“There’s double beauty whenever a Swan Swims on a Lake, with her double thereon; And ask the gardener, Luke or John, Of the beauty of double-blowing-- A double dahlia delights the eye; And it’s far the loveliest sight in the sky When a double rainbow is glowing! “There’s warmth in a pair of double soles; As well as a double allowance of coals-- In a coat that is double-breasted-- In double windows and double doors; And a double U wind is blest by scores For its warmth to the tender-chested. “There’s a twofold sweetness in double pipes; And a double barrel and double snipes Give the sportsman a duplicate pleasure; There’s double safety in double locks; And double letters bring cash for the box; And all the world knows that double knocks Are gentility’s double measure. “There’s double sweetness in double rhymes, And a double at Whist and a double Times In profit are certainly double-- By doubling, the hare contrives to escape; And all seamen delight in a doubled Cape, And a double-reef’d topsail in trouble. “There’s a double chuck at a double chin, And of course there’s a double pleasure therein, If the parties were brought to telling: And however our Denises take offence, _A double meaning shows double sense_; And if proverbs tell truth, A double tooth Is Wisdom’s adopted dwelling!” The reputation of THOMAS HOOD as a wit and humourist rests on his writings chiefly. His recorded sayings are few, for in general society he was shy and reserved, seldom making a joke, or doing it with so grave a face that the witticism seemed an accident, and was in many cases possibly allowed to pass unnoticed, for a great number of people do not recognise a joke that is not prefaced by a jingle of the cap and bells. When in the company of a few intimate friends, however, he was full of fun and good spirits. Unfortunately, on such occasions the good things were not “set in a note-book,” and so were for the most part lost; though at times an anecdote, well-authenticated, turns up to make us regret that more have not been preserved. One such anecdote, which has not hitherto appeared in print, may not be out of place here. HOOD and “PETER PRIGGINS”--the Rev. Mr. HEWLETT--went on a visit to a friend of the latter’s, residing near Ramsgate. As they drove out of the town they passed a board on which was printed in large letters BEWARE THE DOG. A glance at the premises which the announcement was intended to guard showed that the quadruped was not forthcoming, whereupon HOOD jumped out of the gig, and, picking up a bit of chalk (plentiful enough in the neighbourhood), wrote under the warning-- WARE BE THE DOG?