"Paul Clifford", Chapter 14, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

1 year ago
20

Servant. Get away, I say, wid dat nasty bell.

Punch. Do you call this a bell? (patting it.) It is an organ.

Servant. I say it is a bell,-a nasty bell!

Punch. I say it is an organ (striking him with it). What do you say it is now?

Servant. An organ, Mr. Punch!

The Tragical Comedy of Punch and Judy.

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I feel like my voice is way off on this one. Not sure why.

untimeous: untimely

The whigs give tolerable dinners? Any Brits care to let the rest of the world in on the joke being presented here? :)

pipe, in this context, is a cask for wine, especially as a measure equal to two hogsheads, usually equivalent to 105 gallons (about 477 liters)

Owyhee is an older form of Hawai'i. Which, at the time of this story, would still be fairly new to Europeans, having been discovered by Captain Cook only in 1778, and the European powers (and the USA) were all competing intensely for domination of the islands.

Chief Baron: the presiding judge of the English Exchequer of Pleas. Where the Exchequer of Pleas was a court dealing with matters of equity. It was merged with the Court of Chancery in 1880 via the Judicature Acts.

ortolan: a small European migratory bunting (Emberiza hortulana), once eaten whole as a delicacy

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system. Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions.

Mechlin: lace made in the Belgian city of Mechelen (formerly known as Mechlin), characterized by patterns outlined in heavier thread

Woolsack: the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords

The picture used is " Interior view of Landmark Trust apartment - Beckford's Tower - Bath, England." by Daderot.

It's an apartment in Bath, perhaps not entirely dissimilar to the ones our character here were staying in.

To follow along: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7735/7735-h/7735-h.htm#link2HCH0014

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