Rank in England

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 111, 27 February 1886, Page 4

Rank in England

To illustrate the distinctions of ranltsoclosely observed amony; , servants in , aristocratic families, Adam Bedeau writes '"** as follows in the New York 'S_un :-^-I was - staying onco at a house where there 'had' '•» been a grand quarrel between (he maids - of Lady Torringf on and Lndy Molesworth, ' Lord Torrington was a viscount and Lady Molesworth only the wido<v«f-a baronet. But' the Torringtou's were poor, and Lady ; Moleswerlh was very rich; it was said Lord Torrin»ton managed the estates for ' her. Upon this her Abigail presftmccT,' vainly supposing with the pr/dc of w'e'alththat her mistress was sup rior in .'con- - " sequence to those who belonged .to; < the I r-' peerage. She was absoluiely.,alio ) ut to- , ■ take precedence as they went into dinner,, ,_.- But Lndy Torrington 's maid' haughtily/;; thrust tlie servant of a barorieVs "widow, and exclaimed ;— " You are.o,nly mistress ' of the wife of the Bight Honorable Vis^- r " count Torrington, tord-in-waiting'to 'Her ".' r Majesty." Of course the superior* claim ■>> was allowed, and Lady Moles worth fs maidi.' - remained behindinmeritedcopfusior^ The *>.;, story reached the upi er regions., where,, ifc^ , created a deal of laughter, but < no,.oiie, ) , 1 seemed to .suppose it reflected any ,ri3i- )r * cule on real rank. The distinction in the drawing-room are impbrtiint ; 'only those ~ , in the sen ants hall are trivial. • ' :<