* * * * *

The magnificent bishop of Durham, Antony Beke, once gave forty shillings
for as many fresh herrings; and hearing someone say, "This cloth is so
dear that even bishop Antony would not venture to pay for it," immediately
ordered it to be brought and cut up into horse-cloths.



* * * * *

SOLIMAN "THE GREAT."


Here is a specimen of the magnificence with which this historical butcher
treated his fellow-creatures:--

Among the many distinctions of Soliman's reign must be noticed the
increased diplomatic intercourse with European nations. Three years after
the capture of Rhodes, appeared the first French ambassador at the Ottoman
Porte; he received a robe of honour, a present of two hundred ducats, and,
what was more to his purpose, a promise of a campaign in Hungary, which
should engage on that side the arms of Charles and his brother, Ferdinand.
Soliman kept his promise. At the head of 100,000 men and 300 pieces of
artillery, he commenced this memorable campaign. On the fatal field of
Mohacs the fate of Hungary was decided in an unequal fight. King Lewis, as
he fled from the Turkish sabres, was drowned in a morass. The next day the