" The gentlemen collected on the platform looked
at each other and smiled, perhaps failing to catch the exact
meaning of the Senator's words. "A lord here has a power, as a
lord, which he cannot himself fathom and of which he daily makes an
unconscious but most deleterious use. He is brought up to think it
natural that he should be a tyrant. The proclivities of his order
are generous, and as a rule he gives more than he takes. But he is
as injurious in the one process as in the other. Your ordinary
Briton in his dealing with a lord expects payment in some shape for
every repetition of the absurd title;--and payment is made. The
titled aristocrat pays dearer for his horse, dearer for his coat,
dearer for his servant than other people. But in return he exacts
much which no other person can get. Knowing his own magnanimity he
expects that his word shall not be questioned. If I may be allowed
I will tell a little story as to one of the most generous men I
have had the happiness of meeting in this country, which will
explain my meaning."
Then, without mentioning names he told the story of Lord Rufford,
Goarly, and Scrobby, in such a way as partly to redeem himself with
his audience. He acknowledged how absolutely he had been himself
befooled, and how he had been done out of his money by misplaced
sympathy.
Pages:
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796