15 JANUARY 1870, Page 15

GIBSON AND HIS. THREE PACKAGES.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—It is curious in the story you quote from the life of Gibson how the point has been missed.

I well remember hearing Miss 'learner tell it, and Gibson's answer when she asked why he carried the empty hat-box in company with his bag and portmanteau was, "Three was the perfect number of the Greeks—yes—I can remember three." It was a curious illustration of the way the matter-of-fact and the ideal went side by side in him. If he had had two or four pieces of luggage, he might have left one behind, but the " perfect number of the Greeks " he could not forget.—I am, Sir, &c., A CONSTANT READER.