Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, CompleteVarious
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, Complete
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
Notice of a meet having been despatched to all the members of the
Knocker Hunt, a splendid fieldno streetmet at the Cavendishthe
hotel of the hospitable Marquess. The white damask which covered the
mahogany was dotted here and there with rich and invigorating viands;
whilst decanters of port and sherryjugs of Chateau Margauxbottles of
exhilarating spirits, and boxes of cigars, agreeably diversified the
scene. After a plentiful but orderly discussion of the creature
comforts, (for all ebullitions at home are strictly prohibited by the
Marquess) it was proposed to draw St. Jamess Square. This suggestion
was, however, abandoned, as it was reported by Captain Pepperwell, that
a party of snobs had been hunting bell-handles in the same locality, on
the preceding night. Clarges Street was then named; and off we started
in that direction, trying the west end of Jermyn Street and Piccadilly
in our way; but, as was expected, both coverts proved blank. We were
almost afraid of the same result in the Clarges Street gorse; for it was
not until we arrived at No. 33, that any one gave tongue. Young Dashover
was the first, and clearly and beautifully came his shrill tone upon the
ear, as he exclaimed Hereth a knockerthuch a one, too! The rush was
instantaneous; and in the space of a moment one feeling seemed to have
taken possession of the whole pack. A more splendid struggle was never
witnessed by the oldest knocker-hunter! A more pertinacious piece of
cast-iron never contended against the prowess of the Corinthian! After a
gallant pull of an hour and a half, the affair came off, and now
graces the club-room of the Knocker Hunt.
The pack having been called off, were taken to the kennel in the
Haymarket, when one young dog, who had run counter at a bell-handle, was
found to be missing; but the gratifying intelligence was soon brought,
that he was safe in the Vine-street station-house.
The various compounds known as champagne, port, sherry, brandy, &c.,
having been very freely distributed, Captain Pepperwell made a
proposition that will so intimately connect his name with that of the
immortal Marquess, that, like the twin-born of Jupiter and Leda, to
mention one will be to imply the other.
Having obtained silence by throwing a quart measure at the waiter, he
wriggled himself into an upright position, and in a voice tremulous from
emotionperhaps brandy, said
Gentlemen ofthe Knocker Huntthere are times when a man cant makea
speech without con-considerable inconvenience to himselfthats my case
at the present momentbut my admiration for the distinguished founder
of the Knocker Huntcompels meto stand as well as I canand propose,
that as soon as we have knockers enoughthey be melted downby some
other respectable founder, and cast into a statue ofthe Marquess of
Waterford!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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