ANECDOTE OF THEODORE HOOK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 58, 8 March 1878, Page 4

ANECDOTE OF THEODORE HOOK.

Strolling one day arm-in-arm with Dani*l Terry, the actor, up a street in Soho, his nostrils Trere assailed by % moat siroury odour. Looking down an area, he sair the servants in the kitcken below dressing up » fine dinner. « A party, no doubt," aaid Tercy. "jolly dogs ! what a feast 1 1 ahould like to make one of them." " I'll take a bet Ido " reptiedHook. "Call for me here at lo'" Leaving his friend, he mounted the steps and knocked at the door. Beliering him to be one of the expected guests, the aerrant conducted him to the drawingroom, where a number of people were already assumbled. Making himself perfectly at home, he had half % dozen people about him, laughing at his bont mots, before the host discorered that a stranger was present. "I beg your oardon. sir, he said, apdressiag the uninvited one, 'Tour name ?— I did not quite catch it • seryanta are so incorrect." "Smith, sir Smith," replied the unblushing Theodore! aont apologise; (you are quite right, sir. servant! are great blockheads. I remember a mo3t remarkable instance of their mw- ? k ? S -" M? at real1 T» «r. M interrupted the hoat mildly, « I did not anticipate the pleasure of Mr Smith's company to dinner. Whom do you suppose you are addresaing ?» "Mr Thompson, of course,' answered Hook, « ;an old friend of my father s. I received a kind invitation from you yesterday, on my arrival from Liverpool, to dine with you to-day, family party, come in boots you said." The host at once disclaimed the name of Thompson or auy knowledge of the vivacious Smith " Good heavens I then I have come to the wrong house," exclaimed the hoaxer ; " my dear air, how can I apologise ? so awkward too, aud ( have asked a friend to call for me." The old gentleman, probably thinking so witty a personage would make an excellent addition to his party, begged him to remain. With a profusion of apologies, Hook at first preteuded to decline -ultimately accepted. Everybody was delighted with him, all the evening he kept rip a constant fire of wit and repartee, aud ultimately sat down to t.ha piano, and sang extempore verses on every one present. Iv the midst of these the door opened, and, true to hi 3 appointment, iv walked Terry, at the sight of whom, striking a new key, he sang :— I'na very much pleased with your fare, Yonr cellar's as fine as your cook; My friend's Mr Terry, the player, And I'm Mr Theodore Hook. And "that name," says Lockhart, " was already enough to put any wig ia Gnildball