Punch or The London charivari (1.1841)

14

PUNCH, OR THE LONDOX CHARIVARI.

SPORTING.

the knocker hunt.

On Thursday, July 8, 1841, the celebrated pack of Knocker Boys rr.et at
Hie Cavendish, ia Jermyti Street. These animals, which have Vquired for
themselves a celebrity as undying as that of Tom and Jerry, a-«ol a fine
powerful breed, and in excellent condition. The success which invariably
attends them must be highly gratifying to the distinguished nobleman
who, if he did not introduce this particular species into the metropolis, has
at least done much to bring it to its present extraordinary state of perfection.

As there may be some of our readers who are ignorant of the purposes
ior -vnich this invaluable pack has been organised, it may be as well to state
a few particulars, before proceeding to the detail of one of the most splendid
ni;<hts upon record in the annals of disorderism.

The kaocker is a thing which is generally composed of brass or iron. It
has frequently a violent resemblance to the " human face divine," or the
ravenous expressiveness of a beast of prey. It assumes a variety of phases
under peculiar vinous influences. A gentleman, in whose veracity and
experience we have the most unlimited confidence, for a series of years kept
an account of the phenomena of his own knocker ; and by his permission
the following extracts are now submitted to the public : —

1840.

Nov. 12__Dined with Captain-. Capital spread—exquisite liqueurs

—magnificent wines—unparalleled cigars—drank my four bottles—
should have made it five, but found I had eaten something which
disagreed with me—Home at four.
State of Knocker.—Jumping up and down the surface of the door like a
rope dancer, occasionally diverging into a zig-zag, the key-hole partaking
}f the same eccentricities.

Nov. 13.—Supped with Charley B--. Brandy, genuine cognac—Cigars

principe. Estimated consumption : brandy and water, eighteen
glasses—cigars, two dozen—porter with a cabman, two pots.
Stale of Knocker. — Peripatetic—moved from our house to the next—
remained till it roused the family—returned to its own door, and became
duplicated—wouldn't wake the house-porter till five.

N. B. Found I had used my own thumb for a sounding-plate, and had
bruised my nail awfully.

Nov. 14.—Devoted the day to soda-water and my tailor's bill—gave a

draught for the amount, and took another on my own account.
Nov. 15.—Lectured by the " governor"—left the house savage—met the
Marquess—got verydrunk unconsciously—fancied myself a merman,
and that the gutter in the Haymarket was the Archipelago—grew
preposterous, and felt that I should like to be run over—thought I
was waltzing with Cerito, but found I was being carried on a stretcher
to tbe station-house—somebody sent somewhere for bail, and some-
body bailed me.

State of Knocker.—Very indistinct—then became uncommonly like the
"governor" In his nightcap—couid not reach it—presume it wa3 filial
affection that prevented me—knocked of its own accord, no doubt agitated
by sympathy—reverberated in my ears all night, and left me with a con-
founded head-ache in the morning.

The above examples are sufficient to show the variability of this singular
article.

Formerly the knocker was devoted entirely to the menial occupation of
announcing, by a single dab, or a variation of raps, the desire of persons
on the door-step to communicate with the occupants of the interior of
a mansion. Modern genius has elevated it into a source of refined pleasure
and practical humour, affording at the same time employment to the artisan,
excitement to the gentleman, and broken heads and dislocations of every
variety to the police !

We will now proceed to the details of an event which Punch alone is
worthy to record :—

Notice of a meet having been despatched to all the members of the
" Knocker Hunt," a splendid field —no street—met at the Cavendish—the
hotel of the hospitable Marquess. The white damask which covered the
mahogany was dotted here and there with rich and invigorating viands ;
whilst decanters of port and sherry—jugs of Chateau Margaux—bottles of
exhilarating spirits, and boxes of cigars, agreeably diversified the scene.
After a plentiful but orderly discussion of the "creature comforts," (for
all ebullitions at home are strictly prohibited by the Marquess) it was pro-
posed to draw St. James's Square. This suggestion was, however, aban-
doned, as it was reported by Captain Pepperwell, that a party of snobs had
been hunting bell-handles in the same locality, on the preceding night.
Clarges Street was then named; and off we started in that direction, try-
ing the u est end of Jcrmyn Street and Piccadilly in our way ; but, as was
expected, both coverts proved blank. We were almost afraid of the same
result in the Cldiges Street gorse ; for it was not until we arrived at No. 33,
that any one gave tongue. Young Dashover was the first, and clearly and
beautifully came his shrill tone upon the ear, as he exclaimed " Here-th a
knocker—thuch a one, too I" The rush was instantaneous ; and in the
space of a moment one feeling seemed to have taken possession of the whole
pack. A more splendid struggle was never witnessed by the oldest knocker-
hunter [ A more pertinacious piece of cast-iron nevtr contended against

the prowess of the Corinthian ! After a gallant pull of an hour and a half,
" the affair came off," and now graces the club-room of the " Knocker
Hunt."

The pack having been called off, were taken to the kennel in the Ha/-
market, when one young dog, who had run counter at a bell-handle, wa?
found to be missing ; but the gratifying intelligence was soan brought, that
he was safe in the Vine-street station-house.

The various compounds known as champagne, port, sherry, brandy, &e.,
having been very freely distributed, Captain Pepperwell made a proposition
that will so intimately connect his name with that of the immortal Marquess,
that, like the twin-born of Jupiter and Leda, to mention one will be to
imply the other.

Having obtained silence by throwing a quart measure at the waiter, he
wriggled himself into an upright position, and in a voice tremulous from
emotion—perhaps brandy, said—

" Gentlemen of—the Knocker Hunt—there are times when a man can't
make—a speech without con-considerable inconvenience to himself—that's
my case at the present moment—but my admiration for the distinguished
foun—der of the Knocker Hunt—compels me—to stand as well as I can—
and propose, that as soon as we have knockers enough—they be melted
down—by some other respectable founder, and cast into a statue of—the
Marquess of Waterford !"

Deafening were the cheers which greeted the gallant captain ! A meet-
ing of I idies has since been held, at which resolutions were passed for the
furtherance of so desirable an object, and a committee formed for the
selection of a design worthy of the originator of the Knocker Hunt, To
that committee we now appeal.

TO KENRV; MARQUSSfi or WATERronn,
AND HIS JOLLV COMPANIONS I3» I.OTTS,

THIS STATUE OP ACHILLES,
CAST FltOJl KNOCKERS TAKEN' IN THE VICINITIES
OE SACKVII.LE-STREET, VIliO-I.AN'E, AMD WATER LOO-PLACE,
IS INSCRIBED
BY THEIR GENTLEWOMEN.
PLACED ON THIS SPOT
ON' THE FIRST DAY OP APRIL, MDCCCXLII.
BV COMMAND OE
COLON KI, KOWAY.

Mem. The hunt meet again on Monday next, as informanoB as been
received that a splendid knocker occupies the door of Laing's shooting
gallery in the Haymarket.