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No better does a hat fit his head, or shoe his foot, or the glove his hand, than the study fits his whole nature. We have a facetious friend. You pick off the corner of his writing table "Noctes Ambrosianæ" or the London "Punch." His chair is wide, so that he can easily roll off on the floor when he wants a good time at laughing. His inkstand is a monkey, with the variations.
The world is as obstinate as a million mules, and will not turn its head on one side or another for all the shouting of the critical population that ever was shouted. It is very possible that the world is a bad judge. Well, then appeal to posterity, and be hanged to you and posterity will affirm the judgment, with costs. Noctes Ambrosianae, Sept., 1825.
I wish to know how all my old companions and fellow-laborers do; if the club yet exists; if you, and Richardson, and Lord John, and Ellis, and Lawrence, and Fitzpatrick, &c., meet, and joke, and write, as of old. What is become of Becket's, and the supper-parties, the noctes coenaeque? Poor Burgoyne!
He was trained in philosophy under Favorinus, in rhetoric under Antonius Julianus and, perhaps, Fronto, but his style and taste are, on the whole, purer than those of his preceptors. The title Noctes Atticae was chosen, primarily, because the book was written at Athens and during the lucubrations of the night; but its modesty was also a recommendation in his eyes.
Or, as Roger Mifflin remarked during a passing enthusiasm for Ambrose Bierce, the true noctes ambrosianae are the noctes ambrose bierceianae. But Roger was prompt in closing Parnassus at ten o'clock. Then they would retire to the den, where Mrs. Mifflin was generally knitting or reading. She would brew a pot of cocoa and they would read or talk for half an hour or so before bed.
Aulus Gellius did not desire to live longer than he should be able to write, as he says himself in the prologue to the Noctes Atticae. The fervour of study which possessed Euclid the Socratic, Taurus the philosopher used to relate to incite young men to study, as Gellius tells in the book we have mentioned.
And again he says, speaking of God's care, "Quis enim potest quam existimet a deo se curari non et dies, et noctes divinum numen horrere?" "Who is there, when he thinks that a God is taking care of him, shall not live day and night in awe of his divine majesty?"
Pleased, therefore, with the thought of recovering others from that folly which has embittered my own days, I have presumed to address the ADVENTURER from the dreary mansions of wretchedness and despair, of which the gates are so wonderfully constructed, as to fly open for the reception of strangers, though they are impervious as a rock of adamant to such as are within them: Facilis descensus Averni: Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis.
Was there ever, Belford, a stranger amoris redintegratio than this must have been, when our Lydia heard the old love at the rarely shaken doors: Me tuo longas pereunte noctes, Lydia, dormis? Ah, how little hath Madam Sophia taken by despatching her lord to town, and all to break my head.
"What d'you mean, young man?" replied the powerful voice of Madame. "Where is my husband?" "Ma'am?" "Where, I say, is my husband?" "I couldn't say, I'm sure, ma'am. But Mrs. Merillia and Mr. Vivian are not at home." "Then all I can say is they ought to be in at this time of night. Permit me to pass. Are you aware that Mr. Vivian has invited me to spend the night here? Noctes ambrosianes."
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