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The Adventures of Dr. Syntax, Part 7

The Adventures of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque

Part 7

Dr. Syntax Tumbling into the Water

Excerpts from Canto 10
Dr. Syntax, after falling into the lake in Canto 9, becomes sick:

“…It was not Vice that e’er could keep
Dear Syntax from refreshing sleep;
For no foul thought, no wicked art.
In his pure life e’er bore a part.
Some ailment dire his slumbers broke.
And, ere the sun arose he awoke;
When such a tremor o’er him pass’d.
He thought that hour would prove his last.
His limbs were all besieg’d by pain;
He now grew hot, then cold again:
His tongue was parch’d, his lips were dry,
And, heaving the unbidden sigh.
He rang the bell, and call’d for aid.
Then groan’d so loud, th’ affrighted maid
Spread the alarm throughout the house;
When straight the landlord and his spouse
 Made all despatch to do their best

And ease the sufferings of their guest. …”

Eventually  Dr. Syntax regains his health and he goes forward on his quest for the picturesque — which so far has brought him more trouble than anything else.

When, on the fourth, in health renew’d.
His anxious journey he pursu’d.
In two days more, before his eyes
The stately towers of York arise.
“But what,” said he, “can all this mean?
What is yon crowded busy .scene?
Ten thousand souls, I do maintain,
Are scattered over yonder plain,”
“Ay, more than that,” a man replied.
Who trotted briskly by his side,
“And if you choose, I’ll be your guide:
For sure you will not pass this way.
And miss the pleasure of the day:
These are the races, to whose sport
Nobles and gentry all resort.”
Thought Syntax I’ll just take a look;

Twill give a subject to my book. …”
 

Dr. Syntax loses his money at the Race ground at York

It will come as no surprise to those of you who’ve followed the good doctor’s journey so far that the man who offers his services is less than honest!  He tempts Dr Syntax into a wager — which results in a loss of 20 pounds. Another dilemma for our hero.

What would have been his hapless fate.
In this most unexpected state,

May well be guess’d: but, lo! a friend
Fortune was kind enough to send.
An honest ‘Squire, who smok’d the trick,
Appeared well arm’d with oaken stick.
And placing many a sturdy blow
Upon the shoulders of the foe,
“It is with all my soul I beat
This vile, this most notorious cheat…”
 
“… Syntax his simple story told ; —
The ‘Squire, as kind as he was bold.
His full protection now affords
And cheer’d him both with wine and words.
“I love the Clergy from my heart,
And always take a parson’s part.
My father, Doctor, wore the gown;
A better man was never known….”
 There follows another long conversation extolling the virtues of the clergy.  Dr. Syntax, in his own opinion, has never had a clerical lliving (job) worthy of his abilities, and he tells that to almost everyone he meets. To a great extent thiese dialogues prepare us for the denouement to come after many more adventures.

 

Excerpts from Canto 11

After a comfortable night with the squire and his wife, over  a hearty breakfast Dr. Syntax is addressed by his host:
 
This morning I intend to go
To see the military show.
The light dragoons, now quartered here.
Will all in grand review appear :
They are a regiment of renown.
And some great general is come down
To see them all, in bright array,
Act the fierce battle of the day.
If you should like such sights as these, —
If Warlike feats your fancy please.
We’ll to the common take a ride.
And I myself will be your guide:
So, if you please, within an hour
Our nags shall be before the door.”…
Dr. Syntax at the Review
 
Naturally the good doctor agrees. But just as they are about to leave he receives a letter from his wife, full of loal gossip from home…which concludes as follows:
 
“…So fare you well, my dearest life,—-
And I remain your loving wife.”
 Postscript.  
” But if you fear that you shall come
Without a bag of money home,
Twere better far that you should take
A leap at once into the Lake:
I’d rather hear that you were drown’d,
Than that you should my hopes confound!”
These tender lines did not impart
Much comfort to the Doctor’s heart;
He therefore thought it would be better
To lay aside this pretty letter;
Nor suffer its contents to sour
The pleasure of the present hour.
The ‘Squire now became his guide,
So off they trotted, side by side;
And, ere they pass’d a mile or two,^
Beheld the scene of the review.
The troops drawn up in proud array,
An animating sight display ;
The well-form’d squadrons wheel around.
The standards wave, the trumpets sound…”
 
