A book of similar interest is True Dialogues of the
Dead, and this book, too, is compiled by Mr. Bickley and published by Mr. Guy Chapman. These dialogues are historical conversa- tions as poignant and illuminating, as any imaginary conversation. We have " The End and Fall of Pride and Arrogancy "—the words of Cardinal Wolsey to his suite on the day of his death. Lady Jane Grey, a child of
thirteen, confesses her joy in Plato to Roger Ascham. Horace Walpole has a quarrel with Hogarth, which ends as follows :-
"Hogarth. ' I think it is owing- to - the good sense of the English, that they have not painted better.'
" Walpole.. My dear Mr. Hogarth, I must take my leave of you, you now grow too wild.' "
There are a dozen more conversations ; they were all set down or repeated to the writers, by those who took part in or listened to them. * * * *
Previous page
