Parodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. III

About this book

The volume presents a sprawling anthology of literary pastiches compiled in 1886, marketed as a “critical exposition” rather than mere buffoonery. Its opening manifesto, penned by Isaac D’Israeli, declares that parody attacks “the absurdities of writers” who make heroes act “against nature, common‑sense, and truth.” The work then arranges the original authors alphabetically, pairing each classic title with its satirical counterpart, and proceeds to list a bewildering array of imitations, from Byron’s “First Kiss of Love” to Burns’s “Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,” and from the “Anti‑Jacobin” verses to mock‑heroic pieces on contemporary politics. The introductory pages also include a self‑referential note from “John Taylor, the Water Poet,” emphasizing the compiler’s role as a collector of others’ wit rather than an originator.

The humor is unmistakably Victorian, steeped in the cadence of 19th‑century periodicals such as Punch and Funny Folks. Its voice is erudite yet playful, employing mock‑heroic diction, exaggerated diction, and frequent allusions to current events of the era. Readers who relish the clever subversion of canonical poetry, enjoy the rhythmic bounce of rhymed satire, and have an appetite for the cultural references of late‑Georgian and early‑Victorian Britain will find this compendium a rewarding, if dense, journey through the period’s most spirited literary spoofs.