THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SFECTATOR:]
Sin,—Perhaps the following illustration of the exaggerated importance attached by foreigners to the office and dignity of Lord Mayor of London may not be unacceptable at the present moment. Some time ago I was making for the Glue du Nord in Paris by omnibus, when I fell into conversation with a man of good address but seedy aspect, who a few minutes before had shown me some little attention at a ticket- office. He told me that he was an electrical engineer, who bad had large contracts in Paris which had turned out badly;
that he was in very low water in consequence, but that in hie own country he was entitled to wear a uniform and stand before his King. I said, " After the civility you have shown me, Monsieur, the least I can wish you is a return of good. fortune, so that you may exercise the privilege of presenting yourself to your Sovereign." With a wave of the arm he brushed aside, half-contemptuously, the suggestion that he coveted that honour, and exclaimed, with an emphasis designed to satisfy me beyond all doubt that be was a person of importance, " Sir, I have a friend who is a ve-ri-tah-ble friend of ze Lord Mayor of London ! "—I am, Sir, &c., J. C. L.
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