Rank in England.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1886, Page 5

Rank in England.

To illustrato the distinctions of rank so closely observed among servants in aristaoratic families, Adam Badeau writes as follows in the New York " Sun":— ■

I was staying once at a house where thore had been a grand quarrel between the maids of Lady Torrington and Lady Molesworth. Lord Torrington was a vißcount nnd Lady Molosworth only the widow of a baronot. But the Torribgtona were poor, and Lady Molesworth was very rich; it was said Lord Torrington, managed her estate's for her. Upon this hor Abigail presumed, vainly supposing with the pride of wealththat her mistress was superior in consequence to those who belonged to tbo peerage. Sho .was absolutely about to take precedence as they went in to dinner. But Lady Torrington's maid haughtily thrust her back and oxclaimed : " You are only the servant of a baronet's widow, and my^mistross is the wife of the Bight Honorable ViscountTorrington, lord-in-waiting to Her Majesty." Of course the superior claim waa allowed, and Lady Molesworth's maid remained behind in merited confusion. Tho story.reached the upper regions, where it created a deal of laughter, but no one seemed to supposo it reflected any .ridicule on real rank. The distinctions in the drawing-room are important ; only those in the servants' hall .are trivial. . i < '■'. - * •,. .