RANK IN ENGLAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 3458, 3 March 1886, Page 3

RANK IN ENGLAND.

To illustrate the distinctions of rank so closely observed among servants in aristocratic families, Adam Bader.u writes as follows in the New York Sun :

I wa3 staying once at a house where there had been a grand quarrel between the maids of Lidy Torrington and Lady Molcsworfch. Lnrd Torrington was a viscount and Lady Molesworth only the widow <.f a baronet. But the Torringtons were poor, and Lady Molesworth svas very rich ; it was said Lord Torrington managed her estates for her. Upon this her Abigail presumed, vainly supposing with the pride of wealth that her mistress was superior in consequence to :hose who belonged to the peerage. She was absolutely about to take precedence as they went to dinner. But Lidy Torrington's maid haughtily thrust her back and exclaimed : " You are only the servant of a baronet's widow, and my mistress is the wife of the Eight Honorable Viscount Torrington, lord-in-waiting to Her Majesty." Of course the superior claim was allowed, and Lady Molesworth's maid remained behind in merited confusion. The story reached the upper regions, where it created a di-al of laughter, but no one seemed to suppose it reflected any ridicule on real rank. The distinctions in the drawing-room are important; only those in the servants' hall are trivial.