From Smyth-Cholmondoley To MacGregor

Star Prince Charlie.

When I am not blogging, it is because I am having a good time in other ways. Just back from a good day out with more planned this week, including the Viking Festival.

The British Isles present a wealth of nationalities, identities, social classes and regional accents. English humor exaggerates and juxtaposes several recognizable stereotypes. Some American humorists tap into this...

Bertram Cecil Featherstone Smyth-Cholmondoley says:

"'Then pip-pip, old chap...
"'Best we be off now, if we're to make Grushka by nightfall, eh, what? I've studied these jolly old maps of yours.'" (1, p. 13)

- whereas Hector MacGregor says:

"'Hoot, man...are ye awake the noo?
"'Aweel, 'tis time ye waur abed.'" (3, p. 37)

Those who are initiated into Hoka literature will readily understand that Smyth-Cholmondoley and MacGregor are one and the same Hoka:

"'Bertram?...Nay, Hieness, nae Sassenach I, but your ain Hector MacGregor - a rough, untutored Hieland mon, 'tis true, but loyal to my Prince, aye, loyal to the last wee drappie o' bluid. Ah, Charlie, 'tis lang and lang we've awaited your coming, lad.'" (4, p. 41)

Charlie has lost an Oxford tutor and gained a Highland madman. Now all that remains for him to do is to fulfill the prophecy of the returning Prince.

Coincidence Department

"So he took Boy to Cholmondely Street."
-Dornford Yates, As Berry And I Were Saying (London, 1952), p. 137.

We have already had our fill of Cholmondoley although going through the process of spelling it out has made me realize that it is spelt slightly differently.

Boy is driven to Cholmondely Street in London but the image is of Cholmondely Avenue, London, which was the closest that I could find and I have made myself sit up late to post that.

Some Miscellaneous Connections

Star Prince Charlie.

What is there in common between Charles Stuart in Star Prince Charlie and Ivar Frederiksen in The Day Of Their Return?

In his Oxford tutor persona, the Hoka assumes the surname Smyth-Cholmondoley. A Dornford Yates character suggests that "colmondeley" means "beautiful" but I cannot find this word anywhere.

Poul Anderson has a Hotel Universe on the Moon.
Dornford Yates has a Hotel de l'Univers, Esteppemazan.
There is a Hotel de l'Univers, St Malo, also one in Paris.

As I say, miscellaneous points.