TIPS [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sur,—I . have only
recently acquired sufficient literary taste to become a reader of the Spectator, and was much interested in the article concerning "Tips." As a member of one of the callings referred to, I should, with your kind permission, like to say a word or two in reply. Your contributor makes a grievance of his own lack of backbone. If he, and the public generally, would resolutely set their faces against tipping, I think it would be found that in a short time the reproachful gaze would cease from troubling, and the itching palm would be at rest. We receivers of tips would then make a virtue of necessity and would display that dignity of character and disregard of filthy lucre which we are only prevented from acquiring by the weak-kneed generosity of our superiors.
Can "New Poor" and his aristocratic friends not realize how much better it would be to assist in the establishment of a spirit of sturdy independence among policemen, postmen and others of that ilk than to vitiate all their better instincts by the reckless distribution of tips ? Let your contributor say to himself when next tempted to part with a " tanner " : "I will give this fellow nothing, and thereby save his soul. Poor man, he cannot see the scars with which promiscuous tipping has marred his plebeian and otherwise honest features." And if he fears that his consideration for an inferior's moral welfare will not be appreciated, let him console himself with the reflection that in this world, where motives are always suspect, a good deed must often serve as its own reward.
The course which I advocate, however, is, I am aware, an extreme one, and one diffieult of attainment to a gentleman accustomed to having policemen and other canaille tip their hats and make use of that glorious word " sir " in his presence. And lest I should be suspected of posing as a sea-green incorruptible, let me hasten to add that I myself have often, when asked by one whose beautifully cut garments and kindly patronizing tone proclaimed his potentialities as a source of tips, to direct him the way, prepared to remove my hand from its supporting belt and discreetly extend it in his direction, at the same time bringing my tongue smartly into position for the utterance of that awe-inspiring monosyllable. But—and here is my grievance -never yet, although my service as a policeman has been long and varied, have I had to make such acknowledgment of my inferiority.
Perhaps "New Poor" will be good enough to forward rue a "bob." If so, I shall have the utmost pleasure in returning, through the Spectator, a postcard with the word " sir " thereon as many times as he requires. He will then have a standing testimony to the fact that the old social values retain their, pristine importance. If not, I shall conclude that he is actuated by a desire to assist in my moral "uplift."
In reply to the inquiry of Mr. H. Stuart Fish in your issue of March 27th, it is an appalling fact that a _policeman's wages are 70s. weekly. I understand that matters are even more deplorable in the Colonies, where the " Bobby " receives $30 per week. In conclusion, please accept my apologies for split infinitives and other lapses. My education, like my morals, is defective.
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