SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The following is from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' vol 2:-November 11 1865. “This morning, Saturday, a very fine cock pheasant, about two years old, was discovered to be wandering in the gardens of Blenheim Terrace, Leeds. The neighbourhood was soon in full hue and cry, but the bird used its legs to such advantage that it escaped its eager pursuers for a long time. At length Mr. Penny’s man-servant, Matthew Wray, caught the prize in his arms, and carried it to his master. Mr. Penny caused the bird to be taken care of, fed, and placed in a large cage, and on Monday sent it over to Templenewsam unharmed, in the hope that it would enjoy its wonted liberty in its native woods.”Such an event may be considered amusing but trivial now, but it was clearly newsworthy enough to be reported then. I wonder if the pheasant was subsequently cooked and eaten rather than enjoying "its wonted liberty”.

Leodian wrote: The following is from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' vol 2:-November 11 1865. “This morning, Saturday, a very fine cock pheasant, about two years old, was discovered to be wandering in the gardens of Blenheim Terrace, Leeds. The neighbourhood was soon in full hue and cry, but the bird used its legs to such advantage that it escaped its eager pursuers for a long time. At length Mr. Penny’s man-servant, Matthew Wray, caught the prize in his arms, and carried it to his master. Mr. Penny caused the bird to be taken care of, fed, and placed in a large cage, and on Monday sent it over to Templenewsam unharmed, in the hope that it would enjoy its wonted liberty in its native woods.”Such an event may be considered amusing but trivial now, but it was clearly newsworthy enough to be reported then. I wonder if the pheasant was subsequently cooked and eaten rather than enjoying "its wonted liberty”. Nice,amusing little tale.The Victorians loved their use of OTT flowery language and sentence construction which adds to the sense of perceived amusement at that time of course !

Cheers somme1916. If such an event happened now it would likely be tweeted (twittered?) and spread around the World in minutes!

Good job it wasn't a peacock then !At least you wouldn't need twitter (lol).....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qY8-Hoo ... re=related

somme1916 wrote: Good job it wasn't a peacock then !At least you wouldn't need twitter (lol).....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qY8-Hoo ... re=related Fun link somme1916.That woman though was so noisy she almost drowned out the peacocks!

Leodian wrote: somme1916 wrote: Good job it wasn't a peacock then !At least you wouldn't need twitter (lol).....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qY8-Hoo ... re=related Fun link somme1916.That woman though was so noisy she almost drowned out the peacocks! Cheers Leo,                 yes the racket she made was very unpheasant like.........

Leodian wrote: Cheers somme1916. If such an event happened now it would likely be tweeted (twittered?) and spread around the World in minutes! And in the YEP a week later (and on Calendar the night after that...)