356 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



joke was the droll inapplicability of the double 

 meaning to either of the two popular ex- 

 Masters to whom it was addressed. The 

 universal g^roan with which this atrocious 

 liberty with the three names was received, 

 varied with the command, given in a feminine 

 voice, " Go away, you bold, bad man," though 

 powerless to bring the flush of shame to the 

 cheek of that hardened sinner, induced him at 

 least to set spurs to his horse and rapidly get 

 the far side of a particularly awkward " binder " 

 — a remarkable feat for so weighty a follower 

 of the chase as Mr. A — d — s, the culprit in 

 question — there it is to be feared to repeat 

 his offence as often as he could find a listener. 



This play upon names may remind some 

 readers of the startling announcement of the 

 flunky, who at a Foreign Office reception some 

 years ago, gave out in stentorian tones. His 

 Excellency Count Shuffle Off, His Excellency 

 Count Monster, His Excellency Count Beast ! 

 (Schouvaloff, Munster, Beust). Others of our 

 readers, who must, however, alas ! have long 

 ago passed their half century, may remember 

 an incident which occurred in an old Cathedral 

 City of the West. It happened that the butler 

 announced in rapid succession, the names, Mr. 

 Bird, Mr. and Mrs. Bullock, Dr. and Mrs. 

 Bull, Mr. and Mrs. Jay, whereupon, the host's 



