He knew the name and pedigree of everybody in the Peerage, and everybody's relations.

"My dear boy," he would say, with a mournful earnestness and veracity, "you cannot begin your genealogical studies too early; I wish to Heavens you would read in Debrett every day.

Not so much the historical part (for the pedigrees, between ourselves, are many of them very fabulous, and there are few families that can show such a clear descent as our own) as the account of family alliances, and who is related to whom.

I have known a man's career in life blasted by ignorance on this important, this all-important subject.
Why, only last month, at dinner at my Lord Hobanob's, a young man, who has lately been received among us, young Mr.Suckling (author of a work, I believe), began to speak lightly of Admiral Bowser's conduct for ratting to Ministers, in what I must own is the most audacious manner.
But who do you think sate next and opposite to this Mr.Suckling?
Why--why, next to him was Lady Grampound Bowser's daughter, and opposite to him was Lord Grampound Bowser's son-in-law.

The infatuated young man went on cutting his jokes at the Admiral's expense, fancying that all the world was laughing with him, and I leave you to imagine Lady Hobanob's feelings--Hobanob's!--those of every well-bred man, as the wretched intru was so exposing himself.