The Berners Street Hoax

The Berners Street Hoax Berners Street was located in a wealthy part of London, directly off of Oxford Street. Mrs. Tottenham herself was described by newspapers as "a woman of fortune." Her maid's anxiety rose when deliveries arrived not ordered by the household. This elaborate hoax was one of the main events in the news of 1810. Six men bearing an organ, Wine porters carrying permits, Barbers delivering wigs All of them clear of nits Mantua-makers with band-boxes, Opticians with objects of trade Mourning coaches and undertakers With coffins already made The Lord Mayor came in his carriage With two of his livery servants All day tradespeople appeared All manner of different merchants Accoucheurs, tooth-drawers and artists Auctioneers, poultry sellers and grocers, Post chaises, philosophers, sages Piano-fortes, coal waggons and mercers Raspberry tarts by the thousands Surgeons, apothecaries Physicians, upholsters, dog carts Architects, milk churns from dairies Gigs, glass coaches, reporters And constables came by the dozens And such a hullabaloo Everything there from marbles to muffins The police put up a reward For catching the criminal hoaxer A writer called Theodore Hook Admitted to being the prankster Hook sent over 4000 letters, To tradesmen and persons of rank His motive was winning a bet He could perpetrate such a prank. Folk hated the hoax for its cruelty A malignant species of wit His victim was chosen at random Was he sorry? Why not one bit!