Note 16 — Chapter V · THE OCTOPUS OUT OF WATER.
Reading edition
A few days after the publication in Land and Water of my account of this occurrence, the following lines appeared in Fun. They were written by its editor, poor dear Tom Hood, who loved all animals—birds, beasts, and fishes—and delighted in conversing with me about those under my care:—
THE STRAYING ’TOPUS.
A LEGEND OF THE BRIGHTON AQUARIUM.
Have you heard of the Octopus— ’Topus of the feelers eight— How he left his tank o’po’pus Lump-fish to disintegrate? To the lump-fish tank, as sprightly As the Brighton coach, he’d ride; For two passengers he nightly Found convenient room inside. On his feelers, long and curly, Homeward then he gently strode; And you’d have to get up early To perceive him on the road. But it happened Mr. Lawler, Whom the lump-fish ought to thank, Caught this very early caller, “Dropt-in” on his neighbours’ tank! For some weeks the world lump-fishious Very strangely vanished had;— So the visit was suspicious, And appearances were bad! Well for him, this brigand larky Was not brought before J. P. (Neither clergy, nor squire-archy) But to Mr. Henry Lee. Said he, “Punish on suspicion, Is a thing I never will— Catch him in the same position; Then I’ll send him to the mill!” Treadmill is a wear-and-tear case, And Octopus would, you see, Do four men upon a staircase— Law, how tired the beast would be.