be
understood as casting a sneer at the diplomatic body in general, but
when modern instances prove notorious facts, how can I turn a deaf ear
to the belief that our diplomacy has embodied another function?--that
of practising the most fashionable way of paying the most fashionable
debts. Pardon this little digression. There was a never ending demand
for Bolt's custom. Mr. Peppers, the distinguished jeweller of Regent
street, would fill his order to any amount; Broadwood & Willow,
tailors in ordinary to Her Majesty, always had a newly arrived
fashion, the senior partner knew his honor would be pleased with;
Dole, the wine merchant, who counted his customers among the first
nobility of the land, sent a list of his very best importation, humbly
soliciting an order. And as Mr. Secretary Bolt had not the least
objection to being driven into dignity, he would order all sorts of
things, from a diamond bracelet down to a tin tea-pot for Mrs.
Loveleather the laundress. It was wonderful to see how credulous these
tradesmen gentry were, and how they would chuckle over an order from
one of the legation. But I must here say that Bolt found a clever
diplomatist in Thomas, who was one of the best brought up servants in
Picadilly. Thomas had no end of accomplishments, and as a certain vice
in a servant is necessary to certain poor aristocracy and deeply
involved diplomatists, so also could he lie with a facility truly
incredible. If the history of Bolt's wealth, as related to certain
tradesmen by Thomas, could be handed down to posterity, I fear my
friend Cresus would find himself eclipsed. This it must be borne in
mind was before Thomas found himself dismissed for purloining the
family arms of the Countess Hopenpop. And while on the subject of
purloining propensities let me here say that I fear the vice of
stealing family arms did not end with Thomas, but was transmitted by
some of his more fortunate brethren up stairs to certain diplomatic
gentry of Mr. Pierce's choice, else how comes it that they,
notoriously plebian, made cockades and carriage doors bear strange
devices.'

"My uncle continued: 'While as many as fifty good gossipers predicted
daily the marriage of Bolt to some aristocratic belle, there came
along a lady of the name of Mrs. Bolt. This person, whose name
Mr. Bolt had been extremely careful not to lisp, caused a desperate
sensation among his admirers. My Lady Longblower was seen to cool away
like liquid tallow, whi