‘HEROIC COURTESY.'

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 25, 21 June 1890, Page 19

‘HEROIC COURTESY.'

A recent French writer on ‘ The Revolution, the Empire and the Restoration,’ cites an amusing instance of what he calls heroic courtesy. Percy, Lord Beverly, invited to dine withJiim a marquis, one of the most valiant soldiers of the army of Conde. Wishing to honour his guest and the cause which he served, that of the French King, the English peer ordered his butler to bring him a bottle of fine wine,—one hundred years old, — ‘ a ray of sun shut in crystal. ’ He opened it carefully, and offered a glass to the marquis, saying : ‘ If you deem it worthy the honour, will you drink in this wine the health of the king ?’ The marquis tasted the wine. ‘ How do you like it ?’ asked the host. ‘ Exquisite,’ replied the marquis. ‘ Then,' said Lord Beverly, ‘ finish the glass ; only in a full glass can one drink the health of so great and so unfortunate a king.’ The marquis did as he was bidden without hesitation ; only when the Englishman tasted the wine, did he learn that what he had forced on his guest was castor-oil : and thenceforth he held the politeness of the French toward the English in the highest esteem.