It was worse for the victim.
'Nevertheless,' said Sir George, 'his statement of it to me, was marked
by much humour and enjoyment. It was the third example of my great men
coming to grief through their tailor; anyhow, there lay a contributory
cause. One might have moralised to Herschel on the subject of genius and
clothes; I did better, I sympathised.
'Sir John, who was living near Windsor, had been up in London, and was to
return home for dinner. It occurred to him that he might call somewhere
in town, about certain magnetic instruments that were being made for him,
and still reach Windsor by the dinner hour. So he set off to the place,
carrying in his hand certain small parcels, the contents of which were
probably intended for the dinner. Remembering his quaint figure, I
confess I would have given something to see him scudding along the London
streets on that occasion.
'Well, when he had accomplished a good part of the journey he asked
himself, "Can I do it after all?" He took out his watch, in order to
ascertain what time was left him. He found that the way had occupied him
longer than he had calculated; in fact, it was clearly impossible that he
could go on to the instrument-maker, and also get home for dinner. He had
a small party of guests that evening, and thus his punctual arrival was
imperative.
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