| You might see a book in the catalogue listed as STACK. These are books which are housed behind the scenes in the Central Library - items that the Library definitely wants to keep, but for some reason (e.g. older condition, or not in as high demand) the open shelf is not the right place for them. Most can be borrowed. Please ask at the enquiries counter on the Second Floor and staff will be happy to retrieve them. This web-page will highlight some of these nearly forgotten treasures, and be updated with a new stack topic every two months. The author's selections and recommendations of these golden oldies are entirely idiosyncratic!
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This selection is definite evidence that humour and recreation is in the eye of the beholder, especially across time.
Librarian's choice
| The complete Limerick book : the origin, history and achievements of the Limerick, with about 350 selected examples, by Langford Reed. (1924). Encyclopedia Britannica quotes this Langford Reed volume in an explanation of how the Irish town came to be associated with this poetry form. When the Irish Brigade returned from fighting in France in the 18th century, they brought with them a convivial song whose chorus commenced with the invitation, "Will you come up to Limerick?" It evolved into a silly, nonsensical form of poetry, in its current rhythm and rhyming pattern. He notes that the old nursery rhymne Hickory dickory dock follows the same pattern, although not beginning "there once was a ...". This he associates with Edward Lear who recounted a rhyme beginning "There was an old man of Tobago" which is also referred to by Dickens in Our Mutual Friend. |
Yours for decency : the campaign to clothe animals, by Alan Abel. (1966)
"There never really was a Society for Indecency to Naked Animals. But for 6 years thousands of people, among them experienced reporters and radio and television interviewers believed that a society existed with the object of clothing all animals for the sake of decency. This classic hoax started in 1959..." (flyleaf)
The tour of Doctor Syntax in search of the picturesque, by William Combe. (Reference only)
This was published in The Poetical Magazine in 1809 and onwards, before appearing as a separate volume. Its popularity was immediate and very great. The figure of the lean curate and schoolmaster in his scratch wig and his rusty black suit, with his long nose and chin, caught the public fancy; and, doubtless, the device of representing him as a man of learning and of some dignity added to the fun of the ridiculous mishaps into which he fell. Feeling the pinch of poverty, the reverend doctor announces to his busy and shrewish wife that, while his pupils are at home for the summer holidays, he intends to make a tour. He falls among robbers; he is pursued by a bull; he mistakes a gentleman's house for an inn; he falls, more than once, into mud or water; he is robbed at a race-meeting; and other amusing troubles. (drawn from The Cambridge History of English and American Literature).
The Comic Almanack : an ephemeris in jest and earnest, containing merry tales, humourous poetry, quips and oddities, by George Cruikshank. (circa 1844)
Each contribution is a page or less with copious illustrations. Cruikshank was a prolific caricaturist, largely concentrating on political subjects although he did complete illustrations for some of Dickens' books. It seems appropriate to regard this series as a predecessor to Punch.
The 'zodiac' for April 1846 reads "Be very cautious on the 1st, of attending to gratuitous advice given in the street, respecting your pocket-handkerchief, straps or coat-tails. Mistrust everything and everybody until mid-night, if you would escape being laughed at. The month of April is showery, therefore get an umbrella...."
Heroes & heroines, by Eleanor and Herbert Farjeon. (1933).
The lives of legendary figures throughout history are truncated somewhat irreverently in a page of poetry each. Here are two examples :
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, pride of Rome,
Made the battlefield his home ;
First he fought, and then he went,
And wrote about it in his tent....
George Washington
When little George was quite a child
He found a little hatchet
And chopped with glee a cherry-tree
In order to dispatch it....
A History of New Zealand humour, compiled by Gordon McLauchlan. (1989).
In her A History of New Zealand Fiction (1939), E.M. Smith wrote: 'Of humour, except the unconscious variety, there is almost none...' . McLauchlan's research concurs with this view in his introduction which seeks to discuss the historical perspective of New Zealand humour and its substance. His selections are drawn from Katherine Mansfield, Robin Hyde, A.R.D. Fairburn, Murray Ball, Tom Scott, Fred Dagg and others.
Humour of the Scot, 'Neath Northern Lights and Southern Cross, by James Inglis. (1894).
The Penuin John Lennon, with illustrations by the author. (1966).
 "He's called 'Perchance' after Byron's dog - 'Perchance my dog will howl'". | The new Punch Library, (several volumes). This example is volume 17 of the series, entitled Mr Punch and Toby's friends. "The literary and artistic contributions in this volume are the work of men not only gifted in their various ways and in the front rank of funmakers, but having intimate knowledge of, and sympathy with, their four-footed subjects." Other volume titles include Mr Punch and the Arts, Mr Punch's Theatricals, Mr Punch on the links, and Round the year with Mr Punch. |
The wild garland : Epigrams, selected and arranged by Isaac Reeve. (1866).
There is a detailed index to aid the searcher which is unusually for these early miscellany. Here is an example :
To the Gas Company
Our morals as well as appearance must show
What praise to your labours and science we owe
Our streets and our manners you've equally brightenend
Our city's less wick-ed and much more enlightened.
The table-talk of John Selden, by Selden, with Arthur Warwick. (1689, 1890).
English jurist, orientalist, and legal historian, he has been referred to as the father of English legal history and a distinguished antiquarian. He was an eminent lawyer and in Parliament took an active part against the Crown until 1649, when he withdrew from public affairs on the principle that 'The wisest way for men in these times is to say nothing.'
His History of Tythes (1618) gave offence to the clergy and was suppressed by public authority. His Table Talk, containing reports of his utterances from time to time during the last 20 years of his life, was composed by his secretary Richard Milward. (drawn from the Oxford Companion to English Literature)
The battle of the books and Directions to Servants, by Dean Swift. (1907).
Of more interest to the 21st century reader is the second satirical half. There are separate lists for each of the main household positions such as cook, butler, coachman etc.
Here are some examples :
"When you find that you cannot get the dinner ready at the time appointed, put the clock back, and then it will be ready to a minute...
To save time, cut your apples and onions with the same knife; well bred gentry love the taste of an onion in everything they eat.
In order to learn the secrets of other families, tell them those of your masters; thus you will grow a favourite both at home and abroad, and be regarded as a person of importance.
Always wear your hat in the house, but when your master calls; as soon as you come into his presence, pull it off to show your manners.
When you wash any of the rooms toward the street, throw the foul water out of the street door; but be sure not to look before you, for fear those on whom the water lights might think you uncivil and that you did it on purpose.
Brighter Blackout Book, by Howard Thomas. (1939).
This aims to have "snatch reading" appeal - as a popular newspaper but giving many hours of escape. There are short stories, book excerpts and reviews, quizzes and puzzles, pen and paper, and parlour games, words for singalongs, and trivia lists.
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Please don't hesitate to contact the author if you wish to share your comments and views on these or any other stack book, or view previous editions. Happy delving!
