Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents, and Strange EventsBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
History
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents, and Strange Events
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Legends -- England -- Yorkshire; Yorkshire (England) -- Miscellanea
At that moment a messenger came to announce that his Majesty wished to
see Lord Beaumont and Mr. Hirst; so Jemmy was ushered into the royal
presence. But instead of kneeling and kissing the hand that was extended
to him in silence, he caught it and gave it a hearty shake, saying,
"Eh! I'm glad to see thee such a plain owd chap. If thou ever comes to
Rawcliffe, step in and give me a visit. I can give thee some rare good
wine, or a sup of brandy and water at ony time."
The court was convulsed with laughter, and King George III. could hardly
contain himself. However, he did not laugh out openly, but with courtesy
maintained his gravity, and asked Jemmy how he liked London. "I like it
weel enow," answered the oddity; "but I hadn't ony idea afore yesterday
and to-day there were sae mony fools in it."
"Indeed!" said the King; "you pay us a very poor compliment, Mr. Hirst.
I did not know that we were so badly off for wisdom in London. Perhaps
that is an article in such demand in Yorkshire that there is none to
spare for cockneys."
"Why, I'll thee how it were," said Jemmy. "When I come into t' town
yesterday, and to thy house to-day, the streets were full o' crowds of
folks gathered as thick as owt to see me, just a cause I happ'd to be
dressed different frae other folk; and as I were waiting out yonder i'
t' fore-chamber, there were one o' thy sarvants burst out laughing at
me; but I reckon I spoiled his ruffled shirt for him and punished his
impertinence."
The King asked an explanation of Lord Beaumont, and when he had heard
what Jemmy had done to the Duke of Devonshire, the King laughed
heartily.
"Did you think to find London streets paved with gold?" asked the King.
"Mebbe I did," answered Jemmy; "but I've found out I was mista'en. It's
nowt but a mucky place, after all."
"A Yorkshire bite," said his Majesty.
"Aye," answered Jemmy, "but I'm no a bite for thee."
After some further conversation the King and his attendants descended
to look at Jemmy's carriage, and he showed the clock for marking the
distance he travelled; the King was interested with this, and praised it
as an ingenious contrivance. Jemmy then showed him the place he had made
for the reception of his wine when he travelled, but which was then
empty. His Majesty immediately ordered it to be filled with bottles from
the royal cellar.
As Jemmy was taking leave of the King he heard a young nobleman say to
another, "What an old fool that is to wear such a hat; it is three times
as large as is necessary."
Jemmy turned sharply upon him and said: "I'll tell thee what, young
chap, folks don't always have things aboot 'em that's necessary, or his
Majesty could dispense varry weel wi' thee."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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