However, your authority
is of great weight as to the usages of the court of France: and
doubtless the Prince, as ALTER EGO, may have a right to claim the
HOMAGIUM of the great tenants of the crown, since all faithful subjects
are commanded, in the commission of regency, to respect him as the
king's own person. Far, therefore, be it from me to diminish the lustre
of his authority, by withholding this act of homage, so peculiarly
calculated to give it splendour; for I question if the Emperor of
Germany hath his boots taken off by a free baron of the empire. But
here lieth the second difficulty--The Prince wears no boots, but simply
brogues and trews.'
This last dilemma had almost disturbed Fergus's gravity.
'Why,' said he, 'you know, Baron, the proverb tells us, "It's ill taking
the breeks off a Highlandman,"--and the boots are here in the same
predicament.'
'The word CALIGAE, however,' continued the Baron, 'though I admit, that,
by family tradition, and even in our ancient evidents, it is explained
LIE BOOTS, means, in its primitive sense, rather sandals; and Caius
Caesar, the nephew and successor of Caius Tiberius, received the agnomen
of Caigula, A CALIGULIS, SIVE CALIGIS LEVIORIBUS, QUIBUS ADOLESCENTIOR
USUS FUERAT IN EXERCITU GERMANICI PATRIS SUI.
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