The horese Grizzle recalls her long-ago days as a war horse by resonding vigorously to the trumpets.  But Dr. Syntax manages to survive the charge and eventually returns to his host’s home, where the Squire and his Wife entertain him with some songs.  Dr. Syntax reciprocates. 
“Doctor Syntax’s Song.
 I’ve got a scold of a wife.
The plague and storm of my life;
O! were she in coal-pit bottom.
And all such jades, ‘od rot ’em!
My cares would then be over.
And I should live in clover;
With harum scarum, horum scorum,
Stew’d prunes for ever!
Stew’d prunes for ever! …
 
The song continues for many verses and concludes:
 
…By fam’d UIlyssus’ stream
How oft I fondly dream,
When I read in classic pages,
Of all the ancient sages;
But they were born to die,
And so were you and I;
With harum scarum, horum scorum,-
Stew’d prunes for everl
Stew’d prunes for ever !
Thus, with many a pleasant lay,
The party clos’d th’ exhausted day.
More to come…
 
 
 
 
 

A Couple In England – Day One – Part Two

You may recall that in the first half of my post about our first day in London, I left you at the gates of the In and Out Club on Piccadilly. It was cold, grey and wet; I was chomping at the bit to get into the midst of London, while Hubby was a tad less so. And it was Boxing Day, so that most things were closed.
“What now?” asked the Husband. I looked at him. What, indeed? I hadn’t factored in the weather. Or the closings. And speaking of closings, they made not a whit of difference to the hoardes of people walking briskly past us up and down Piccadilly. I looked across the street at the entrance to Green Park. What to do, what to do? Drawing upon my past experiences in London, not to mention the times I’d been over as as a tour guide, I went through my mental Roledex searching for inspiration.

“Come on,” I told Hubby, guiding him by the arm towards the crossing light. Over the road we went, then headed towards Apsley House until we got to the bus stop.

“Why are we standing here?” asked Hubby, naturally enough.
“We’re waiting for the bus. The Big Red tour bus.” I smiled encouragingly, recalling how much fun the Husband had had on the bus the last time we’d been in London together – when we’d ridden all the routes at his suggestion. And taken the Thames River cruise that our tickets also included.
He looked skeptical. “How do you know it stops here?” I pointed at the sign.

The Husband’s face lit with sunshine. “I love the bus tour!” Things were looking up. The next bus showed up sharpish and on we hopped. We paid for our fares and the Hubby took two pair of headphones from the attendant, who encouraged us to head up the stairs to the top level.
“The front of the bus is covered. You won’t get wet and you’ll have a better view. You don’t want to sit down here,” he said. Before I could respond, the Husband was all but pushing me up the stairs.
“Hurry up!” he encouraged. “Quick, before the good seats are all taken.” He apparently hadn’t noticed that the bus was thus far empty. Up we went and had our pick of seats. We chose two right in front of the big windscreen, sat down and plugged in our headphones.
“This is great!”
I smiled back at him. “Happy?”
“Sure. Aren’t you?” You bet. The bus pulled away from the curb and the narrative began. “The very first Hard Rock Cafe can be seen on the right . . . . . . . and the large residence coming up just ahead is Apsley House, home to the Dukes of Wellington . . . . . . . the Wellington Arch . . . . . . . . . the Lanesborough Hotel, formerly St. George’s Hospital . . . . . . “
Hubby turned to me with a grin and mouthed, “Apsley House!” He pointed at me and mouthed again, “Artie!” I nodded and grinned in return. It was turning out to be a pretty good day after all.
Up Park Lane we went and I spied the Winter Wonderland set up behind Apsley House in Hyde Park. “That’s where we’re going on Friday night,” I told Hubby. Soon we were at Marble Arch, then Oxford Street, which was absolutely crowded with people. Round London we rode – Trafalgar Square, the Duke of York’s column . . . . . Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.

