Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-12-19
5fiseellamp.
A Celebrated Hoax.

recorded, was that which, about sixt'
years ago, was known in London as tn
Berners street hoax. 1t drew the atten
tion of the newspapers at the time +; theI
of the magazines and the Annual Regis
ter; many years afterward Gin connection
with a biographical notice of the no
axer,) of the Quarterly Review; anC
more recently, if we remember rightly
of the Ingoldsby Legends" Berner
street is quiet street of hotels and shop
with private looking windows; in 1910
it was still more quiet, inhabited by well
to-do families living in genteel way
One morning soon after breakfast, a wag
on load of coal drew up before the door
of a widow lady in that street, and soor
afterward van load of furniture then
came hearse with coffin, and a train
of mourning coaches. Presently arrived
two fashionable physicians, dentist,
and an accoucheur, driving up as near
as they could to the door, and wondering
why so many numbering vehicles were
so near at hand. Six men brought a
great chamber organ; coach maker, a
clock maker, a carpet manufacturer, and
wine merchant sent specimens of their
goods brewer brought several barrels
of ale; curiosity dealers brought sundry
knick-knacks. A piano forte, linen,
jewelry, wigs and head dresses, cart
load of potatoes, books, prints, conjuring
tricks, feathers, ices, jellies, were among
the things brought to Cor at least near
the house; while manteau-makers came
with baskets of millinery and fancy arti-
cles, and opticians with telescopes. Then
after time, trooped in from all quarters
grocers, coachmen, footmen, cooks, house
maids, nursery-maids, and other servants,
came in quest of situations. To crown
all, persons of distinction came in their
carriages-the commander in-chief, the
arch bishop of Canterbury, cabinet
minister, the lord chief justice, the gov
ernor of the bank of England, the chair
man of directors of the East India COM
pany, an eminent parliamentary philan-
thropist, and the lord mayor. The last
named functionary-one among those
who speedily saw that all had been vic
timized by gigantic hoax-drove to
Marlboro street police Office, and told
the sitting magistrate that he had re-
ceived letter from lady in Berners
street, to the effect that she had been
summoned to attend at the Mansion
House, that she was extremely i'll, and
that she wished to make deposition on
oath, and that she would deem it a great
favor if his lordship would call upon her.
All the other persons of eminence had
had their commiseration appealed to i'll
a similar way. Police officers (there
were no policemen in those days. were
sent to keep order in Berners street,
which was nearly choked with vehicles,
jambed and interlocked one with anoth-
er the drivers were irritated, the disap-
pointed tradesmen were exasperated, and
a large crowd enjoyed the malicious fun.
Some of the vans and goods were over
turned and broken while a few casks
of ale became prey to the populace.
All through the day, until late at night
did this extraordinary state of things
continue, to the terror and distress of the
poor lady and the other inmates of the
house. Every one found directly that it
was hoax, but the name of the hoaxer
was not known till long afterward. This,
it appeared, was Theodore Hook, one of
the most inveterate punsters and jokers
of the day. He had noticed the very
quiet character of Berners street, and
the name of Mrs. = on brass plate
ON one of the doors; he laid wager
with brother Wag who accompanied |
him, that he would make that particular |
house the talk of the whole town. And |
he assuredly did it. He devoted three
or four days to writing letters in the
name of Mrs. -, to tradesmen of all |
kinds, professional men, distinguished |
and servants out of place
all couched in lady-like style, and re-
9uesting the persons addressed to come
to Berners street on the appointed day,
for reasons specially stated. Hook took |
a furnished lodging just opposite the
house, and there posted himself with two |
or three companions on the day in ques-
ton, to enjoy the scene. He deemed it |
however, to go off quickly in
to the country and there remain incog
for a time; if he had been publicly
known as the author of the hoax, it is
probable that he would have Jared badly. |
- Chambers journal.