A Spartan Bishop.

Manawatu Herald, 19 March 1904, Page 3

A Spartan Bishop.

A charming story is told about a popular bishop. Visiting a country house recently, the hostess, anxious to do him honour, adorned the table in his dressing-room with a costly collection of silver-backed toilet brushes. When the bishop had packed up his bags and departed, the chambermaid, arriving to put the room straight, found that the toilet appurtenances had also disappeared. The conclusion was obvious. The right reverend guest, who it was remembered had sharply declined the service# of a valet in packing up, had inadvertently gone off with the treasure trove. How to approach him on so delicate a subject ? The natural impulse was to wait till he had an opportunity of discovering his mistake, when he would, of course, send back the things. A fortnight passed, and the bishop made no sign. Then the hostess sat down and wrote a letter that was a masterpiece of delicate diplomacy. Having discussed various topics of the hour, and warmly expressed the pleasure her husband, her family, and herself had derived from his visit, she quite casually mentioned the silver-backed brushes, and lamented the stupidity of the chambermaid, who could not find then. Back came a prompt telegram from his lordship. “Poor, but honest," it ran; “ look in the the cupboard." On a disused cupboard near the fireplace being opened there were fpund the lost treasures. What had that the bishop, preferring the Spartan simplicity of the accessories of his own dressing bag, had put away the silver-mounted things, using his own brushes.