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This will prevent the Ngram picking up on irrelevant HTML. Our correspondent, the Raven in the Happy Family, suggested in these pages, not long ago, the propriety of a meeting being held, to settle the preliminary arrangements for erecting an equestrian statue to the Hippopotamus. We are happy to have received some exclusive information on this interesting subject, and to be authorised to lay it before our readers. It appears that MR. HAMET SAFI CANNANA, the Arabian gentleman who acts as Secretary to H. R. H. (His Rolling Hulk) the Hippopotamus, has been, for some time, reflecting that he is under great obligations to that distinguished creature. MR. HAMET SAFI CANNANA (who is remarkable for candour) has not hesitated to say that, but for his accidental public connexion with H. E. H., he MR. CANNANA would no doubt have remained to the end of his days an obscure individual, perfectly unknown to fame, and possessing no sort of claim on the public attention. H. E. H. having been the means of getting MR. CANNANA’S name into print on several occasions, and having afforded Mr. CANNANA various opportunities of plunging into the newspapers, MR. CANNANA has felt himself under a debt of gratitude to H. R. H., requiring some public acknowledgment and return. MR. CANNANA, after much consideration, has been able to think of no return, at once so notorious and so cheap, as a monument to H. R. H., to be erected at the public expense. “We cannot positively state that MR. CANNANA founded this idea on our Correspondent’s suggestion for, indeed, we have reason to believe that he promulgated it before our Correspondent’s essay appeared but, we trust it is not claiming too much for the authority of our Correspondent to hope that it may have confirmed MR. CANNANA in a very noble, a very sensible, a very spirited, undertaking. We proceed to record its history, as far as it has yet gone. HAMET SAFI CANNANA, having conceived the vast original idea of erecting a Public Monument to H. R. H., set himself to consider next, by what adjective H. R. H. could be most attractively distinguished in the advertisements of that Monument. After much painful and profound cogitation, MR. CANNANA was suddenly inspired with the wonderful thought of calling him the “Good” Hippopotamus! This is so obviously an inspiration, a fancy reserved, through all the previous ages of the world, for this extraordinary genius, that we have been at some pains to trace it, if possible, to its source. But, as usually happens in such cases, MR. CANNANA can give no account of the process by which he arrived at the result. MR. CANNANA’S description of himself, rendered into English, would be, that he was “bothered;” that he had thought of a number of adjectives, as, the oily Hippopotamus, the bland Hippopotamus, the bathing Hippopotamus, the expensive Hippopotamus, the valiant Hippopotamus, the sleepy Hippopotamus, when, in a moment, as it were in the space of a flash of lightning, he found he had written down, without knowing why or wherefore, and without being at all able to account for it, those enduring words, the “Good” Hippopotamus. Having got the phrase down, in black and white, for speedy publication, the next step was to explain it to an unimaginative public. This process, MR. CANNANA can describe. He relates, that when he came to consider the vast quantities of milk of which the Hippopotamus partook, his amazing consumption on meal, his unctuous appetite for dates, his jog-trot manner of going, his majestic power of sleep, he felt that all these qualities pointed him out emphatically, as the “Good” Hippopotamus. He never howled, like the Hyena; he never roared, like the Lion; he never screeched, like the Parrot; he never damaged the tops of high trees, like the Giraffe; he never put a trunk in people’s way, like the Elephant; he never hugged anybody, like the Bear; he never projected a forked tongue, like the Serpent. He was an easy, basking, jolly, slow, inoffensive, eating and drinking Hippopotamus. Therefore he was, supremely, the “Good” Hippopotamus. When MR. CANNANA observed the subject from a closer point of view, he began to find that H. E. H. was not only the “Good,” but a Benefactor to the whole human race. He toiled not, neither did he spin, truly – but he bathed in cool water when the weather was hot, he slept when he came out of the bath; and he bathed and slept, serenely, for the public gratification. People, of all ages and conditions, rushed to see him bathe, and sleep, and feed; and H. R. H. had no objection. As H. R. H. lay luxuriously winking at the striving public, one warm summer day, MR. CANNANA distinctly perceived that the whole of H. R. H.’s time and energy was devoted to the service of that public. MR. CANNANA’S eye, wandering round the hall, and observing, there assembled, a number of persons labouring under the terrible disorder of having nothing particular to do, and too much time to do it in, moistened, as he reflected that the whole of H. R. H.’s life, ‘in giving them some temporary excitement, was an act of charity; was “devoted” (MR. CANNANA has since printed these words) “to the protection and affectionate care of the sick and the afflicted.” He perceived, upon the instant, that H. R. H. was a Hippopotamus of “unsurpassed worth,” and he drew