204 WHIP AND SPUR. 



neither the waiter nor the porter can give; the 

 "gentlemanly clerk" does not exist in England 

 (thank Heaven !) and you have not yet learned 

 what an invaluable mine of information "Boots" 

 is, — faithful, useful, helpful, and serviceable to 

 the last degree. I salute him with gratitude for 

 all he has done to make life in English hotels 

 almost easier and more homelike than in one's 

 own house. It is safe to advise all travellers to 

 make him an early ally, to depend on him, to 

 use him, almost to abuse him, and, finally, on 

 leaving, to "remember" him. Not yet having 

 come to know the Boots, I determined to throw 

 myself on the tender mercies of my stern, silent 

 companion, and I very simply stated my case. 

 My stern, silent companion was an exception to 

 the rule, and he told me all I wanted to know 

 (and more than I knew I needed to know) with 

 a cordiality and frankness not always to be found 

 among the genial smokers of our own hotels. His 

 voice was in favor of the Atherstone as being the 

 most acceptable thing for the next day. 



Ford, the veterinary surgeon of Leamington, 