Past the Embankment, the Tower of London and over Tower Bridge we rode. The narrative directed our attentention to St. George Wharf Tower on the left, which is destined to become the tallest residential building in London and which, unfortunately, would be the scene of a helicopter crash in just two weeks time.

We crossed back over the River and before long we passed Buckingham Palace.
And, once again, Big Ben.
Needless to say, the bus tour was a smashing success. Hubby and I were back on the same page, he was as glad as I to be in London and all seemed right with the world. On that note, we went back to the Green Park Hilton and had dinner in their lovely restaurant and then went upstairs to properly unpack. Climbing into bed a short while later, I kissed the husband and turned out the light secure in the knowledge that tomorrow I’d be waking up in England. On the street where Bertie and Jeeves lived, no less.
Day Two Coming Soon . . . . . . .

The Book of Fashionable Life – Collar Days

From The Book of Fashionable Life by A Member of the Royal Household (London, n.d.)
COLLAR DAYS.
 
   The Drawing Room is more than usually brilliant on what is emphatically termed “a Collar Day,” when the Knights of the Garter, St. Patrick, the Thistle, and indeed of all orders, appear in the presence of the Sovereign in their respective collars and jewels, thereby heightening the rich display of magnificence at all times visible at a Drawing Room. The following is the rota of Collar Days held at the ancient palace of St. James:—January 1st and 6th February 2nd and 24th; March 1st, 17th, and 25th April 23rd and 25th; May 1st, 24th, and 29th June 20th, 24th, 28th, and 29th; July 25th August 24th; September 21st and 29th; October 18th and 28th; November 1st, 5th, and 30th; December 21st and 25th; together with Easter Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday; Ascension Day; Whit Monday and Tuesday; and also Trinity Sunday.
 
GENERAL REMARKS.
 
No one should presume to go through the ordeal of presentation without much preliminary training; for, with the best social education and self-possession a person may be utterly at fault in the Queen’s drawing room. It is surprising, nevertheless, with how much tact the amiable sex acquire the conventionalities of this grand reunion; while men, who have been admired for ease and grace elsewhere, are at first little removed from gauche. A person of great nerve once informed us that he never felt himself so completely deserted by this quality, as when he was presented to George the Fourth. And still more of gallantry and delicacy are requisite in paying respect to a young, lovely, and accomplished Queen.
In kissing Her Majesty’s hand, the left arm of the party presented (while kneeling) should be placed under the Queen’s right arm, just above the wrist, so as to support it. The utmost grace should be exercised in this act of homage. The kiss should be merely a movement of the lips. Excepting on rare occasions, the Queen always stands to receive the company at the Drawing Room; and we lay the more stress on this, as many have most erroneously asserted that Her Majesty sits during the whole time of reception.
One of the most splendid coups d’ceilat the Drawing Room is that afforded in witnessing the vast assemblage of the beauty and elegance of the English aristocracy, whilst waiting in the corridors of St. James’s Palace for their carriages. This spacious avenue is generally so crowded as to cause a great delay to those who have attended the Drawing Room; and these titled personages have been known to wait upwards of two hours before theircarriages have been enabled to approach the palace.
A very general mistake prevails as to the Dress of gentlemen at drawing rooms. “Silk stockings” are supposed to be indispensable, whereas the Prince, as Field Marshal, wears the high boots; as do also the Duke of Cambridge, and His Grace the Duke of Wellington. Boots, too, are proper for all in military costume.
In the quadrangle, facing Marlborough House, is placed the Guard of Honour, furnished by the Life Guards, attended by their splendid band, in their State clothing, with their silver kettle drums (valued at one thousand guineas), the gift of King George III. and George IV. to these gallant regiments. The elegance of the carriages and horses of the Foreign Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and great Officers of State, in the Ambassadors’ Court at St. James’s Palace, is proverbial; the ensemble has a striking appearance, and is worthy inspection. We now conclude, having entered elaborately into a review of this most august ceremonial, and with the consciousness that our statements are unimpeachably correct.

A Couple In England – Day One – Part One

After a fairly uneventful red-eye flight to England on the night of December 25th, we landed at Heathrow next morning and then headed for the Green Park Hilton, our hotel in Half Moon Street. This is a little gem of a place, located in a row of townhouses between Piccadilly and Curzon Street and backing onto Shepard’s Market.

