The Itinerant, or Memoirs of an Actor. In three volumes. By S.W. Ryley
Author Details
Surname:Ryley
First Names:Samuel William
Gender:Male
Anonymous:No
Publication Details
Publisher:Printed for Taylor and Hessey, 93, Fleet Street.
Place:London
Date:1808
Novel Details
Genre:Autobiography/memoirs; biography; humour; satirical; travel
Setting:London; theatres; Saddleworth; Chester; Yorkshire; Oldham; Isle of Man; Liverpool; Manchester; Buxton; Worcester; Wales; Scotland
Period:Contemporary
Plot
The novel follows the life and times of an actor written from 'notes and memoirs'. It is quite an amusing account of the son of a London grocer who takes to the stage, travelling widely around UK both as an actor and as a manger of a repertory company. He meets lots of interesting characters, and much of the text is devoted to anecdotes. Much of vol 2 is the (probably) fictional biography of Charles Camelford, a wealthy nobleman who lives a peculiarly renegade gypsy life in Robin Hood fashion.
Overview of the Dialect
Lots of social, regional, and satirical varieties. Also, some (possibly) Cockney Rhyming slang.
Speaker #1:Christopher - Servant
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:'the honest Black'
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - young
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Servant
Social Role Category:Servant
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Unspecified
Place of Origin Category:Unspecified
Speakers: All , Christopher
Christopher now began to be more articulate: "You kill a poor ass, you dam rogue!âand, if my massa and missy vill let a me , me vill teach a you to call me a Belzebub."
(Vol. 1,p. 21)Speakers: All , Christopher
"Vy, sir, about two mile off, I found de poor old dog had gone as long as he could; for he lie down , wag his tail , and look at me. I den get off de horseâfor he not carry us bothâtook him on my back, and he has lick a my face all de vay , to tank me."
(Vol. 1,p. 39)Speakers: All , Christopher
"Dear Sir, vat de matter? vere be de chay ? broke ! ah! me tought de old ting never carry usâare you hurt, Sir?"
(Vol. 1,p. 46)Speaker #2:Group of drinkers in Inn - Drinkers
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Group of drinkers in Inn
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Drinkers
Social Role Category:Unspecified
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Yorkshire (assumed, but not specified in text)
Place of Origin Category:Yorkshire, North England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
"No, no," replied the stranger, "I don't like Yorkshire fighting; hugging, biting, and kicking, does not suit me; but I have a friend without, who is used to them there things; if you like I'll fetch him in."
"Aye, aye, dom him, fot him in, I'll fight ony mon ith' country." The Belward repair'd to the pigsty, and brought forth Bruin, who, from a large siz'd quadruped, was chang'd instantly to a most tremendous biped. In this erect posture, he enter'd the house, and as it was now nearly dark, the intoxicated countryman was the more easily impos'd uponâ " Dom thee," he said, " I'll fight a better mon nor thee, either up or down," and made an attempt to seize him round the middle, but feeling the roughness of his hide, he exclaim'dâ "come come, I'll tak no advantage, poo off thy top coat, and I'll fight thee for a crown."
(Vol. 1,p. 98)"Aye, aye, dom him, fot him in, I'll fight ony mon ith' country." The Belward repair'd to the pigsty, and brought forth Bruin, who, from a large siz'd quadruped, was chang'd instantly to a most tremendous biped. In this erect posture, he enter'd the house, and as it was now nearly dark, the intoxicated countryman was the more easily impos'd uponâ " Dom thee," he said, " I'll fight a better mon nor thee, either up or down," and made an attempt to seize him round the middle, but feeling the roughness of his hide, he exclaim'dâ "come come, I'll tak no advantage, poo off thy top coat, and I'll fight thee for a crown."
