"Without an opera, without a court, almost without society!" "An opera would be desirable, I confess; of courts I know nothing, unmarried females being cyphers in Europe; and I hope better things than to think I shall be without society.

My lord, your safe and swift return to Rome Makes Cinna fortunate and well a-paid; Who, through the false suggestions of my foes, Was made a cypher of a consul here: Lo, where he sits commanding in his throne, That wronged Marius, me, and all these lords.

'My doctor and I took the liberty of confiscating the papers, and we set a very good man to work on the cypher at once.

He was apprenticed to a silversmith, and from cutting cyphers on silver spoons, he rose to be sergeant painter to the kingand from engraving arms and shop-bills, to painting kings and queensthe very top of the artist's ladder.

I assure you no one quarrels with the cyphers under such circumstances.