No.18

Do you remember this cartoon character? This is Lord Marmaduke of Bunkerton, better known as Lord Snooty. He appeared in the first issue of The Beano on 30th July 1938, and was the longest running strip in the comic until Dennis the Menace and Gnasher overtook it. Of course, he was always recognised by his shiny top hat!

Top hats are still worn at some society events in the UK, notably at more formal church weddings and race meetings attended by royalty. They are still part of the uniform of certain British institutions, such as Eton College and the boy-choristers of King's College Choir. In show business, it's an important part of the magician's gear; without a top hat, how would he produce a rabbit?

Top hats were worn by men throughout the 19th and the early 20th centuries. There had been quite a bit of opposition to them in the beginning, but this disappeared when Prince Albert set the fashion around 1850. By the end of the First World War, they had almost died out, although in Scotland in the 1930s many of the clergy still wore them on Sundays and at funerals and weddings.

One of our daughters, when in her late teens, acquired one and used to wear it when out with her friends. However, one evening in Glasgow someone grabbed it off her head and escaped with her prized possession.

And you may remember this photo. I've shown it before in different blogs. Yes, that's me with my uncle's topper. He was a Baptist minister.

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Her Father
by Thomas Hardy

I met her, as we had privily planned,
Where passing feet beat busily:
She whispered: "Father is at hand!
He wished to walk with me."

His presence as he joined us there
Banished our words of warmth away;
We felt, with cloudings of despair,
What Love must lose that day.

Her crimson lips remained unkissed,
Our fingers kept no tender hold,
His lack of feeling made the tryst
Embarrassed, stiff, and cold.

A cynic ghost then rose and said,
"But is his love for her so small
That, nigh to yours, it may be read
As of no worth at all?

"You love her for her pink and white;
But what when their fresh splendours close?
His love will last her in despite
Of Time, and wrack, and foes."

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It's Never To Late To Fall In Love
(Song from The Boy Friend, Book, Music and Lyrics by Sandy Wilson)

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AYE HAUD ON
By a Kirkintilloch weaver Peter Sharp who died in 1886

*Aye haud on, and thankfu’ be,
Though little be your store;
And labour on +wi’ eydent haun’
To mak’ that little more.

Discontent will break the heart,
And tak’ the strength awa’,
But cheerfulness sustains us aye,
And mak’s our labour sma’.

*lit. always hold on: keep persevering

+with a diligent hand

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"I've heard of a Caged Bird but never a Caged Dog. Is that fair, little girl?"

Next post - Monday

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