unearths some literary gems.
Bits from John Madison Morton:
***
BUNNY. You, Jonathan, will respond to the double-knocks, and announce the respective guests as they enter the drawing room—thus, (announcing) Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so; rather slow and very plain.
JONATH. (imitating) “Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so; rather slow and very plain.” All right, sir. (going)
[And, as recently discussed in the Huberman book, this device can be called "parrot talk."]
***
[Doing the math on cousins.]
ARABELLA. I’ve got three orders for the theatre to-night, will you come? My cousin, Mr. Luke Sharp, has volunteered to escort us.
PHŒBE. (aside) Another cousin! that makes the thirty-seventh that I know of. (aloud) Much obliged, but I’m engaged—I’m going to Mr. Bunny’s ball.
ARABEL. Well, if you won’t come with us, I’ll say good-bye—Oh, stop! do step down a minute, there’s a good girl, and tell me if my new pork pie suits me.
PHŒBE. Pork pie?
ARABEL. Yes—my hat; it’s a present from Cousin Benjamin.
PHŒBE. (aside) Thirty-eight!
ARABEL. Do oblige me, there’s a dear. And, Phœbe——
PHŒBE. Well!
ARABEL. I am so puzzled which gown to put on; I know I look best in my peach blossom silk that cousin George gave me; and yet I ought to wear my light blue satin, for cousin Frederick’s sake.
PHŒBE. (aside) Forty!
***
TRIPTOLEMUS: I soon found myself at the abode of my aforesaid uncle Cockletop, who, on my taking a chair on a Cheshire cheese, at once informed me that his motive in telegraphing for me, was to unite me in the bonds of wedlock with a certain Miss Caroline Bunny; his words literally transfixed me to my chair—my cheese I mean.
***
[And some character names (grouped by play).]
Dr. Jacobus Jogtrot, Mr. Christopher Chirper
Major Pelican, Dr. Vicessimus Prettywell, Sir Marmaduke Mangle [an offstage character]
Sir Fritterley, Colonel Cosey
Mr. Felix Toddle
John Shyly, Selina Sliway
Mr. Nathaniel Snoozle
