The Old Workman It is seldom that we derive pleasure
from the perusal of a bill. I accordingly feel justified in quoting from a statement of his account submitted by a retired estate carpenter to a lady for whom he does occasional odd jobs. About half the items relate to the cost of materials, e.g.
" Miss Sarah's ' Boudoir ': Carved Secretaire.
1 small tin white undercoating paint ... 4/- 1 „ „ „ enamel „ ... 4/6." All those relating to services rendered read as follows : " Bathtoom cabinet renovation ... No expense. Repairs to stool (Queen Anne) ,.. No expense." The account, made out in a graceful copperplate hand, ends with the following postscript: " Please accept this, as a free will offering for the Numerous Valuable Privileges you have (in Nobility) rendered to Me and Mine. Yours are Incalculable. Mine, a Humble Tribute. A desire to be usefully Productive at Leisure, so that your Interests, and my Pleasure, may be the Result. In this Happy Spirit I hope to remain at your Service, very Sincerely, H. J. W." Although I suppose that he is technically a deviationist and a saboteur of working class interests, I suspect that the writer
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