TO
M. ARETZ, TAILOR, ETC.
27, RUE RICHELIEU, PARIS.
SIR,—It becomes every man in his station to acknowledge and praise
virtue wheresoever he may find it, and to point it out for the
admiration and example of his fellow-men.
Some months since, when you presented to the writer of these pages a
small account for coats and pantaloons manufactured by you, and when
you were met by a statement from your creditor, that an immediate
settlement of your bill would be extremely inconvenient to him; your
reply was, “Mon Dieu, Sir, let not that annoy you; if you want money,
as a gentleman often does in a strange country, I have a thousand-franc
note at my house which is quite at your service.”
History or experience, Sir, makes us acquainted with so few actions
that can be compared to yours,—an offer like this from a stranger and a
tailor seems to me so astonishing,—that you must pardon me for thus
making your virtue public, and acquainting the English nation with your
merit and your name. Let me add, Sir, that you live on the first floor;
that your clothes and fit are excellent, and your charges moderate and
just; and, as a humble tribute of my admiration, permit me to lay these
volumes at your feet.
Your obliged, faithful servant,
M. A. TITMARSH.