Speaker #3:French dancing master - Dancing tutor
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:French dancing master
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Grammar, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Dancing tutor
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:France
Place of Origin Category:France
Speakers: All , French dancing master
"If de gentilhomme vill sitty down, he no hinder de lady for to see. "
(Vol. 1,p. 101)Speaker #4:Old soldier - Beggar
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Old soldier
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - elderly
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Beggar
Social Role Category:Destitute poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Unspecified, but presumably England
Place of Origin Category:England
Speakers: All , Old soldier
"Twenty-four years I served under the brave Captain Howard, in the 5th regiment of foot, and a better gemman âGod rest his soulânever livedâthe last six years of his life, he took me into his house as a kind of valedy sham ; he had no family except Bibo, a Newfoundland dog, which he lov'd like a child; for when the noble captain served abroad, he once fell overboard, and Bibo saved his life.
(Vol. 1,p. 108)Speaker #5:Waiter - Waiter
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Waiter
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Waiter
Social Role Category:Servant
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:London
Place of Origin Category:London, South East England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Metalanguage
"A very black business, indeed," said the petty officer, "I thought you smarted enough last time you were here before me--twenty quid , I've a notion, would make a hole in your pocket now, and we cann't let you off for less. It's surprisable you should not take warning-- these here women will bring you to the gallows, one day, depend upon't--remember I tell you so. Let me see--aye! this is the fourth time you've been here."
[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout. I mistook you for one of these here box loungers, and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
(Vol. 2,p. 118-19)[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout. I mistook you for one of these here box loungers, and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"A very black business, indeed," said the petty officer, "I thought you smarted enough last time you were here before me--twenty quid , I've a notion, would make a hole in your pocket now, and we cann't let you off for less. It's surprisable you should not take warning-- these here women will bring you to the gallows, one day, depend upon't- -remember I tell you so. Let me see-- aye! this is the fourth time you've been here."
[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout . I mistook you for one of these here box loungers , and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog 's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
(Vol. 2,p. 118-19)[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout . I mistook you for one of these here box loungers , and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog 's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
Speaker #6:Petty officer - Police constable
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Petty officer
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Police constable
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:London (assumed, although not specified in text)
Place of Origin Category:London, South East England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Metalanguage
"A very black business, indeed," said the petty officer, "I thought you smarted enough last time you were here before me--twenty quid , I've a notion, would make a hole in your pocket now, and we cann't let you off for less. It's surprisable you should not take warning-- these here women will bring you to the gallows, one day, depend upon't--remember I tell you so. Let me see--aye! this is the fourth time you've been here."
[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout. I mistook you for one of these here box loungers, and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
(Vol. 2,p. 118-19)[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout. I mistook you for one of these here box loungers, and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"A very black business, indeed," said the petty officer, "I thought you smarted enough last time you were here before me--twenty quid , I've a notion, would make a hole in your pocket now, and we cann't let you off for less. It's surprisable you should not take warning-- these here women will bring you to the gallows, one day, depend upon't- -remember I tell you so. Let me see-- aye! this is the fourth time you've been here."
[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout . I mistook you for one of these here box loungers , and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog 's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
(Vol. 2,p. 118-19)[some narrative omitted]
The constable and waiter now held a whispering parley, after which the former said "Sir, you speak in surprisable manner, and like an honest man. As to this here woman, she's not of no consequence, she's one of our terrible Marys , and generally comes here once or twice a week; but I'll not be queer'd by her this bout . I mistook you for one of these here box loungers , and it's quite unpossible to be up to their rigs . So Sir, as I've another set waiting, and as it's my dooty to derange all disputes, give my clerk five hog , and the waiter a quid , and you are at liberty."
"I must candidly acknowledge my ignorance," replied Camelford, "your speech is not exactly what I understand; but as most likely it relates to money, I honestly own I have none; but if the waiter will accompany me to the Bull and Mouth, he shall cheerfully be paid what you award; but first have the goodness to explain the hog and quid, I should, from my own circumscribed knowledge, conceive they related to pigs and tobacco."
Here was a general laugh, accompanied with a look of contempt at his ignorance. "Where was you born, master?" said the constable:-- "Not within the sound of Bow Bells, I'll be sworn," replied the waiter; "why, Sir, a hog 's a shilling, and a quid is one pound one."
