Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-25
A DvENTURE wirH THEODORE HOOK
AND STEPHEN PRICE.



iahuhe Jest Of nost eTeenea, fancy "-HaNLEr
The recurrence to my mind Of the tender musing
of the melancholy prince, followed by the NOR
solemn reflection that my three agreeable eompan
ions in the well remembered adventure | am abou
to relate are all now past that bourne which Ham
let spesSs o. Is almost sufficient to set me morali
ring at the very opening OF my story. That, how
ever, must not be; FOR gravity and dizziness woul'
convey but a poor tribute to the memory OF the 10
vial trio whose company enjoyed on the occasion
referred to.
As no cloud was on our spirits. no cloud wss
on the morning; il was n lovely one IN the Sprinl
of Is3-. We met, by appointment, TO proceed u
Epson for the week; tho remainder Of the I'VE
consisting OF poor Theodore Hook, the late Stepher
Price, and another choice spirit also departed -on
whose talents and kindness of heart evinced both il
public and private lite, entite him 10 more than Thu
bret, but honorins tribute, which must here con-
tent myself with paying to his character.
The worthy American, wrapped in huge fur
coat, was comfortably esconced in the corner OF q
small britschka, grumbling, however, not little al
the English climste.-"One day, Sly, hot enough tc
roast an OK; following morning at freezing point
SIR"
Come along" said the friend last alluded TO
"come along. King Stephen, or we shall I've late
be look the remaining place in the eI-manager's
briischka.
Hook and I, then, will go tosether,"l observed
as my buggy drove up to the door.
"Of course; Hook and eye always go together
was the response OF my companion, as he got into
the vehicle.
Thus commenced the sport; and off we went
To repeat all that was said d urlng our drive would
form large edition of facet the celebrated abtdg
ment Of the statutes, in fifty volumes folio. would b'
nothing TO ~; II wns resulao running hire. Pun
nnecoote, song, improviso tests, q century old, dis
inferred, as good as new venerable Joe Mlllers
revived and decked out IN modern fashionable at
tire; Jokes, manufactured on the spot, OF every con
ceivable variety and pattern, some bad enough Il
take rank with the very best. So far from recount
ing them, i despair of conveying an idea OF their
profuson. The plainest of pedestrians or the COM
monost name over shop door, was sufficient 10 start
HIM Off
"Ah," said my companion, "'Hawes, Surgeon;
that reminds me of two lines made n saw bone
oi that name during the severe winter of lSli:-
Perpetual recziugs and perpetual thaws,
Though bad enough for hips, are good for Hdires.'
As we reached Vanxhall bridge, 81 wonder il thi.
bridge pays1" remarked $50 over IL, and you'll
lie iolltd," replied the ever ready punster.
49," said he, addressing the gatekeeper. who
was hoarse, "Gou haven't recovered your voice
YETI" mo SIR" was the answer, "l've caught q
fresh cold" "But why did you catch fresh one2''
asked hook; "why didn't you have it eHred2"
On he went, from subject to subject, and pun 10
pun. To shew that the thanksgiving perpeirator oil
plensantries innumerablc never hnched or threw a
chauce away, the sign of the "Three Ravens" at
sutton, as we passed N, suggested the reUeCtlOn-
'''rhat fellow must be Karen mad!"
Immediately after, VIC discerned party OF labor.
ers employed in sinking a we'll "What are you
about" inquired Hook. Boring for water" re-
piled gaping clod. "Water's bore at any time "
rejoned Hook; "besiGes, you're quite wrong-re-
member the old proverb, Let ,oeR alone"
These must serve 10 convey passing notion o.
the spirit OF my companions commentary on every
object we encountered. and this spirit carried us
gay into the town OF Epson, which we found
crowded TO excess. Streams Of many-colored life
were everywhere mingng and separating. High
lile and low lie; the thoroughbred team, the ba-
rouche and four, the light dennet, the heavy bus,
the gaudy van, the hack cab and the tilted cart
But TO describe this scene would be to 20 over old
ground, as it has been pictured thousand times;
and the reader, perhaps, will prefer returning with
our party to the house we had engaged for the week.
On arriving at the gate, we found seated a
rustic bench q certain individual, having cigar in
his mouth, and by his side glass Of water, with
Cor this should not be altogether omitied) Just a
sufficient quantity Of Gleniivet in it TO destroy as
he SAID the anmalcul;c il might contain. His coun
tenanee frightened OF our approach.
"Ha! Deanl" said Theodore.
"Ha Hookems :" responded the other; "have
you brought the ginnums, and the mackereums ~
81 have, most reverend. But where were you
last Sunday! | missed you at your accustomed
haunt-launch after chapel"
Lame, lame-coud not get there"
=
Ensland7 Dye give it up 7-ehi-Because he
expects every man TO do his duty.n
Dinner was shortly after announced. The cloth
was removed, amidst a rapid shower Of smart, eau
ste, and witty sayings, droll sores Tetort and re-
partee; the wine circulated freely, the tide OF good
humor knew no retiring ebb" Plays and politics
wine and women, debts and dues, were discuss
ed with an absence Of all restraint; and then com
menced a call for a song. This was pretty soor
responded 10 by The accomplished Theodore, whose
81 =
though the world unfortunately possesses so little
evidence Of It beyond the assertions OF the for
tunate few who enjoyed his intimacy, and witness
ed the astonishing ease with which he composed
while he sung. In this instance he took for the
subject Of his song the worthy manager Of New
York and Drury Lsne celebrity; and after prepar-
lrg us 10y ringing the changes on his name, he
broke into measure, and gave us the following
winch, however, canno, pretend to say is strictly
verbatim 81 hieTG'im.-
THEODORE HOOKS SONG.
'Cone on your glass s up while sing song Of trices.
And shew mems marketvslue the daie Of last aiyces
For since Tie pretty clear you know, that every
lis we'll inquiries before the terms are rs Price
some shabby rOgues there are that knock down at
some bockheads superauve they can't be sold at no
some, free ofsou YOUTH sell In middle life at price.
Aud some 20 when they're od-why the devil don't YOU
inHtt iNt'
The world is but an AuetOnif to-day we fetch shy
To turns the lot about, aud shes us worth high
You w4atio know what learnnss WORTH you ask me what
Is Wits price
ansrer, Push Tie elare here, whatever may be is
pnceH
The shortest actors now conrive get rather long
AndsngeLs TOO, atho' sometimes they're hardly worth
song, Price
win bidders, dancers fresh from France, well liking
Tho when they get nothing, may be said to fetch
their fun price.
whereer you SELL whate you SELL when selling seek
q higher price;
But Zines are ehaned, need not say when you become
Tor Then ths truth should your mind be uppcrnos and
clca'. Pr &c,
There things persons that At nothing would
De Gear, Pfice.
Don't huy politician. don't have him At loan. Price.
nor iawysds, ~nen they tell you, you may take them
Nordoelors, Who Il fashionable, always fetch an even
Andec'r Of hese, the 'de'd hmscr shall never fete,
stephen Free.
Your 3neaking sour' nsdious YOU wont
Your caniwes the siege Of Bfe don't buy en in at
90, zen your brains IL brains you have, aud sell ZEN al
But e,r, your hearts away NY boys-dgn'f ..l ies q,
whatc'cr price. | "
And be mems , prices What they may, now shall iu.,
To slug u In your presence there Is nothing kstL. On,
AscsCh nan has Die own since tho lays Of Madam, I've
Way We have ors-ani hero mo is,-you, ts.i,. 80.
Jolly SrFPu PWcs" ' ivy
Bravo. SIR iu eYeloio,sd the 5.i;.L,.5 - -