I daresay many will think the cordiality extended towards me by Mr. A---- was ostentatious, if not absolutely vulgar. All I can say is, it was infinitely to be preferred to the reception I once received from a lady of title who invited me to her party, who had not engaged me professionally, but who welcomed me at the top of her staircase with a vacant look and the following observation in her most aristocratic tone: "How late you are! Will you sing now?" I need scarcely say there was no song; but there was a supper, of which I took full advantage. Yet another incident, which occurred in my dressing-room at the Opera Comique, and which is indelible on my memory: A laird sent his Scotch butler to me one evening to make inquiries respecting my entertainment. The butler, an elderly, pompous, and exceedingly stupid man, produced a piece of note-paper containing a string of questions which he was instructed to ask me. The first question was: "Can Mr. Grossmith give an entertainment at Aberdeen on Jan.----?" I replied that my nightly engagement at the theatre would totally prevent my accepting an engagement at Aberdeen. I could only sing at afternoon parties in town, or a short distance from it. The butler, with a broad Scotch accent, which I need not imitate here, said: "Ye'll have the goodness to answer this question, please. 'Can Mr. Grossmith give an entertainment at Aberdeen on Jan.----?'" "No; I cannot," I replied. The butler continued reading: "'What will be his terms?'" "But I cannot go," I argued. "Ye'll save a deal o' time if ye'll answer the questions, please. What'll be the terms?" "Well, we will say a hundred guineas, as I can't go," I answered, endeavouring to restrain myself from bursting out laughing in his face. The butler made a note of the terms, and continued: "'Will the entertainment be consistent?'" "What?" I ejaculated. "'Will the entertainment be consistent?'" "Consistent?" For the life of me, I could not see what he meant. "Yes--consistent." I thought a little, and then said: "Would you kindly explain the question? I do not understand it in the least." The butler said: "Well, you must know, the laird is a strict Presbyterian, and all the guests will be strict Presbyterians, and he wants to know if your entertainment will be consistent." "Now I understand you," I replied. "Certainly, my entertainment will be quite consistent. I am always very careful, and shall only sing _Presbyterian comic songs_." He made a note of my remark in the most serious way, and left, saying: "The laird himself will write to say if he can accept the terms." That occurred nearly ten years ago, and the laird has not written yet.