“I followed the business of a tailor for many years,” rejoined his guest.  “Look at my hands!  Dost thou not see marks of the shears?  Some of the mayors of Philadelphia have been tailors.  When I lived there, I often walked the streets with the Chief Justice.  It never occurred to me that it was any honor, and I don’t think it did to him.”

Upon one occasion, Friend Hopper went into the Court of Chancery in Dublin, and kept his hat on, according to Quaker custom.  While he was listening to the pleading, he noticed that a person who sat near the Chancellor fixed his eyes upon him with a very stern expression.  This attracted the attention of lawyers and spectators, who also began to look at him, Presently an officer tapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Your hat, sir!”

“What’s the matter with my hat?” he inquired.

“Take it off?” rejoined the officer.  “You are in his Majesty Court of Chancery.”

“That is an honor I reserve for his Majesty’s Master,” he replied.  “Perhaps it is my shoes thou meanest?”

The officer seemed embarrassed, but said no more; and when the Friend had stayed as long as he felt inclined, he quietly withdrew.

One day, when he was walking with a lawyer in Dublin, they passed the Lord Lieutenant’s castle.  He expressed a wish to see the Council Chamber, but was informed that it was not open to strangers.  “I have a mind to go and try,” said he to his companion.  “Wilt thou go with me?”

“No indeed,” he replied; “and I would advise you not to go.”

He marched in, however, with his broad beaver on, and found the Lord Lieutenant surrounded by a number of gentleman.  “I am an American,” said he.  “I have heard a great deal about the Lord Lieutenant’s castle, and if it will give no offence, I should like very much to see it.”

His lordship seemed surprised by this unceremonious introduction, but he smiled, and said to a servant, “Show this American whatever he wishes to see.”

He was conducted into various apartments, where he saw pictures, statues, ancient armor, antique coins, and many other curious articles.  At parting, the master of the mansion was extremely polite, and gave him much interesting information on a variety of topics.  When he rejoined his companion, who had agreed to wait for him at some appointed place, he was met with the inquiry, “Well, what luck?”

“O, the best luck in the world,” he replied, “I was treated with great politeness.”

“Well certainly, Mr. Hopper, you are an extraordinary man,” responded the lawyer.  “I wouldn’t have ventured to try such an experiment.”

At the expiration of four months, having completed the business which rendered his presence in Ireland necessary, he made a short visit to England, on his way home.  There also his hat was objected to on several occasions.  While in Bristol, he asked permission to look at the interior of the Cathedral.  He had been walking about some little time, when a rough-looking man said to him, in a very surly tone, “Take off your hat, sir!”