GENERAL GROSVENOR. 63 



seldom without a houseful during the hunting season, 

 for he was most hospitable, and, having a large heart, 

 which was, perhaps, larger than his purse, he was 

 never without, what is called, company. This at 

 times used to interfere, at least so report used to say, 

 with his butcher's and other tradesmen's bills at 

 Christmas ; but they all knew that the General would 

 pay, and so they never ran him very hard. 



There was, however, a certain tailor who, though 

 only a country tailor, was considerably patronised by 

 the General, and, instead of thinking his patronage 

 sufficient for his own maintenance and that of his 

 family, he, having more than once sent him in his 

 little bill, had the audacity at last to put in an appear- 

 ance himself. The General, finding no way of 

 escape from this interview, though he smelt a rat, re- 

 ceived him most courteously ; and, after a good deal 

 of talk about various matters, the tailor, not to be 

 shaken off with any small talk, drew from his pocket 

 the document, and presented it with, " If you please, 

 General, I have brought you my small account ; it 

 has been standing for some time, General, would you 

 be so good as to settle it ? " The General, finding 

 that snip was inexorable, paid the bill ; he, however, 

 was not altogether, what is called, highly delighted, 



