MAYHEW ON THE CARE OF PUGS - "YOU OUGHT TO KEEP A PUG FAT" MAYHEW (Augustus Septimus, 1826-1875, Journalist and Author, he wrote in collaboration with his brother Henry)

Autograph Letter Signed "Gus" to 'Dear Em', Mrs Horace Mayhew (his sister in law, wife of his brother Horace MAYHEW, 1816-1872, Journalist and sub-editor of Punch) saying that he had "started off twice to visit you (or rather I have hobbled off) but each time the rain has washed me back again. How much more water do the cisterns of Heaven contain? Has the leaden cloud above been fitted up for a huge shower bath. I went out last night to sup with a friend & the storm surrounded me and sent me home with legs as wet as a ducks. Now I have rheumatism, & knees I am ashamed to own. We fed our little fellows on biscuits soaked in gravy, & meat - not much, but just a comforting quantity. You ought to keep a pug fat. He ought to look like a swell, body-wise & in behaviour. Round, glossy & impudent. The pieces off your plate & bread & gravy should be enough. They must have a little meat to raise their spirits. Also they (or he - yours) should sleep warm, that his skin may keep its polish with a new hat gloss. Our younkers sleep in a tub & keep each other cosy. I'll struggle, the moment the sun honours us with a visit, to limp over to you ...", with a postscript of a menu "taken down from Mrs Aug Mayhew's kind dictation. Biscuits broken up & soaked (sopped) in gravy & added to chopped meat, three times a day, enough to crowd a good sized cheese plate. Any bones to play with, or odds and ends, besides Pugs are hungry eaters & stow away large quantities, hence none but the rich and noble can afford to keep them. Keep him well, let him sleep warm & give him exercise - then, he will never have distemper or any other ailment. He will be strong, healthy & witty, charming you with his antics & winning your love by his affection at once a glory & a comfort ...", 4 sides 8vo., 7 Montpelier Row, Twickenham, 9th June

He wrote in collaboration with his brother Henry such works as The Greatest Plague of Life, or the Adventures of a Lady in Search of a Good Servant(1847, illustrated by George Cruikshank), and he joined H. S. Edwards in the production of such farces as The Goose and the Golden Egg.

Item Date:  1872

Stock No:  41721      £275

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