The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-16
Xankes Silsbee i'm London.

JOSH SrLsBEE. the Yankee Comedian who
has so often "split the sides OF many city res-
ders, is now scootine round in the old wo,ii
Just to take good look at things and turn an
honest penny in his profession. He has writ
ten TO the Detroit Advertiser an account Of his
trip over the sea. and we clip from his letter a
touch Of his go aheaditveness in the big city.
and how JOSH brought John Bull TO anchor on
short acquaintance. He writes:
Well, I've been in London over a week, ard
have made good my time. I've not stood with
my hands 10 my pockets wondering where |
should go, or what should go with, as some
Of the Yankees do. bolted off slap bang"
and L assure you have not been idle. First
4 went 10 the Exhibition, of course, where ev-
erybody goes the first thing, and Ia! such
stupendous pile Of glass the world never
saw Ii looks like an overerown hot house
and believe that will be It's uieiior use at the
close of the present affair. As TO the contents
Of the building, can't begin TO tell you what
my eye brings in at one liule glance-such a
medley of statuary and satins, fabrics and feath
ers pearls and petticoats machinery and mobs,
silver and sandwiches, all mixed up like pick
les 10 jar. The American Department don't
quite come up to the chalk. but the Times
newspaper said some tirre ago, a nation with
contioent in its pocket can afford 10 be indie
pendent We've got lots Of slick things here
for all the talk bluster. for John Bull loves to
turn up his nose. and let him do il, he'll turn il
up so far one OF these days that he won't get it
Gown again IN hurry
Among other distinguished places have
visited, was the Tower. the great Tower where
Anne Boleyn and several other fine people
were affectionately invited to leave their heads,
and which they did much against their wills,
although suppose they made their tciiLs be-
fore they went Its gloomy sombre walls
called up a flood Of golden recollection Of the
feudal days when Queen Bess (who tried to
make the world believe she was a virgin) and
her interesting sister, Mary, who, was always in
the hotties Of hot water about ner religious
doctrines. Then old Clarence, too who tum
bled into butt OF favorte Malmsey and there
"kicked the bucket" We can't say whether
the Duke was drunk, although il must be con-
fessed that when iIe died he was very much
tn liquor. We roamed with party of Others
rhrough the various apartment Of the Tower,
and our guide. who was a chaity, talkaiye little
mar, irissed about aud showed us every object
with deal Of gusto. At last he came TO the
great cannon and ordinance captured hom the
enemies Of various nations.
"This piece" said our little guide, with all
the pomp Of little Enslshman. who never
feels 50 happy as when boastng OF their vcto-
ries, "this piece is from Waterloo. Lord. how
we did beat them there! This is from Bada-
jos-this from so and so''-and he ran over he
cannon, dilating on his history Of each with
evident satisfaction in every muscle Of his
couutepance.
l saw he was highly diverted with relating
the exploits Of his nation. so thought would
bring him TO anchor" little, as the sailors say.
All at obce looked carefully about me, turned
my head every which way, and then looked
enquiringly at the guide.
"What are you looking for, sir may | en-
quire" at leogth said he; we've got trophies
from all naiions," and he pointed TO number
ofinterestiug specimens with their mouths
gaping open like hungry bulldogs.
''Have you, indeed!" said l. carelessly, 81
wasn't looking for French trophies, nor Span
ish."
perhaps it's the Chinese!" Interrupted he.
''No. not the Chinese" said I, "bul see
you have got so much stuff laying about here,
where's all that was captured from the .4mer-
icans ehl"
''Ah!" grunted he, looking amazingly blank,
1.-The American-yes, the Amencans--from
the Americans. you mcan!"
"Yes," replied |, still looking, 81 don't see
any from the United Staies-where is il ALL
want to see III"
"Oh, yes! that taken 10 Amerca-t see
yes"
Exactly" repeated [. "I heard vou took n
good deal at Bunker Hill aud Bennington and
Trenton and those Places"
$50 we did," said he quickly, "but 10 ,oas
suck old sigG, that zoe didn't care about bring
tag thome!"
Just then sudden thought struck him; his
eyes rolled up, little blood flew to his cheeks,
and he evidently ''smoked." He took the
queue and backed down. We the company
we're going out. he leaned over and whispered
in my ear that was Yankee.
'Pm nothing else, sir" said !, land as for
that old stuff you took at Yorktown, and sew
eral other places might mention, I'll tell them
TO send 1t over to you when get home"