Though it was much colder, and wetter, than the Husband or I had anticipated, we were given a warm welcome by the hotel staff and shown to our room, which wasn’t badly sized, as London hotel rooms go. Once I’d unpacked (i.e. put the suitcase on the luggage stand and the duffel in a corner) I urged the Hubby to get a move on.
“Come on, let’s go,” said I.
“Go? It’s freezing. Where are we going? You’re taking me to Apsley House, aren’t you?”
“Apsley House is closed till Saturday. We’re going outside. We’re in London. In Mayfair.”
I should probably tell you now that we spent three days with my family in New Jersey before flying to England. During those three days, my daughter, Brooke, had ample time and opportunity to warn the Husband against Apsley House, home of the Duke of Wellington. Boring is what she called it. Have you ever? She did allow that it was tolerable the first few times I’d taken her there, but that by now she would be grateful to never darken its doorway again.
“Really, Ma, how many times are you going to see it? And why do you always have to drag me along?” Kids.
So Hubby and I venture outside and make it all of a few hundred feet up to Curzon Street, where Hubby spots a Caffe Nero on the corner. I can take a hint as well as the next chap, so inside we go and order an Americano (Hubby) and a mocha (moi). We take them outside and sit at one of the little cafe tables on the pavement. We sip. We light up. And I begin to grin like a Cheshire Cat.
“Is it me, or is this the best coffee you’ve ever tasted?” asks Hubby.
“It’s pretty demmed good. Better than Starbucks, even.”
“Why is it so good,do you think?”
“It’s not made with regular coffee. It’s made with two shots of espresso and boiling water. Strong.”
“Is that why you’re smiling like that?”
“No. I could be drinking bilge water and I’d still be grinning like this. I’m in London. Finally. London. In England.” I looked across the street at the G. Heywood Hill bookshop. “Nancy Mitford worked there.”
“Eh?”
“A writer. Sister to the Duchess of Devonshire.”
“My good man,” said the Husband. His usual response to most of my remarks about British history, as he tends to feel as though I’m lecturing him whenever I attempt to explain what I think are interesting bits of trivia.
“Come on, let’s walk around the corner to Shepard’s Market,” I said, getting my things together.
“Shopping?” the Husband asked.
“Only if you want sheep. It used to be where they sold sheep in London. Now it’s full of restaurants and pubs. I just want to go and look.”
“Look at what?”
“Shepard’s Market,” I sighed. “We’re in London. We’re going to go and look at London. Starting with Shepard’s Market.” I refrained from explaining that I just wanted to walk the streets, any streets, in order to just be in London. I wanted to soak up the atmosphere. Personally, I didn’t care that it was cold, or grey, or wet. All I wanted was to walk aimlessly through Mayfair, to examine every nook and cranny as the whim took me, to peek down service entrances and read blue plaques and imagine Fanny Burney and Beau Brummell having strolled these same streets. Egad, but I’d never missed Victoria so much in all my life.
We walked up Curzon Street and through the alley there that leads to the Market. Unfortunately, it being Boxing Day, everything but one lone pub was shut up tight.

So I walked Hubby down the alley that leads to Piccadilly, where we came out just beside the In and Out Club, now almost obscured by sidings.

Peeking through the gates, I told the Husband that it was soon to be the most expensive private home in Mayfair, that the people who’d bought it were planning to do a massive remodel and that the building alone sold for one hundred and fifty million pounds.
“It was originally built for the Earl of Egremont,” I went on, even though I knew that Hubby might feel he was being lectured. “Then it was sold to the Duke of Cambridge. Adolphus. Brother to George the IV.” I was in full spate. “Then it was bought by Lord Palmerston. Who was Prime Minister. Twice.” I couldn’t have stopped myself if I’d tried. “Finally it was bought by the Naval and Military Club. They painted the words In and Out on the two gates and so the place came to be called the In and Out Club instea
d.”
“My good man.”
Part Two Coming Soon . . . . . .