up an advertisement so describing him. CANNANA, having brought his project thus far on its road to posterity, without stumbling over any obstacle in the way, now considered it expedient to impart the great design to some other person or persons who would go hand in hand with him. He concluded (having some knowledge of the world) that those who had lifted themselves into any degree of notoriety by means of H. R. H., would be the most likely (but only as best knowing him) to possess a knowledge of his unsurpassed worth. It is an instance of MR. CANNANA’s sagacity, that he communicated with the Milkman who supplies the Zoological Gardens. The Milkman immediately put down his name for ten pounds, his wife’s for five pounds, and each of their twin children for two pounds ten. He added, in a spirited letter, addressed to MR. CANNANA, and a copy of which is now before us, “You may rely on my assistance in any way, or in every way, that may be useful to your patriotic project, of erecting a Monument to the ‘Good’ Hippopotamus. We have not Monuments enough. We want more. H. R. H.’s consumption of milk has far exceeded, from the first moment of his unwearied devotion of himself to the happiness of Mankind, any animal’s with which I am acquainted; and that nature must be base indeed, that would not vibrate to your appeal.” Emboldened by this sympathy, MR. CANNANA next addressed himself to the Mealman, who replied, “This is as it should be,” and enclosed a subscription of seven pounds ten with a request that it might be stated in the published list that the number of his house was ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR B, at the right-hand corner of High Street and Blue Lion Street, and that it had no connexion with any similar establishments in the same neighbourhood, which were all impositions. CANNANA now proceeded to form a Committee. The Milkman and the Mealman both consented to serve. Also the two Policemen usually on duty (under MR. CANNANA’S auspices), in H. R. H’s den; the principal Money-taker at the gardens; the Monkey who, early in the season, was appointed (by MR. CANNANA) to a post on H. R. H’s grounds; and all the artificers employed (under MR. CANNANA’s directions), in constructing the existing accommodation for H. R. H’s entire dedication of his life and means to the consolation of the afflicted. Still, MR. CANNANA deemed it necessary to his project to unite in one solid phalanx all the leading professional keepers of Show Animals in and near London; and this extensive enterprise he immediately pursued, by circular-letter signed HAMET SAFI CANNANA, setting forth the absolute and indispensable necessity of “raising a permanent monument in honour of the Good Hippopotamus, which, while it becomes a record of gratitude for his self-sacrifices in the cause of charity, shall serve as a guide and example to all who wish to become the benefactors of mankind.” The response to this letter, was of the most gratifying nature. MR. WOMBWELL’S keepers joined the committee; all the, keepers at the Surrey Zoological, enrolled themselves without loss of time; the exhibitor of the dancing dogs, came forward with alacrity; the proprietor of “Punch’s Opera, containing the only singing dogs in Europe,” became a Committee-man; and the hoarse gentleman who trains the birds to draw carriages, and the white mice to climb the tight rope and go up ladders, gave in his adhesion, in a manner that did equal honour to his head and heart. The Italian boys were once thought of, but these MR. CANNANA rejected as low; for all MR. CANNANA’S proceedings are characterised by a delicate gentility. The Committee, having been thus constituted, and being reinforced by the purveyors to the different animals (who are observed to be very strong in the cause) held a meeting of their body, at which MR. CANNANA explained his general views. MR. CANNANA said; that he had proposed to the various keepers of Show Animals then present, to form themselves into that union for the erection of a Monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus, because, laying aside individual jealousies, it appeared to him that the cause of that animal of “unsurpassed worth,” was, in fact, the common cause of all Show Animals. There was one point of view (MR. CANNANA said) in which the design they had met to advance, appeared to him to be exceedingly important. Some Show Animals had not done well of late. Pathetic appeals had been made to the Public on their behalf; but the Public had appeared a little to mistrust the Animals – why, he could not imagine – and their funds did not bear that proportion to their expenditure, which was to be desired; Now, here were they, the Representatives of those Show Animals, about, one and all, to address the Public on the subject of the “Good” Hippopotamus. If they took the solid ground they ought to take; if they united in telling the Public without any misgiving that he was a creature “of unsurpassed worth,” that “his whole life was devoted to the protection and affectionate care of the sick and the afflicted;” that his self-sacrifices demanded the public admiration and gratitude;” and that he was “a guide and example to all who wished to become the benefactors of Mankind:” – if they did this, what he MR. CANNANA said, was, that the Public would judge of their representations of