"BUTTONS" AND THE PRINCE.
The following is an absolutely true story of the late Prince Consort and the Provost of Eton. Prince Albert—as he then was—was fond of reading the classics with the Provost, and used to drop clown to Eton " promiscuous like as any other gentleman might." The Provost had changed his page, and the new boy in buttons was not accustomed to Royalty, in connection with which he had formed exalted notions of personages in crowns and ermine robes. H.R.H. one day paid one of his customary visits to the Provost. His knock at the modest black door was answered by the new "buttons," who, in answer to H.R.H.'s question, briskly replied, " No, sir, the Provost ain't at- home, sir,—what name, sir?" To which H.R.H. replied—"Oh, say Prince Albert called." This was too much for " buttons," who, retreating well within the hall, extending his live digits from his putty nose, and dancing a modified war dance, sarcastically remarked, "Wo may be young, and we may be green, but we're not quite so green as that comes to," and slammed the door in the illustrious caller's face. The beauty of this story is that it is absolutely true.
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Bibliographic details
Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3030, 12 March 1881, Page 4
Word Count
199"BUTTONS" AND THE PRINCE. Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3030, 12 March 1881, Page 4
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