Upstairs, Downstairs – Season 3, Episode 3, Aired Nov 10, 1973_A Change of Scene.
Another Example of the Fact
That All Roads Lead to Quixote…
The Wizard and Princess Pennie are currently watching Upstairs, Downstairs, a highly successful old British series from 40 years ago. On Tuesday night, Wizzo was struck by a statement made by Hudson, the butler at 165 Eaton Place, so he whistled for me and we went exploring. Here is what we found…
HUDSON: As far as my place is concerned, I think I should be content to quote the old Scottish saying and remark that ‘Where McGregor sits, is the head of the table’. No, no, Mrs Kenton, in my own house in Eaton Place I am, as it were, master below stairs.
This “old Scottish saying” is commonly attributed to Robert MacGregor of Campbell, ‘Rob Roy’, (1671-1734.) But in truth the saying dates to Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Part 2, Chapter 31, (1615.) “Sit thee down, chaff-threshing churl! for let me sit where I will, that is the upper end to thee.”
Rob Roy paraphrasing Don Quixote?
Wow. I sure didn’t see that coming, did you?
– Indiana Beagle