The Choice Humorous Works, Ludicrous Adventures, Bons Mots, Puns, and Hoaxes of Theodore HookHook, Theodore Edward
General
The Choice Humorous Works, Ludicrous Adventures, Bons Mots, Puns, and Hoaxes of Theodore Hook
Hook, Theodore Edward
English wit and humor
It is needless to tell you, that the branch of my family which has
settled itself in Norfolk is in the most flourishing state, and
that at Holkham, at this present moment, there is an old Goose held
in high estimation amongst the Whigs. At Woburn Abbey, another set
of my connexions are in high force, and admirably calculated for
cutting up and roasting; while in the North, the Grey Geese are
reckoned invaluable as a cross breed, the head of that coop being the
identical bird celebrated in the Fable of the Fox and Goose, to which
the Tories have subjoined a very salutary if not pleasant moral.
To the notice of these most honourable birds I may add one of the
younger scions of our stock, the Goslings--who, as everybody knows,
are a most excellent and respectable firm in the City of London.
These things disturb me. I have contributed to the funds of my
Master, I am about to lay down my life for his advantage, and, I
repeat, he has never seen me. There are thousands of geese, I am
ready to grant, labouring under the same disadvantage, and thousands
of human beings too, but to them the disappointment is not of the
same nature as to us: none but geese would contribute to support an
absentee as we do; and yet, supporting him, none but a goose would
care about ever seeing him again.
I must cease--the poulterer's cart and my end approach. I have
heard that the only modification of my sentence which I ventured
to request--the change of strangling into decapitation--is refused
me; His Royal Highness's ministers here declaring that I cannot be
sent off the premises without a bill. It matters little, Mr. Bull,
but I must say, it is not what I expected. Publish my letter, that
my Prince may see how he is beloved and respected, and by whom;--he
has been at Rome, but never thought of me or mine; perhaps he never
heard of the story which connects us with that once mighty city.
Adieu!--One of my sisters has already suffered: would I were a swan,
I would sing my own elegy--they come nearer--they have seized my
pens--I can only give--what we occasionally have here--a great quack,
and subscribe myself,
Your affectionate Gander,
BILLY.
P.S.--No _anser_ will reach me; but in making any further inquiries
about me, be cautious, as there is a much greater Goose than myself
of my name, living at Bagshot, which, being in this neighbourhood,
might cause some confusion.
THE HUM-FUM GAMBOOGEE SOCIETY.[48]
The first general meeting of this excellent society took place
on Thursday, at the residence of one of its most powerful
supporters; and, considering the skeleton state of the metropolis,
was satisfactorily attended. We have received an account of the
proceedings, under a promise not to mention the names of the
committee; and the word "confidential" written diagonally in one
corner of our correspondent's letter, prevents our giving the report
as fully and satisfactorily as we could wish.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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