THE TRUE AMPHYTRION.
"La veritable Arnphytrion," says Sosia, "eat l'Amphytrion oil l'on dine "; evidently pointing at Louis Philippe. "On dine" in that quarter on all occasions. Anybody who has anything to do begins by dining with the King of the French. Mr. Moon cannot publish a great engraving without first dining with his Majesty. Mr. Sheriff Laurie aspires to be the Howard of the day, and of course he dines with the good King. The Monarch fulfils two functions of Chalk Farm Tavern—he furnishes a butt for pistol-practice, and "an ordinary at two o'clock."
The naivete with which "John Laurie," writing to the Times and the Standard, recounts his own good nature in looking in upon the old gentleman, is very amiable-
" The great interest excited throughout the country on this all-important sub- ject [prison discipline] and the intended revision of our criminal code, made me anxious to ascertain the state of prisons and the discipline in France. My official duties enabling me to devote a few days, I visited Paris for this purp.ra last week; and had been there only a few hours when I received the gracious command of his Majesty the King of the French to dine with him on Saturday, at Nenilly. My reception was, indeed, gratifying, and cannot ever be forgotten by me. The kindness and affability—the terms expressed for the welfare of both great nations —the lively interest he takes in everything connected with the City of London, is a compliment that must make us ever hold so great and so exalted a monarch in the highest estimation; and long may he be preserved as a blessing to both countries."
It is plain that Louis Philippe is quite fond of England and Laurie, and that he does not forget the Lord Mayor and Corpora- tion. Should there be a war between the two countries, Queen Victoria's Ministers need only speak to Mr. Laurie, and he could obtain a peace as easily as you could a ticket for the exhibition of the Art-Union. Nor does the City Sheriff neglect a kind turn. for his old friend and protege— "In passing through France, I could not refrain intimating how deeply I was • impressed with the gracious reception from the King and Queen of the Frwch, and from all the members of the Royal Family; who stand so justly preeminent iu the hearts and affections of the wise and good of both countries."
A home-thrust argumentum ad superbiam to consolidate his friend's throne I The King must feel an unwonted sense of security now that he has John Laurie's good word with the French na- tion. Should any untoward chance, any popular tumult, jerk King Louis Philippe from his regal seat, he will still have that hold- " Laurie tenens tamen." A cunning fellow is the aged Orleansl he well knows what he is about when he asks illustrious foreign- ers to take a chop with him.
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