Speaker #7:Riggs - Travelling theatre manager
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Theatre manager
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Travelling theatre manager
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Unspecified
Place of Origin Category:Unspecified
"I hope your worship will pardon my sublime ignorance, in breaking upon you, in this spontaneous kind of a way, but as there was no sarvent about I thought as how there could be no great harm in introdoosing myself, being as a body may say , in a kind of a hurry; this here bit of a letter will incense your honor of the business I come about, being from parson Rosey of Honiton, who of his great kindness, has recommended me as a more properer person than Davis, being as how my company can do plays in a more spontaneous way than he can."
(Vol. 2,p. 312)I shall never forget his first exit . He should have said, "Do not be too hard upon your old friend's son; I do not like to see prudence cling around the green saplings of youth; 'tis like ivy round the oak, and spoils the growth of the tree." But Riggs chose to introduce a new reading; he pull'd Sir Peter by the coat, as they were going off, and said, "Don't be so down upon your old friend's son; I don't like to see these here things; it clings round the saplings of green ivory in youth, but it spoils the tree."
(Vol. 3,p. 11-12)Speaker #8:Jew - Unspecified - 'little jew-looking figure'
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Jew
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Unspecified - 'little jew-looking figure'
Social Role Category:Unspecified
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Jewish
Place of Origin Category:Jewish
"I say, my Duchess , you sack'd the strangers rarely abroad, ven you nabb'd their flesh bags , and nim'd their tick tacks : but how vent you on with the mounseers ? naked vork , hey? not much of the rhino there I'se a notion."
(Vol. 2,p. 324)Speaker #9:George - Manservant, formerly groom
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Faithful servant
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Manservant, formerly groom
Social Role Category:Servant
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Oldham, Lancashire
Place of Origin Category:Oldham, Lancashire, North England, England
One night after a bad house, George observed in his broad dialect , " Mester , tese new beesoms dunna sweep vary clean!"
(Vol. 3,p. 129)Extract #2 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Thus equipp'd, the poor fellow look'd revived, and younger in appearance by many years. "But what mun I do wi' th' ass maister ? mun I send him whom , or winnot he sarve to carry these papper gimcracks on with?"
(Vol. 3,p. 116)Extract #3 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"As sure as there's a providence above mester , I thout summut would happen, for 'th rawm where I lee , one o' theme tick-tacks wur at it, awth neet o'er , and when I geet up tis mornin , summut had turned th' lant mug, bothum upert . Way , mistress, yo may laigh , but though I hanna faith to move mountains, maybe I've enough to move a moudewart hillock, and that's better nor none. But now I'll tell you about tis gang.
As I wur giving out yore pappers , one on 'em comes up, and gets me by th' hond ; I, thinking it wur sumbody fro tort our country, for he looked plaguey like an Oudham ruff yead , gav him a hearty shak , and said "how arta lad?"--"Thou mun go wi' me," said he, " ney , ney ," said I, "thou mun excuse me tis toim , when I livert my pappers , olst go wi' thee for an odd point ." By this, eight or ten moor , with oichun a beesom stele in his hond , comes rawnd , and taking me by th' arm, hurried me off, I did na know where, and ith the scuffle th' pappers wur aw trodden to bits. I toud 'em yoden flite if I did na goa whom , but, like unmannerly hounds as they are, they sedden " yo mit kiss their -------;" and becose I did na goa fast enuff for 'em , they probb'd my hinder end wi' their sticks. At last, they put me up in a durty rawm , with another poor felly , who looked as dismal as if he wur gooink to th' gallows. I conna think mester how these imps of the divil can sleep i' their beds, for would yo think it, that poor cratur wur ho just rived fro a two years voyage, his woif an six childer wur looking aut for him, when they seeuzd him ith very seet of his famully , an aw their cries and wailings would do nout . The warmest spot ith infernal pit will be too cowd for these varment But abaut mysel , I conno help saying, I wished I wur o' Grinacres moor, or at Botham o' one o' mester Leesus coal pits, or ony where abaut whom ; becose you seen , I cud a croppen out o' there, but here I wur as fast as a thief in a mill.
