DEAR MR. PUNCH,--Having seen in the pages of one of your
contemporaries several deeply interesting letters telling of "the
Courtesy of the CAVENDISH," I think it will be pleasing to your
readers to learn that I have a fund of anecdote concerning the
politeness--the true politeness--of many other members of the Peerage.
Perhaps you will permit me to give you a few instances of what I may
call aristocratic amiability.
On one occasion the Duke of DITCHWATER and a Lady entered the same
omnibus simultaneously. There was but one seat, and noticing that
His Grace was standing, I called attention to the fact. "Certainly,"
replied His Grace, with a quiet smile, "but if I had sat down, the
Lady would not have enjoyed her present satisfactory position!" The
Lady herself had taken the until then vacant place!
Shortly afterwards I met Viscount VERMILION walking in an opposite
direction to the path I myself was pursuing. "My Lord," I murmured,
removing my hat, "I was quite prepared to step into the gutter." "It
was unnecessary," returned his Lordship, graciously, "for as the path
was wide, there was room enough for both of us to pass on the same
pavement!"
On a very wet evening I saw My Lord TOMNODDICOMB coming from a shop
in Piccadilly. Noticing that his Lordship had no defence against the
weather, I ventured to offer the Peer my _parapluie_.
[Illustration]
"Please let me get into my carriage," observed his Lordship. Then
discovering, from my bowing attitude, that I meant no insolence by my
suggestion, he added,--"And as for your umbrella--surely on this rainy
night you can make use of it yourself?"
Yet again. The Marchioness of LOAMSHIRE was on the point of crossing a
puddle.
Naturally I divested myself of my greatcoat, and threw it as a bridge
across her Ladyship's dirty walk.
The Marchioness smiled, but her Ladyship has never forgotten the
circumstance, and I have the coat still by me.
And yet some people declare that the wives of Members of the House of
Lords are wanting in consideration!
Believe me, dear _Mr. Punch_,
Yours enthusiastically, S. NOB.
_The Cringeries, Low Booington_.
* * * * *
NOTICE--No. XXV. of "Travelling Companions" next week.
* * * * *
[Illustration: FANCY PORTRAIT.