The Rev. George Harvest, of Trinity College, Cambridge, having been
private tutor to the Duke of Richmond, was invited to dine with the
old duchess, and to accompany her party to the play. He used to travel
with a night-cap in his pocket, and having occasion for a handkerchief
at the theatre, made use of his cap for that purpose. In one of his
reveries, however, it fell from the side-box, where he was sitting,
into the pit, where a wag, who picked it up, hoisted it upon the end
of a stick, that it might be claimed by its rightful proprietor. Judge
of the consternation of a large party of ladies of rank and fashion,
when George Harvest rose in the midst of them, and claimed the
night-cap (which was somewhat greasy from use) by the initials G.H.,
which were legibly marked on it. The cap was restored to him amidst
shouts of laughter, that ran through the pit to the great discomfiture
of the duchess and the rest of the party.--Ibid.
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