"TO HIM THAT HATH ..."
It was Butterington who first put me up to the idea. I asked him a simple question about the habits of the Sigalion Boa, a certain worm in whose ways I was taking an interest at the time, and he at once replied that he himself was not in the fur line.
"Whenever," he went on, "I require information on any subject I apply to my bank. Why don't you do the same?"
This opened up an entirely new prospect. To me my bank was an institution which kept my accounts, issued money and, on occasion, lent it. It never entered my head that it was also ready to perform the functions of an inquiry office and information bureau.
Previous communications from me had always begun, "Sir, with reference to my overdraft"—you know the sort of thing one generally writes to banks; expostulating, tactful, temporising letters.
This time however I addressed them in different vein. Rejecting all mention of overdrafts as being in doubtful taste, I wrote:—
Sir,—I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly inform me, at your early convenience:
(1) Whether it is a fact that the African rhinoceros has no hair on the hind legs?