The morning call., 1890-08-31

ried to its greatest degree of perfection dur
ing the fifteenth century; it only expired in
the age of Louis XIV. 1t often happened
that dwarf held the position. His deform-
ity gave the courtiers an occasion to taunt
him, and'this cruel ridicule often put a bit
ter edge on his own wit.
The POpes had their fools, and so for that
matter had tie ArchbishopS Of Canterbury
after the reformation.
There is story told of Cardinal Wolsey
that he was travelling one day with his fool,
Patch, at his side, when he was overtaken
by a messenger from the King. The Car
dinal was in disfavor, and the messenger
brought him with the letter ring as a
token of restoration to the royal grace.
Wolsey was OverJoyed, and wondered what
he could send to henry in return. His
eyes fell ON Patch, and he exclaimed:
why, this fool is worth $1,000; I'll send
him." Despite all poor Patch's expostula-
tiOns, for he was devotedly attached to
Nolsey-the master who could be "as sweet
as summer" to his dependents-he was
packed off with his sad heart to make the
King merry.
The portrait of Will Somers, another fool
belonging TO Henry VIII. still hangs at
Hampton Court.
PATHETIC INCIDENT
In English history is the fidelity of Hey
wood. Queen Mary's fool. who remained
with her through the dark hours preceding
Muckle John, fool to Charles l, was the
last court jester in England.
His predecessor, Archie Armstrong, in
1867 had been punished by "having his coat
pulled over his head Whatever that may
mean and had been dsmissed-all for max
ing q pun. There are some people who
Will think that he ought to have been be-
headed. At any rate it was held that he
insulted Archbishop Laud in offering this
toast, God for us all, and little Laud to
the devil"
In the time of Charles II, about 1910. fools
had become obsolete at court, 10 Judge by
the following epgram on Cibber. the actor,
who was roet laureate Of the day:
In merry old England it once was the rule
The King had his poet and also his fool
But we're SO frugal, I'd have you know 1t,
That Cfbber can serve both for fool and for poet
The mobiles must have kept up the practice
longer than the court as Dicky Pierce, the
Earl of Suffolk fool, died as late as 177S.
by writing his epit iph.
Jamie freeman, the laird OF Udny's fool,
is still spoken OF in Scotland, and Scotch
as he was he originated jokes that are still
retailed. Many have heard this one with
out knowing its source: Jamies master
to a gentleman in the neighborhood, who.
however, never thought of tipping" the
messenger. SO one day Jamie rudely en-
tered the gentleman's home. threw down
The game t and g5ufiy saying th "Hares from
called him back and pompously showed
him the proper way of delivering the mes
sage, Jamie meanwhile personating the
gentleman. The game delivered, Jamie, in
the character OF host, said a few gracious
good man, here's something for your trouble
in coming so far"
1t is to be hoped that neither of the wor-
thy lessons was lost.
Those who hear the opera of "Rigoetto'
or see Mr.. Booth in "rhe Fools Revenge"
nal Of the hero was Triboulet, fool to
Francis ]. What foundation Triboulet's
life afforded to the romance OF Victor Hugo,
lie Roi s'Amuse," which was the original
of the play and the opera. the present writer
knows not
1t is related of this Triboulet that when
rich noble threatened to have him whipped
be complained to the King. IF he Furnishes
you," said Francis, ''Pll have him hanged a
quarter of an hour afterward"
80 II it please your Majesty replied Tri-
boulet. :" / wish you would do it quarter
OF an hour before"
CHARLES THE SIMPLE OF FRANCE
Had fool named Jean, in whom he placed
much confidence. "Iwish we could change
places" lie said one day; "tha. you could
be king and | be fool"
Jean looked disguised.
WHAT! exclaimedth the King, would you
be ashamed to be King of France?''
No. was the reply; but l would be
ashamed to have such fool"
A similar anecdote is related of King Al
fonso of Naples. He sent Moor TO Bar
barry with 1000 ducats to buy horses, upon
which the court fool promptly "put him on
the list" of fools. Upon being asked the
reason the fool said that the Moor would
never return,
g Eut,"' urged the King. Suppose he does
return?"
Then" was the reply. "Pll rub out
your name and ut down his"
Shakespeare, like Charles Lamb, loved
"a touch OF the motley" and used it freely
in many a scene joyous or sad, Of medieval