# Mr. Bishopriggs — Man and Wife character guide

> Mr. Bishopriggs in Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bishopriggs, Sawmuel Bishopriggs

**First appearance:** 0025-x-mr-bishopriggs

## Snapshot

A canny Scottish innkeeper with a hoard of compromising letters, Bishopriggs plays both sides of every bargain while keeping one eye on his own skin.

## Who they are

Bishopriggs trades in information the way other men trade in drink, and he knows exactly what his correspondence is worth to the people who want it buried. When Geoffrey's fists make direct negotiation unwise, the innkeeper simply turns to the next interested party and lets the market decide. His sly, self-preserving scheming turns private scandal into a commodity, and his choices keep the plot's secrets circulating long after they should have died.

## Relationships

### [Anne Silvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/characters/anne_silvester)

_professional_

Mr. Bishopriggs is a hotel servant who assists Anne during her stay, though he is somewhat nosy.

### [Anne Silvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/characters/anne_silvester)

_professional_

Mr. Bishopriggs is a hotel servant who assists Anne during her stay, though he is somewhat nosy.

### [Anne Silvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/characters/anne_silvester)

_professional_

Mr. Bishopriggs is a hotel servant who assists Anne during her stay, though he is somewhat nosy.

## In the story

### [IX: Anne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/ix-anne)

The headwaiter at the inn, who assists Arnold and mistakes the situation for a newlywed couple's honeymoon.

### [X: Mr. Bishopriggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/x-mr-bishopriggs)

The waiter who intrudes with comic familiarity, delays the dinner, and delivers news of Sir Patrick's arrival.

### [XI: Sir Patrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xi-sir-patrick)

Shows Sir Patrick into the sitting room; is dismissed by Sir Patrick.

### [XII: Arnold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xii-arnold)

Steals Anne's letter to Blanche, endorses it with a dated statement, and locks it in his cashbox hoping for a reward.

### [Blanche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xiii-blanche)

Summoned by Anne to fetch Arnold; later receives a gratuity from Arnold.

### [Seeds of the Future (Second Sowing)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xxxii-seeds-of-the-future-second-sowing)

Serving as a waiter at Swanhaven; has Anne's letter in his pocket and is looking to profit from it; becomes guarded when Blanche mentions Sir Patrick.

### [Seeds of the Future (Third Sowing)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xxxiii-seeds-of-the-future-third-sowing)

Plots to sell the letters to Mrs. Glenarm after being scared off by Geoffrey.

### [XXXIX: Anne Wins a Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xxxix-anne-wins-a-victory)

The former headwaiter at Craig Fernie, now posing as a friend at the Harp of Scotland Inn; he is forced to return Anne's letter after being outmaneuvered.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/characters/mr_bishopriggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_wife_se/characters