CAPTAIN SHABBYHOUNDE 279 



a newly caught helper. This is a proceeding, by the 

 way, we never could understand. We have always 

 imagined that the use of straps was to keep the 

 trowsers down in riding, but we see certain of the XX 

 knowing ones always take theirs off before mounting. 

 The obedient helper quickly had Strutt divested of 

 his. 



"Bring me the honourable's riding whip," 

 continued he, "you'll find it on my dressing-table, 

 and put them 'ere straps there." 



Here let us pause for a moment to observe on one 

 of the absurdities of the day. We keep a barometer 

 of impudence, and we find that when servants begin 

 to call their masters and mistresses by their names, as 

 Mr. Brown, or Mrs. Green, instead of " my master " 

 or "my mistress," they are generally getting above 

 themselves, and want taken down a peg or two. 

 Time was when such phraseology was unknown ; but 

 that was before grooms drank champagne, or 

 housemaids wore artificial flowers and veils. The 

 fact is, however, the whole system of servitude is 

 gone wrong ; but servants are not the only parties to 

 blame for that misfortune. Simon Strutt called his 

 master " the honourable," because being the servant 

 of a lord's son reflected honour on himself. Had he 

 been plain " mister " he would have called him " my 

 boy," or " Milksop," or any other term of familiarity. 

 " Mr. Brown," or " Mrs. Green," we mean to observe, 

 is a before-your-face style of expression, instead of the 

 old one of " master " or " mistress." 



Now for the last shade of all that ends this strange 

 eventful story. 



Lambkin quickly made' his appearance, looking all 

 the better for his feed of corn and entry into the 

 stable. Even Strutt, prejudiced as he was, could not 

 but feel that he was a nice looking horse. 



Tom, the helper, sidled him up to where Mr. 

 Strutt stood, and with one hand at the bits, the other 