6th Jane Austen Festival – Louisville

cid:16C1C740-7820-4313-B4B7-6971AC18C298@medicalcity.com
6th Annual Jane Austen Festival
July 20 & 21, 2013
10 a.m. – 5:00p.m. each day
Admission $12
Historic Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
502-897-9845
Join us as we celebrate the bicentenary of Pride & Prejudice!
Regency Style Show, Regency Emporium, Four Course Afternoon Tea,
Grand Ball, Workshops, a Duel between Gentlemen, Bare Knuckle Boxing Demonstration, Music & other entertainment and a NEW theatrical presentation – Elizabeth & Darcy-A Love Story,
Plus an encampment of His Majesty’s Royal Navy
Plan to attend in Regency attire!
On Saturday a Regency Promenade will take place in an effort to break the Guinness Book World Record number of people in Regency attire
Sponsored by: Greater Louisville Region, Jane Austen Society of North America
www.jasnalouisville.com (to register, begins June 1)
6th Annual Jane Austen Festival, Saturday, July 20 & Sunday, July 21, 2013 at Historic Locust Grove, Louisville, Kentucky
The 6rd Annual Jane Austen Festival will take place at beautiful Historic Locust Grove located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY (www.locustgrove.org)
Inside the Visitors’ Center a four-course Afternoon Tea will take place each day and is $20 per person. Also a Silent Auction of lovely Regency era items and Jane Austen memorabilia will be offered.
Back by popular demand is the special children’s tea which will take place on Sunday afternoon at the last tea time. Children aged 4-12 are invited to attend with an adult and have their own special menu sure to please. They will have their photo taken with Mr. Darcy & Miss Elizabeth Bennett, have a regency themed craft project, and take home their own pretty cup and saucer-all for $15.00
“The Shoppes of “Meryton” will be set-up outside and will have vendors from throughout the Midwest and Canada who specialize in Regency era wares such as fabric, shoes, bonnets, patterns, jewelry, tea sets, tea and much, much more!
New this year, “Elizabeth & Darcy-A Love Story, a play written by Greater Louisville member, Alana Gillett. The 45 minute presentation requires a separate ticket ($10).
Also new, a Regency Promenade on Saturday. Come dress in your Regency attire as we attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record number of people in Regency attire. $1 per person registration fee, which will be donated to the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton, England.
Engage with the crew of the HMS Acasta, members of His Majesty’s Royal Navy who will demonstrate the real lives of sailors as they go about their business, ie signal flag demo, playing cricket, sextant demos and more!
The log and stone buildings on the grounds will host the Regency men’s club called the “Hellfire Club”, and The Earl of Sandwich snack shop. Common Stock Entertainment will entertain young and old alike with shadow puppets, old-fashioned, kid-friendly peep shows, and other 18th century entertainments.
Other talks and demonstrations to be held under the tent include “Dressing Mr. Darcy” and the ever-popular Regency Style show. While a display of Regency fashion will be located in the Grand Parlor in the house all-day both days.
At the Village Green each day demonstrations of Bare Knuckle Boxing, a Duel Between Gen
tlemen and a Fencing Demonstration.
A Grand Ball will take place on Saturday, July 20 in conjunction with the local English Country Dance Society at Spalding University. Advance reservation required ($20 per person) and not included with festival admission.
Workshops will be offered: Regency Capote Bonnet, Regency Straw Poke Bonnet and Turbans Through Time. ($30, $30 & $25 each)
Admission to the festival is $12 each day and includes admission to the ca. 1790 Locust Grove, a National Historic Landmark. Recently intensive research and restoration has completely changed the interior of the home to the period when Revolutionary War hero, George Rogers Clark, lived in the House, 1809-1818.
The Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) was founded in July of 2007. They meet monthly at Historic Locust Grove. The Jane Austen Festival has become a very successful event with approximately 1,700 attending from 18 states and Canada in 2012.
For information about JASNA, visit www.jasna.org and to purchase tickets for workshops, the ball, afternoon tea and admission, visit www.jasnalouisville.com On-line pre-registration begins June 1st.
Media questions can be forwarded to Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator at wises4@insightbb.com or call 502-727-3917 (cell) Mrs. Wise can provide high res photos and is available for interviews.