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Literary
September 20, 1837
The North Carolina Standard
Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Two humorous anecdotes about British royalty: William IV recounts as Duke of Clarence being mistaken for an 'old gentleman' by a butcher's boy during a ride; George IV laughs at Don Miguel of Portugal, a short figure flanked by tall nobles, likening them to Hercules' pillars.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Anecdotes of his late Majesty.
The following anecdote was told with great glee by his late Majesty, at a dinner party given by George IV., at the cottage, Windsor-park, in 1827. It is to be observed that William IV- when duke of Clarence, used frequently during his residence at Bushy-park, to ride out unaccompanied by any servant. "I was riding in the park the other day," said his royal highness, on the road between Teddington and Hampton-wick, when I was overtaken by a butcher's boy on horseback, with a tray of meat under his arm. "Nice pony that of your's, old gentleman," said he. "Pretty fair," was my reply. "Mine's a good one too," rejoined he; "and I'll trot you to Hampton-wick for a pot o' beer." I declined the match: and the butcher's boy, as he stuck his single spur into his horse's side exclaimed with a look of contempt, "I thought you were only a muff!"
On the recital of this anecdote, his Majesty George IV and all who were at the table laughed outright; which was more than the King could do with propriety, in the earlier part of the same day, when he, with the greatest difficulty, restrained his cachinatory emotions, on beholding Don Miguel of Portugal introduced between the Duke of Devonshire and the late Marquis of Conyngham-the Don being a dwarf mulatto, and each of his supporters something more than six feet high: "Egad," said the King, as he first caught a glance of the Portuguese Prince and his conductors, "I always thought that Hercules' pillars had been the supporters of the arms of Spain."
The following anecdote was told with great glee by his late Majesty, at a dinner party given by George IV., at the cottage, Windsor-park, in 1827. It is to be observed that William IV- when duke of Clarence, used frequently during his residence at Bushy-park, to ride out unaccompanied by any servant. "I was riding in the park the other day," said his royal highness, on the road between Teddington and Hampton-wick, when I was overtaken by a butcher's boy on horseback, with a tray of meat under his arm. "Nice pony that of your's, old gentleman," said he. "Pretty fair," was my reply. "Mine's a good one too," rejoined he; "and I'll trot you to Hampton-wick for a pot o' beer." I declined the match: and the butcher's boy, as he stuck his single spur into his horse's side exclaimed with a look of contempt, "I thought you were only a muff!"
On the recital of this anecdote, his Majesty George IV and all who were at the table laughed outright; which was more than the King could do with propriety, in the earlier part of the same day, when he, with the greatest difficulty, restrained his cachinatory emotions, on beholding Don Miguel of Portugal introduced between the Duke of Devonshire and the late Marquis of Conyngham-the Don being a dwarf mulatto, and each of his supporters something more than six feet high: "Egad," said the King, as he first caught a glance of the Portuguese Prince and his conductors, "I always thought that Hercules' pillars had been the supporters of the arms of Spain."
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Political
What keywords are associated?
Royal Anecdotes
William Iv
George Iv
Butcher Boy
Don Miguel
Humor
Diplomacy
Literary Details
Title
Anecdotes Of His Late Majesty.
Subject
Anecdotes From A Royal Dinner Party In 1827 And A Diplomatic Introduction
Form / Style
Humorous Biographical Anecdotes In Prose
Key Lines
"Nice Pony That Of Your's, Old Gentleman," Said He.
"Mine's A Good One Too," Rejoined He; "And I'll Trot You To Hampton Wick For A Pot O' Beer."
"I Thought You Were Only A Muff!"
"Egad," Said The King, As He First Caught A Glance Of The Portuguese Prince And His Conductors, "I Always Thought That Hercules' Pillars Had Been The Supporters Of The Arms Of Spain."