dominions. Hence we say, by way of caution, to persons speaking too freely, on subjects that may give offence, do you not know that "Les murs ont des oreilles?" "Walls have ears." This sentiment is beautifully expressed in the Eccle siastes Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, and curse not the rich, in thy bedchamber, for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which hath wings, shall tell the matter."

The number of spies and emissaries employed by Midas, king of Phrygia, who was a

cruel tyrant, gave occasion to the fable of Antoninus that prince's having asses ears.

Caracalla, a monster in wickedness, and therefore full of suspicion, not only was frequent in his application to augurs, and soothsayers, in the hope that by their means he might discover whether any designs were hatching against his life, but he made it a serious complaint against Providence, that he was not endowed with the faculty of hearing with his own ears, whatever was said of him: so impotent is the influence of wealth or eminence, in imparting happiness to the possessor, unless, like Titus, he employs them in diffusing blessings among the people. "Paredes tienen oydos," et "Tras pared, ni tras seto no digas tu secreto."-Walls have ears, and behind a wall or a hedge do not tell a secret.

Malo Nodo malus quærendus Cuneus. A tough and harsh knot, is not to be attempted to be cut by a fine tool; it can only be overcome by the application of a strong wedge. Great difficulties or diseases are not ordinarily subdued, but by powerful remedies,

which may not be applied, perhaps, without
some degree of danger. The adage also in-
timates, that in repelling injuries, we may use
weapons, or means, similar to those with which
we have been attacked. Craft and cunning
may therefore be properly had recourse to, in
opposing the machinations of the malevolent,
and unjust. A horse perceiving that a lion
was endeavouring by pretending to be skilful
in medicine to entice him into his power, in
order to destroy him, asked him to look at a
swelling which he affected to have in his foot,
and the lion preparing to examine the part,
the horse gave him so violent a stroke with
his heels, as laid him sprawling on the ground.
The adage also means, that a lesser evil is
sometimes obliterated by a greater, and one
passion or affection of the mind by another.
"Even as one heat another heat expels,

Or as one nail by strength drives out another,
So the remembrance of my former love,

Is by another object quite forgotten."

Oleum Camino addere.

"Jetter de l'huile sur le feu," to add fuel to the fire; irritating instead of appeasing the enraged

D 3

enraged passions.

Giving wine to young

persons, whose blood is ordinarily too hot, is "adding fuel to the fire."

Ululas Athenas portas.

The owl was a favoured bird among the Athenians, and so abounded, that sending owls to Athens, was like "carrying water to the sea," or, "coals to Newcastle." It was, according to the Spanish phrase, "Vender miel al Colmenaro," offering honey to one who had bee-hives; "Crosî pecuniæ ter unciam addere," or adding a farthing to the wealth of Croesus, esteemed in his time, the richest monarch in the world. The adage is also applicable to persons telling as news what is generally known, or offering to instruct any one in arts, with which he is well acquainted. Making presents to the rich, and neglecting friends or relations, to whom such assistance might be beneficial, are acts falling also under the censure of this proverb.

Suum cuique pulchrum.

We each of us think, that whatever we

possess,