Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 159, 1920-07-28Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 159, 1920-07-28
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
The voice's glass having been replenished (which, I fancy, was its inner
purpose) we became serious again.
"As it is on the top of the hill," said the first lady, "there will
probably be a view. Why not call it, for example, 'Bellevue'? 'Bellevue' is
a charming word."
"A little French, isn't it?" someone inquired.
"Oh, yes, it's French," she admitted. "But it's all right, isn't it? It's
quite nice French."
We assured her that, for a French phrase, it was singularly free from
impropriety.
"But of course," she said, "there's an Italian equivalent, 'Bella Vista.'
'Bella Vista' is delightful."
"I passed a 'Bella Vista' in Surbiton yesterday," said the frivolous voice,
"and an errand-boy had done his worst with it with a very black lead
pencil."
"What could he do?" the gentle lady asked wonderingly, with big violet eyes
distended.
"It is not for me to explain," said the frivolous voice; "but the final
vowel of the first word dissatisfied him and he substituted another. The
capabilities of errand-boys with pencil or chalk should never be lost sight
of when one is choosing a name for a front gate."
"I am all at sea," said the lady plaintively. Then she brightened. "Is
there no prominent landmark visible from the new house?" she asked. "It is
so high there must be."
Our hostess said that by cutting down two trees it would be possible to see
Windsor Castle.
"Oh, then, do cut them down," said the lady, "and call it 'Castle View.'
That would be perfect."
During the panic that followed I made a suggestion. "The best name for it,"
I said, "is 'Buckler's.' That is what the country people will call it, and
so you may as well forestall them and be resigned to it. Besides, it's the
right kind of name. It's the way most of the farms all over England once
were named--after their owners, and where the owner was a man of character
and force the name persisted. Call it 'Buckler's' and you will help
everyone, from the postman to the strange guest who might otherwise tour
the neighbourhood for miles searching for you long after lunch was
finished."
"But isn't it too practical?" the first lady asked. "There's no poetry in
it."
"No," I said, "there isn't. The poetry is in its owner. Any man who can
stand in an open field under a July rainstorm and show another man where
his bedroom is to be in a year's time is poet enough."
E.V.L.
* * * * *
TO ISIS.
Isis, beside thine ambient rill
How oft I've snuffed the Berkshire breezes,
Or, prone on some adjoining hill,
Thrown off with my accustomed skill
The weekly fytte of polished wheezes;
How oft in summer's languorous days,
With some fair creature at the pole, I
Have thrid the Cherwell's murmurous ways
And dared with lobster mayonnaise
The onslaughts of Bacillus Coli?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account