MRS. PARTINGTON'S MOP.

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 124, 21 November 1925, Page 17

MRS. PARTINGTON'S MOP.

Everybody has heard of Mrs. Partington and her mop, but not everybody knows the occasion of that admirable lady's industry. The first person to allude to it publicly was Sydney Smith, in a speech delivered at Taunton, ou the Lords' rejection of the Reform Bill, in October, 1831. The passage runs as follows: "The attempt of the Lords to stop the progress of reform reminds me very forcibly of the great storm off-Sid-mouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs. Parting-ton on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, 'there set in a great flood upon that town; the tide rose to en incredible height, tho waves rushed in upon the houses, und everything was-threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon tho beach, was seen at the door of her house, with mop and pattens, trundling her mop, squeezing out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused: Mrs. Partington's spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was unequal. The Atlantic beat Mrs. Partington.. She was excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled with a tempest."