The Origin of ‘Paul Pry.’

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 451, 5 March 1890, Page 3

The Origin of ‘Paul Pry.’

Tiie origin of ‘ Paul Pry ’ is (the London correspondent of the ‘ Manchester Courier ’ says) not generally known. Mr Toole himself, however, once gave the following account of how he came to write the famous comedy An idle old lady passed so much of her time in watching the affairs of her neighbours that she at length acquired the power of distinguishing the sound of every keocker within hearing. It happened that she fell ill, and was for several days confined to her bed. Unable to observe in person what was going on without, she stationed her maid at the window as a substitute for the performance of that duty. But Betty soon became careless in her reports. ‘ Betty, what are you thinking about ? Don’t you hear a double knock at No. 9 ? Who is it ? ’ ‘ The first floor lodger, ma'am.’ ‘ Betty, Betty, I declare I must give you Warning. Why don’t vou tell me what that knock is at No. s?’ "‘lt’s only the baker with pies, ma’am.’ ‘ Pies ! What can they want with pies at No. 5? They had pies yesterday.’ Of this very point I availed myself. Paul Pry was never intended a 3 the representative of any one individual, but a class. There are many unconscious contributors to the character.