Re: Tom Gag
Bob Lines (boblines@ODYSSEY.APANA.ORG.AU)
Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:57:45 +0800
Charles Dickens wrote:
>
> My dear Mr Lines,
>
> "Tom Gag" betokeneth a witty and facetious fellow. Or it did for me in
> the 1840s, much as "Mr Clever" or "wise guy" do for many today. Jonas
> prides himself on his shrewdness and impenetrability, but Montague and his
> cronies are too much for him. They deceive him, tease him, and amuse
> themselves with false flattery of him. Offered more wine, Jonas responds
> ploddingly: "As much of that, as you like! It's too good to refuse." This
> immediately yields an insincere chorus of praise for his eloquence: "Well
> said, Mr Chuzzlewit!" from Wolf; ""Tom Gag, upon my soul!" from Pip;
> "Positively, you know, that's - ha, ha, ha! . . . - that's epigramitic,
> quite!" from the doctor.
> "Gag" was a term used by actors in my day, for extempore departures from
> the script. I made Mr Pip, recollect, a theatrical man. Tom Gag was the
> fictitious personification of witty extemporisation.
>
> Faithfully yours,
>
> Charles Dickens
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> ________
>
> >Dear Mr. Dickens
> >
> >I have sought the answer to my question in various places; in the
> >library, in the classroom, and on the net - and none can supply the
> >answer. Chapter 28 - I think - of Martin Chuzzlewit. Jonas is being
> >entertained by Wolf, Pip and Montague; Mr Pip Exclaims "Tom Gag, upon my
> >soul." Pray, Mr. Dickens, who or what was Tom Gag?
> >
> >One of your fondest devotees.
> >
> >Bob
> >
> >
>
> ======================
> Charles Dickens
> charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
> Author
Oh, Mr. Dickens - what would we do without you? Thank you so much for
your prompt reply. I may quote you , of course?
Kind regards
Bob