Gotham
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PLACES AND FAMILIES
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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!"