ANTI-SEMITIC SHAKESPEAREAN PARODY
Waterocracy: a tale of fire. A letter to myneer von romp, merchant, rotterdam, from his friend sir david shylock, a. s. s. on his visit to the house of lords to oppose the new gass and water bills at the public expense. Translated from the german, and illustrated with two engravings by peter flint.
Sunderland.
Printed by W. Hollis, 1846.
First edition?.
12mo.
12pp. With two engraved plates. Six loose bifolia. Later paper shelf-label to title page, terminal leaf detached, a trifle dusty.
A rare provincially published verse satire, purportedly 'translated from the German', lambasting the House of Lords over the introduction of two acts for the better supply of water and gas to Sunderland.
The language of the poem, addressed to a merchant in Rotterdam, parodies the stereotypical rhythm of a Dutchman speaking English; further suggesting, were the subject matter not enough, that the composition is original and not a translation. The author, 'Sir David Sherlock A.S.S.', is patently a Shakespearean caricature, and equally an antisemitic portrayal:
'Den Von Tromp, you now shall shee / De noble Warren call'd on me; Dare I felt proud of mine words / To nock all down before de Lords. He said, pray witness who are you? / I'm Shylock still, de nobil Jew, De larchest marshant in de town: / I'm worth ten hundred million poun, I've sheeps on sea, an housh on shore, /An monish in de pank galore'.
COPAC records copies at just two locations (BL and Newcastle); OCLC adds no further.
£ 375.00
Antiquates Ref: 27499
The language of the poem, addressed to a merchant in Rotterdam, parodies the stereotypical rhythm of a Dutchman speaking English; further suggesting, were the subject matter not enough, that the composition is original and not a translation. The author, 'Sir David Sherlock A.S.S.', is patently a Shakespearean caricature, and equally an antisemitic portrayal:
'Den Von Tromp, you now shall shee / De noble Warren call'd on me; Dare I felt proud of mine words / To nock all down before de Lords. He said, pray witness who are you? / I'm Shylock still, de nobil Jew, De larchest marshant in de town: / I'm worth ten hundred million poun, I've sheeps on sea, an housh on shore, /An monish in de pank galore'.
COPAC records copies at just two locations (BL and Newcastle); OCLC adds no further.
