Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-26

most annoying hoaxes ever recorded was
that which, about sixty years ago, was
known in London as tne Berners street
hoax. 1t drew the attention of the news
papers at the time then Of the magazines
and tie Annual Register; many years
afterward i'm connection with bograph
ical notice of the hoaxer), of the Quarter
ly Review; and more recently, if we re-
member rightly, of the " lngoldsby Le
gends.'' Berners street is quiet street
of hotels ana shops 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 wagon-load OF Goals drew up
before the door of widow lady in that
street, and soon afterward a van-load of
furniture then came herse with coffin,
and a train of mourning-coaches. Presents
ly arrived two fashionable physicians, a
dentist, and an accoucheur, driving up as
near as they could to the door, and Won
dering why so many numbering vehicles
were so near at hand. Six men brought
great chamber-Organ a cOach-maker,
cock-maker a carpet-manufacturer, and
wine-merchant sent specimens of their
goods a brewer brought stveral barrels
of ale; curiosity dealers brought sundry
knick- -knacks A piano-forte, linen, jew
elry, wigs and head-dresses, cart-load of
potatoes books, prints, conjuring tricks,
feathers, ices, jellies, were among the
things brought to (or at least near the
house while mantau-makers came with
baskets of millinery and fancy articles,
and opticians with telescopes. Then,
after a 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 car
riages-the commander-in-chief, the arch
bishop of Canterbury, a cabinet minister,
the lord chief Justice, the governor of the
bank of England, the chairman of direc-
tors OF the East India company, an eminent
parliamentary phiIanthropist, and the
lord mayor. The last-named functionary
one among those who speedily saw tina
all had been victimized by a gigantic hoa2
drove to Marlborough street police office
and told the sitting magistrate that he haC
received letter from lady in Berner:
street, to the effect that she had been sum
moned to attend at the Mansion house
that she was extremely i'll, and that sh
wished to make deposition upon oath
and that she would deem it great favor
if his lordship would call upon her. Al
the other persons of eminence had haC
their commseration appealed to in sim
liar way. Police officers (there were n
policemen in those days. were sent to keel
order in Berners street, which was nearl
choked with vehicles, jammed and inter
locked one with another; the driver
were irritated, the disappointed tradesme
were exasperated, and a large crowd er
joyed the malicious fun. Some of the var
- and goods were overturned and broken
!; while few casks of ale became prey t
!. the popuace Ali through the day, unit
~ ~ late at night, did this extraordinary stat
-. - of things continue, to the terror and di
~ may of the poor lady and the other inmate
- of the house. Every one found directl
a. that it was hoax; but the name Of tt
~ ~ hoaxer was not known till long afterwar'
III u This, it appeared, was Theodore Hook, OF
49, of the most inveterate punsters and jokel
II of the day. He had noticed the vel
% quiet character of Berners street, and tt
~ ~ name of Mrs--on brass plate on OF
70 70 of the doors he laid wager with brot
ba oa er-wag who accompanied him, that
,as de would make that particular house the tal
On of the whole town. And he assuredly d
~ it. He devoted three or four days
W. ", writing letters, in the name of Mrs s--
~ ~ to tradesmen of all kinds, professional me
ps n. distinguished personages, and servants O
ns ns of place; all coucbed in a lady-like sty
,u ,;n and requesting the persons addressed
ana .,a come to Berners street on the appoint
oa @ day, for reasons specially stated. Ho
hos b took furnished lodging just opposite
oso o house, and there posted himself, with t
oaS snS or three companions on the day in qu
,ua ;rs tion, to enjoy the scene. He deemed
';oh ' expedient. however, to go off quickly il
;en ;..1 the country, and there remain incog for
,as time; if he had been publicly known