’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.  Having considered the dilemma for a minute, he wheeled about, satisfied that he must give up his mission if he would not spoil the dinner party.  He started back in a great hurry, and at once the cry was raised, “Stop thief!  Stop thief!”

’It appeared that a policeman, full of suspicion, had been watching the not very fashionable bearer of the parcels.  When Sir John came to his sudden halt, this fellow reasoned, “Ah! he observes me; my suspicions are confirmed.”  There could be no manner of doubt, on Sir John setting to run in the opposite direction.  The policeman shouted, “Stop thief!” and rushed after the astronomer, a tail of curious people gathering from all sides.  Sir John jogged on, heedless of the noise, ignorant of its cause, until the policeman brought him up.  What was the matter?  The man of the law looked awful things, and kept a stern eye upon his prisoner, for that was now Sir John’s position.

’He explained that he was hurrying home for dinner, that his wife and friends would be waiting him, and that to be detained in such fashion was a trifle absurd, especially as he was Sir John Herschel.  “Sir John Herschel!” quoth the policeman; “that’s your game, is it?  No, no, my friend; you’ll have to come to the police-station with me.”  And away he marched the most eminent astronomer of many a year.

’At the station Sir John could only protest his identity anew, and that his account of the parcels was correct.  The officials, secure in their man, commended him on his report of himself, which, they joked, was capital.  Sir John Herschel!  A brilliant idea!  In the end Sir John had to send for friends who could vouch for him, and who were amazed at his plight.  With many expressions of regret for the blunder, the police then allowed him to depart.  He was late, to be sure, for dinner, but the worst of it was that he had no excuse to offer; at all events he had none which he cared, then and there, to communicate to his wife and guests.’

Nobody likes to be haled before the world at a disadvantage, as Sir John Herschel was in the above experience.  People, great and small, naturally wish to appear fairly in the sight of others.  Anything else, were to count out a human instinct which Sir George Grey utilised, when he visited the Kaffir chief Sandilli.  Sir George discovered the innocent ways, by which the kingdom of civilisation could be advanced, to be a surprising number.  Moreover, they were the most effective.