'But, pray excuse me, I do not think very highly of German poetry.

I have lately been reading Shakespeare; and, when I turn from him to the Germans--even the best of them--they appear mere pigmies.

You will pardon the liberty I perhaps take in saying so.' 'I like that every one should have an opinion of his own,' said the elderly individual; 'and, what is more, declare it.

Nothing displeases me more than to see people assenting to everything that they hear said; I at once come to the conclusion that they are either hypocrites, or there is nothing in them.

But, with respect to Shakespeare, whom I have not read for thirty years, is he not rather given to bombast, "crackling bombast," as I think I have said in one of my essays ?' 'I daresay he is,' said the youth; 'but I can't help thinking him the greatest of all poets, not even excepting Homer.