their Show Animals generally, by the self- evident nature of these statements; and their Show Animals, whatever they had been in the past, could not fail to be handsomely supported by the Public in future, and to win their utmost confidence. This position was universally applauded, but it was reduced to still plainer terms, by the straight-forward gentleman with the hoarse voice who trains the bird and mice. “In short,” said that gentleman, addressing MR. CANNANA, “if we puts out this here ‘Tizement, the Public will know in a minute that there isn’t a morsel of Humbug about us?” CANNANA replied, with earnestness, “Exactly so! My honourable friend has stated precisely what I mean!” This distinct statement of the case was much applauded, and gave the greatest satisfaction to the assembled company. It was then suggested by the Secretary, to MR. TYLER’S tiger, that several thousand circulars, embodying these statements (with a promise that the collector should shortly call for a subscription) ought to be immediately signed by MR. HAKET SAFI CANNANA, addressed, and posted. This work, MR. CANNANA undertook to superintend, and we understand that some ten thousand of these letters have since been delivered. The gentleman in waiting on MR.WOMBWELL’S Sloth (who is of an ardent temperament) was of opinion that the company should instantly vote subscriptions towards the Monument from the funds of their respective establishments: considering the fact, that the funds did not belong to them, of secondary importance to the erection of a Monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus. But, it was resolved to defer this point until the public feeling on the undertaking should have had an opportunity of expressing itself. This, as far as it has yet reached, is the history of the monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus. The collector has called, we understand, at a great many houses, but has not yet succeeded in getting into several, in consequence of the entrance being previously occupied by the collector of the Queen’s Taxes, going his rounds for the annuity to the young Duke of Cambridge. Whom Heaven preserve! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 'The "Good" Hippopotamus' Description An account of the resource Published in Household Words (12 October 1850) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dickens, Charles Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1850-10-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Dickens Journals Online, used by permission. Type The nature or genre of the resource Journalism article Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1850-10-12-The_Good_Hippopotamus Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Household Words, vol. 2, no. 29, 12 October 1850, pp. 49-51. Dickens Journals Online, <a href="https://www.djo.org.uk/household-words/volume-ii/page-49.html">https://www.djo.org.uk/household-words/volume-ii/page-49.html</a>. Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Dickens, Charles. 'The "Good" Hippopotamus'. Dickens Search. Eds. Emily Middleton and Lydia Craig. Accessed [date]. <a href="https://dickenssearch.com/journalism/1850-10-12-The_Good_Hippopotamus">https://dickenssearch.com/journalism/1850-10-12-The_Good_Hippopotamus</a>. Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Our correspondent, the Raven in the Happy Family, suggested in these pages, not long ago, the propriety of a meeting being held, to settle the preliminary arrangements for erecting an equestrian statue to the Hippopotamus. We are happy to have received some exclusive information on this interesting subject, and to be authorised to lay it before our readers. It appears that MR. HAMET SAFI CANNANA, the Arabian gentleman who acts as Secretary to H. R. H. (His Rolling Hulk) the Hippopotamus, has been, for some time, reflecting that he is under great obligations to that distinguished creature. MR. HAMET SAFI CANNANA (who is remarkable for candour) has not hesitated to say that, but for his accidental public connexion with H. E. H., he MR. CANNANA would no doubt have remained to the end of his days an obscure individual, perfectly unknown to fame, and possessing no sort of claim on the public attention. H. E. H. having been the means of getting MR. CANNANA’S name into print on several occasions, and having afforded Mr. CANNANA various opportunities of plunging into the newspapers, MR. CANNANA has felt himself under a debt of gratitude to H. R. H., requiring some public acknowledgment and return. MR. CANNANA, after much consideration, has been able to think of no return, at once so notorious and so cheap, as a monument to H. R. H., to be erected at the public expense. “We cannot positively state that MR. CANNANA founded this idea on our Correspondent’s suggestion for, indeed, we have reason to believe that he promulgated it before our Correspondent’s essay appeared but, we trust it is not claiming too much for the authority of our Correspondent to hope that it may have confirmed MR. CANNANA in a very noble, a very sensible, a very spirited, undertaking. We proceed to record its history, as far as it has yet gone. HAMET SAFI CANNANA, having conceived the vast original idea of erecting a Public Monument to H. R. H., set himself to consider next, by what adjective H. R. H. could be most attractively