I found it as easy as possible to subdue the critical spirit, even in connection with things which I should never care to approve of.

I shook hands with Lord Mafferton without the slightest personal indignation with him for being a peer, and remember thinking that if he had been a duke I should have had just the same charity for him.

Indeed, I was sorry, and am still sorry, that during the four months I spent in England I didn't meet a single duke.

This is less surprising than it looks, as they are known to be very scarce, and at least a quarter of a million Americans visit Great Britain every year; but I should like to have known one or two.

As it was, four or five knights--knights are very thick--one baronet, Lord Mafferton, one marquis--but we had no conversation--one colonel of militia, one Lord Mayor, and a Horse Guard, rank unknown, comprise my acquaintance with the aristocracy.