Gotham

: PLACES AND FAMILIES
: Popular Rhymes And Nursery Tales

Three wise men of Gotham

Went to sea in a bowl;

And if the bowl had been stronger,

My song would have been longer.



Honour to whom honour is due! Mr. Lower will have it that Sussex is the

county of the Gothamites. Gotham is near Pevensey, and many traditionary

anecdotes are still current respecting the stupidity of the people of

that town. On one occasion, the mayor, having received a letter, was

reading it upside down, the messenger very respectfully suggested that

he would sooner arrive at the meaning of its contents by reversing its

position. "Hold your tongue, sir," replied the chief magistrate; "for

while I am mayor of Pemsey, I'll hold the letter which eend uppards I

like!"



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