The only other "curiosity of literature" was a remark in
Count Beast's speech. He replied for the "Ambassadors," and said that he had been fixed upon to represent them, not as the oldest, but as the youngest member of the Corps, and added, "I cannot
aspire to the eminence of a Benjamin, but still I hope that you will extend to me the indulgence which is usually granted to the last-born." We suppose the Count simply referred to the eminence of "little Benjamin, their ruler," in furnishing the first king to Israel, and could not have intended a covert tribute to Mr. Dis- raeli, who has so often passed in the politioal badinage of England under that name,—especially in relation to the text as to Benjamin's mess being five times as much as any of his brethren's. But the phrase "the eminence of a Benjamin" in such a context was certainly somewhat quaint.
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