distinguished in the advertisements of that Monument. After much painful and profound cogitation, MR. CANNANA was suddenly inspired with the wonderful thought of calling him the “Good” Hippopotamus! This is so obviously an inspiration, a fancy reserved, through all the previous ages of the world, for this extraordinary genius, that we have been at some pains to trace it, if possible, to its source. But, as usually happens in such cases, MR. CANNANA can give no account of the process by which he arrived at the result. MR. CANNANA’S description of himself, rendered into English, would be, that he was “bothered;” that he had thought of a number of adjectives, as, the oily Hippopotamus, the bland Hippopotamus, the bathing Hippopotamus, the expensive Hippopotamus, the valiant Hippopotamus, the sleepy Hippopotamus, when, in a moment, as it were in the space of a flash of lightning, he found he had written down, without knowing why or wherefore, and without being at all able to account for it, those enduring words, the “Good” Hippopotamus. Having got the phrase down, in black and white, for speedy publication, the next step was to explain it to an unimaginative public. This process, MR. CANNANA can describe. He relates, that when he came to consider the vast quantities of milk of which the Hippopotamus partook, his amazing consumption on meal, his unctuous appetite for dates, his jog-trot manner of going, his majestic power of sleep, he felt that all these qualities pointed him out emphatically, as the “Good” Hippopotamus. He never howled, like the Hyena; he never roared, like the Lion; he never screeched, like the Parrot; he never damaged the tops of high trees, like the Giraffe; he never put a trunk in people’s way, like the Elephant; he never hugged anybody, like the Bear; he never projected a forked tongue, like the Serpent. He was an easy, basking, jolly, slow, inoffensive, eating and drinking Hippopotamus. Therefore he was, supremely, the “Good” Hippopotamus. When MR. CANNANA observed the subject from a closer point of view, he began to find that H. E. H. was not only the “Good,” but a Benefactor to the whole human race. He toiled not, neither did he spin, truly – but he bathed in cool water when the weather was hot, he slept when he came out of the bath; and he bathed and slept, serenely, for the public gratification. People, of all ages and conditions, rushed to see him bathe, and sleep, and feed; and H. R. H. had no objection. As H. R. H. lay luxuriously winking at the striving public, one warm summer day, MR. CANNANA distinctly perceived that the whole of H. R. H.’s time and energy was devoted to the service of that public. MR. CANNANA’S eye, wandering round the hall, and observing, there assembled, a number of persons labouring under the terrible disorder of having nothing particular to do, and too much time to do it in, moistened, as he reflected that the whole of H. R. H.’s life, ‘in giving them some temporary excitement, was an act of charity; was “devoted” (MR. CANNANA has since printed these words) “to the protection and affectionate care of the sick and the afflicted.” He perceived, upon the instant, that H. R. H. was a Hippopotamus of “unsurpassed worth,” and he drew up an advertisement so describing him. CANNANA, having brought his project thus far on its road to posterity, without stumbling over any obstacle in the way, now considered it expedient to impart the great design to some other person or persons who would go hand in hand with him. He concluded (having some knowledge of the world) that those who had lifted themselves into any degree of notoriety by means of H. R. H., would be the most likely (but only as best knowing him) to possess a knowledge of his unsurpassed worth. It is an instance of MR. CANNANA’s sagacity, that he communicated with the Milkman who supplies the Zoological Gardens. The Milkman immediately put down his name for ten pounds, his wife’s for five pounds, and each of their twin children for two pounds ten. He added, in a spirited letter, addressed to MR. CANNANA, and a copy of which is now before us, “You may rely on my assistance in any way, or in every way, that may be useful to your patriotic project, of erecting a Monument to the ‘Good’ Hippopotamus. We have not Monuments enough. We want more. H. R. H.’s consumption of milk has far exceeded, from the first moment of his unwearied devotion of himself to the happiness of Mankind, any animal’s with which I am acquainted; and that nature must be base indeed, that would not vibrate to your appeal.” Emboldened by this sympathy, MR. CANNANA next addressed himself to the Mealman, who replied, “This is as it should be,” and enclosed a subscription of seven pounds ten with a request that it might be stated in the published list that the number of his house was ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR B, at the right-hand corner of High Street and Blue Lion Street, and that it had no connexion with any similar establishments in the same neighbourhood, which were all impositions. CANNANA now proceeded to form a Committee. The Milkman and the Mealman both consented to serve. Also the two Policemen usually on duty (under MR. CANNANA’S auspices), in H. R. H’s den; the principal Money-taker at the gardens; the Monkey who, early in the season, was appointed (by MR. CANNANA) to a post