Charles Mathews, I can merely allude. His memory has received
full honor and homage from his wife; but there are few who knew him who
will hesitate to indorse her testimony to his many excellences of head
and heart.

Among leading contributors to the "New Monthly," both before and after
the advent of Mr. Hook, was John Poole, the author of "Little
Pedlington," "Paul Pry," and many other pleasant works, not witty, but
full of true humor. He was, when in his prime, a pleasant companion,
though nervously sensitive, and, like most professional jokers,
exceedingly irritable whenever a joke was made to tell against himself.
It is among my memories, that, during the first month of my editorship
of the "New Monthly," I took from a mass of submitted manuscripts one
written in a small, neat hand, entitled "A New Guide-Book." I had read
it nearly half through, and was about to fling it with contempt among
"the rejected" before I discovered its point. I had perused it so far as
an attempt to describe an actual watering-place, and to bring it into
notoriety. When, however, I did discover the real purpose of the writer,
my delight was large in proportion. The manuscript was the first part of
"Little Pedlington," which subsequently grew into a book.

It is, and was at the time, generally believed that Tom Hill suggested
the character of Paul Pry. Poole never would admit this. In a sort of
rambling autobiography which he wrote to accompany his portrait in the
"New Monthly," he thus gives the origin of the play.

"The idea of the character of Paul Pry was suggested to me by the
following anecdote, related to me several years ago by a beloved friend.
An idle old lady, living in a narrow street, had passed so much of her
time in watching the affairs of her neighbors, that she at length
acquired the power of distinguishing the sound of every knocker 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 grew weary of that occupation; she became
careless in her reports, impatient and tetchy when reprimanded for her
negligence.

"'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 you tell me
what that knock