(Vol. 3,p. 140-42)As I wur giving out yore pappers , one on 'em comes up, and gets me by th' hond ; I, thinking it wur sumbody fro tort our country, for he looked plaguey like an Oudham ruff yead , gav him a hearty shak , and said "how arta lad?"--"Thou mun go wi' me," said he, " ney , ney ," said I, "thou mun excuse me tis toim , when I livert my pappers , olst go wi' thee for an odd point ." By this, eight or ten moor , with oichun a beesom stele in his hond , comes rawnd , and taking me by th' arm, hurried me off, I did na know where, and ith the scuffle th' pappers wur aw trodden to bits. I toud 'em yoden flite if I did na goa whom , but, like unmannerly hounds as they are, they sedden " yo mit kiss their -------;" and becose I did na goa fast enuff for 'em , they probb'd my hinder end wi' their sticks. At last, they put me up in a durty rawm , with another poor felly , who looked as dismal as if he wur gooink to th' gallows. I conna think mester how these imps of the divil can sleep i' their beds, for would yo think it, that poor cratur wur ho just rived fro a two years voyage, his woif an six childer wur looking aut for him, when they seeuzd him ith very seet of his famully , an aw their cries and wailings would do nout . The warmest spot ith infernal pit will be too cowd for these varment But abaut mysel , I conno help saying, I wished I wur o' Grinacres moor, or at Botham o' one o' mester Leesus coal pits, or ony where abaut whom ; becose you seen , I cud a croppen out o' there, but here I wur as fast as a thief in a mill.
Extract #4 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" Meester don yo believe i' ghosts? bugh whether yo dun , or naw , I've seen summut i' yon pleck , ut dunna belong to tis ward . Ive hard foke tell o' seeink their relations after they wurn dead, but tese are no kin o' mine--our famully wur farrantlyer foke --they mun be akin toth' devil, for there wur never nout upo th' yurth sa faw , as yon oud craturs --do mester let's be creepink toart whom , for I dunno think weer upo' Christian graund . "
(Vol. 3,p. 154)Speaker #10:Colliers - Colliers
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Colliers
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling
Social Role
Social Role Description:Colliers
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Bristol
Place of Origin Category:Bristol, South West England, England
Whilst plunged in this state of darkness, John Wesley paid them a visit, and addressing a middle aged man, who was drawing hods of coal from one situation to another, "Pray, friend, do you know anything of Jesus Christ?"
"Of who?" said the boor, scratching his head.
"I say, friend, do you know anything of Jesus Christ?"
Instead of giving a direct answer, he call'd out to another man, "John do'st thee knaw anything of one Jesus Chroist ?"
"Jesus Chroist !" replied the other, "is he a pit mun , or a hod mun ?"
(Vol. 3,p. 105)"Of who?" said the boor, scratching his head.
"I say, friend, do you know anything of Jesus Christ?"
Instead of giving a direct answer, he call'd out to another man, "John do'st thee knaw anything of one Jesus Chroist ?"
"Jesus Chroist !" replied the other, "is he a pit mun , or a hod mun ?"
Speaker #11:Mr Romney - Actor / manager
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:The narrator / actor
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:1st person
Role:Central
Dialect Features:Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Actor / manager
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Born in North England, but moved around from childhood
Place of Origin Category:North England, England
Extract #1 dialect features: Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
On the morning of my last exhibition, as I stood at the theatre door, and old woman stopp'd to read the bill, and seeing "New Brooms" in large characters, said "What dun you sell 'em a piece ?" Perceiving her mistake, I informed her "it was an exhibition." "Oh," replied she, in the true Lancashire dialect, "what it's a shew , is it? Iv'e oft seen a flower shew , but never hard o' beesom shews before."
(Vol. 3,p. 120)One night after a bad house, George observed in his broad dialect , " Mester , tese new beesoms dunna sweep vary clean!"
(Vol. 3,p. 129)