Show PERHAPS THE RECORD HOAX was wa that theodore theodor hook perpetrated on an the city authorities of southampton suppose a gent gentleman lemah should arrive at london or berlin from the far north claiming to be one of 0 the discoverers of the long sought pole suppose he Is received with high acclaim Is the subject of unlimited oratory atory oi is the guest of honor at many baji banquets the whole land rings ringa with his praise suppose that a few days later laier ano another ther gentleman arrives freih the far north with the claim that he be he be alone las discovered the coveted pole and the man who has received rec elveI the honors and the banquets has left nothing tor for him although the first comer may prove to be a taker faker and a fraud something very like this did once happen the tha spanish ambassador was expected to arrive at ai southampton Engla A mischievous idea came cama into the head of theodore hook born 1788 died 1841 novelist list and above all contriver of that diversion known as the hoax the english fleet was lying off southampton Sou hampton rook hook then a young man knew aliew many mamy 0 the younger officers lie he formed hla his scheme and one morning a launch set out from the fleet and drew draw up at the quay 0 in this launch was waa he who purported to be the spanish ambassador in almost royal robes arrived ai rived two days before the expected time the mayor of southampton who was was to receive the spanish envoy was greatly flustered it was all so 60 sudden ile ho did the beat he could several companies of soldiers some on toot some mounted were called out the bolls bells were rung the ambassador accompanied by a number of young oung officers of the fleet was escorted with much pomp to the mayors pal palice itee there was a banquet and speech making one of the younger officers acting as a interpreter for or the ambassador after it t was over and the ice spanish envoy was sup suppose to be on hla his way to london the true arrived there was but a vorry forry reception tion for him the other ambassador who was theodore hook having perpetrated pet rated the greatest hoax ever known on a mayor and a ci had exhausted the hospitality of the town the scandal was so eo great the may maiorand mayor orand and the people of southampton tad been so 0 outrageously sold that to make any ally ealr tar about the affair would only cause them to be laughed at the more with the exception of the dismissal of some of the naval off officers leers who had bad taken part in ln it little was done and the affair wig was allowed to blow oyer over indianapolis news |