The St. Louis Republic., 1905-12-24
"Real Humor 10 q VaGrant--le Loves Every.
thing That IL Good Worth While Life -
BY JEROME X. JEROME
Auth Of Thoue, of die
Men in

pears i~iicvc his hr,nor
Is lcvond th. comI9chen-
sion-of the average Engishman. say. In some
respects ne is right: The whole thing depends upon
the viewpoint II has been said. belicve tina; \
joke at Johannesburg would bc murder in Mayiair "
Likewise. what might be q Bowcry ion mo; might
prove :. matter if brought up before
London magistrate.
There national Jokes just there national
tragedies. In some respects they are interchange
able: but it matter Of suEercr"ga;ion attempt
To analyze humor sal ccn.rls. because just what
may he one mans meat may prove another ma:,s
poison. what may bc laughing matter in South
Africa might be considered desperate tragedy in
London.
Many jokes indeed fall in the category Of the
stones that the boys threw at the froSs-g,sd
fun for the throwcrs. but possibly not much
appreciated by the object. Onl:'. men have the
advantage Of frogs. inasmuch they can throw the
Tor jokes back. with the Jagged points
rc,rranscd to suit the throwcrs' ideas Of fun.
Jokes depend for appreciation on opportunity
ard environment well personality. There
family jokes for instanCcnrCh thought Of in their
family. iut kccnlv appreciated outside.
Ais" ii bump my against the edge OF a door
the experience Is not hit funny TO me. though it
might and probably would evoke entirely an oplO-
feeling in Others. However. that would i,c in
the category Of exceptional or unexpected jokes.
simply cite these examples to show that jokes
IL
an.lyzc all the Jokes that supposed To con-
tam the basic principles Of humor. likely to
find 4 great majority based individual mis-
fortune. and that sort Of joke is dangerously
cruelty. If not a fight.
NJ doubt the many derivatives the original
jokes marriage death. love and debt Il do not
pretend To these down in scqucrce) ENJOYABLE.
because all these things are likely TO happen any
q; Us. and misery not only loves company hut is
moved To JOYOUS laughter when i, is found in
others
Twas asked not long ago by an acquaintance for
the difference between English and
american humor. ! was willing. but puzzled.
As far AS could see. English and American humor
interchangeable If not the thing. Ny
acquaintance thought English,nen slow to
joke and were inclined 10 cling to old jokes old
fricnds-madc them classics IN fact. thought ii a
good ,rai, rather than otherwise
He cited London Punch poor old Punch -
Is an example did feel called upon defend
Punch I have always understood all Of
Punch's'' Jokes myself But l simply cited the
lac, that Mcssrs Du Maurier. .Ar;enus Ward and
other gentlemen wcl-known both sides Of the
Atlantic had contributed extensively to Punch
lie argued i,,r,hc, that Englsl,,ncn We're not only
slow a joke bu; were often puzzled Il not
i-nan, At classes oi American Jokes. l
thought this possible although l did
However the thing that principally ;;;4 led HIN
how old Jokes lasted 50 Ion: England and
stI!l retained their freshness ior EngiiSi:TCn. l
Though, l several reasons. hu; he brought
,r;o prominence himself.
By natural sequence. n,ay'c. fitted from, Jokes
10 Journalism lie discussed contributions the
press II appeared he had secured from Auicr-
of prominence article ia, ms publication
lie wanted To- know II had such contributions
Il, hand told hn had engaged - furnish a
article 10, English publication He asked when
they wanted l said they would like ;hc
S,-irt ]: An cs.iy ds.c-sly IN MAJ a.! !: that
top soon. .tus,,s, would do.
lie looked SURPRISED YOU 20 deliver copy
T., May August NEXT" ne SAID. .>nd this
November Great CEsAs. Why. got after my