on H. R. H’s grounds; and all the artificers employed (under MR. CANNANA’s directions), in constructing the existing accommodation for H. R. H’s entire dedication of his life and means to the consolation of the afflicted. Still, MR. CANNANA deemed it necessary to his project to unite in one solid phalanx all the leading professional keepers of Show Animals in and near London; and this extensive enterprise he immediately pursued, by circular-letter signed HAMET SAFI CANNANA, setting forth the absolute and indispensable necessity of “raising a permanent monument in honour of the Good Hippopotamus, which, while it becomes a record of gratitude for his self-sacrifices in the cause of charity, shall serve as a guide and example to all who wish to become the benefactors of mankind.” The response to this letter, was of the most gratifying nature. MR. WOMBWELL’S keepers joined the committee; all the, keepers at the Surrey Zoological, enrolled themselves without loss of time; the exhibitor of the dancing dogs, came forward with alacrity; the proprietor of “Punch’s Opera, containing the only singing dogs in Europe,” became a Committee-man; and the hoarse gentleman who trains the birds to draw carriages, and the white mice to climb the tight rope and go up ladders, gave in his adhesion, in a manner that did equal honour to his head and heart. The Italian boys were once thought of, but these MR. CANNANA rejected as low; for all MR. CANNANA’S proceedings are characterised by a delicate gentility. The Committee, having been thus constituted, and being reinforced by the purveyors to the different animals (who are observed to be very strong in the cause) held a meeting of their body, at which MR. CANNANA explained his general views. MR. CANNANA said; that he had proposed to the various keepers of Show Animals then present, to form themselves into that union for the erection of a Monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus, because, laying aside individual jealousies, it appeared to him that the cause of that animal of “unsurpassed worth,” was, in fact, the common cause of all Show Animals. There was one point of view (MR. CANNANA said) in which the design they had met to advance, appeared to him to be exceedingly important. Some Show Animals had not done well of late. Pathetic appeals had been made to the Public on their behalf; but the Public had appeared a little to mistrust the Animals – why, he could not imagine – and their funds did not bear that proportion to their expenditure, which was to be desired; Now, here were they, the Representatives of those Show Animals, about, one and all, to address the Public on the subject of the “Good” Hippopotamus. If they took the solid ground they ought to take; if they united in telling the Public without any misgiving that he was a creature “of unsurpassed worth,” that “his whole life was devoted to the protection and affectionate care of the sick and the afflicted;” that his self-sacrifices demanded the public admiration and gratitude;” and that he was “a guide and example to all who wished to become the benefactors of Mankind:” – if they did this, what he MR. CANNANA said, was, that the Public would judge of their representations of their Show Animals generally, by the self- evident nature of these statements; and their Show Animals, whatever they had been in the past, could not fail to be handsomely supported by the Public in future, and to win their utmost confidence. This position was universally applauded, but it was reduced to still plainer terms, by the straight-forward gentleman with the hoarse voice who trains the bird and mice. “In short,” said that gentleman, addressing MR. CANNANA, “if we puts out this here ‘Tizement, the Public will know in a minute that there isn’t a morsel of Humbug about us?” CANNANA replied, with earnestness, “Exactly so! My honourable friend has stated precisely what I mean!” This distinct statement of the case was much applauded, and gave the greatest satisfaction to the assembled company. It was then suggested by the Secretary, to MR. TYLER’S tiger, that several thousand circulars, embodying these statements (with a promise that the collector should shortly call for a subscription) ought to be immediately signed by MR. HAKET SAFI CANNANA, addressed, and posted. This work, MR. CANNANA undertook to superintend, and we understand that some ten thousand of these letters have since been delivered. The gentleman in waiting on MR.WOMBWELL’S Sloth (who is of an ardent temperament) was of opinion that the company should instantly vote subscriptions towards the Monument from the funds of their respective establishments: considering the fact, that the funds did not belong to them, of secondary importance to the erection of a Monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus. But, it was resolved to defer this point until the public feeling on the undertaking should have had an opportunity of expressing itself. This, as far as it has yet reached, is the history of the monument to the “Good” Hippopotamus. The collector has called, we understand, at a great many houses, but has not yet succeeded in getting into several, in consequence of the entrance being previously occupied by the collector of the Queen’s Taxes, going his rounds for the annuity to the young Duke of Cambridge. Whom Heaven preserve!