So who was Paul Pry?

Whilst there may well be someone actually named Paul Pry, for the purposes of this blogpost, the name might refer to a rather unsavoury publication, or a collection of stories in two volumes by Erle Stanley Gardner, called “The adventures of Paul Pry”, or a collection of stories by John Poole. Paul Pry was also a character in a play by John Poole, which was written in 1825, and it is this Paul Pry I am referring to. A bit of background info before we get to the Loughborough connection!!

John Poole (1786-1872) was a master of comedy-drama, known as farce, and seems to have been rather prolific. His play “Paul Pry: a comedy in three acts” was very popular at the time (1825), and toured the country. The leading part was played by the actor John Liston, who apparently expertly brought the character of Paul Pry to life. The Paul Pry of the play has been described as a meddling sort of fellow, of no occupation, who spends much of his time interfering with the lives of others, and can often be found frequenting inns. 

The catchphrases associated with him relate to his interference in everything, like 

“Hope I don’t intrude”, 

“I wouldn’t wish to intrude”, 

“Would not intrude for the world”, 

“I’m the last to intrude”,  

which all clearly indicate that he does in fact mean to, and knows he is!!

According to a review of the performance that took place in the Haymarket Theatre in London on Tuesday 13th September, a review that appeared in ‘Bell’s Weekly Messenger’ of 18th September, there was “nothing new in the plot”, the “incidents of this piece are whimsical and ludicrous, but without much of originality”

But, despite this, the article continues “Paul Pry is decidedly the best comedy which has been got up this season – there was no room for ennui – the audience were kept in a constant roar of laughter”, and they attributed much of this to the “excellent acting of Mr Liston, who, as Paul, had ample scope for his peculiar style of acting.” The verdict issued by the newspaper was that “Paul Pry, however troublesome to his neighbours, will become a great favourite with the public.”

During the course of the play, a couple of songs were performed, which were sung by Madame Vestris, an opera singer, although more known for her work as a theatre producer and manager. The music for one of these, “Cherry Ripe”, was composed by Charles Edward Horn, and the words were written in the 1600s by a poet who experienced a revival in the nineteenth century. This poet was one Robert Herrick. 

If the name sounds familiar, you’d be right, for Robert Herrick (1591-1674), poet, was the nephew of Robert Herrick (sometimes spelled Heyrick) (1540-1618). The elder Robert was the MP for Leicester, who at one time lived on the site of the dissolved Greyfriars monastery in Leicester. This lay opposite what is now the cathedral, the site later being used for the buildings near which a certain king was recently found buried. Robert the MP, also had a brother, William, who purchased a country estate – possibly that at Beaumanor, although the hall itself has since been replaced in the 1840s by the building we see today, which was designed by William Railton.

Of course, one connection between Paul Pry with our area is not enough!!!

Across the country there were a number of pubs and inns called the Paul Pry, for example at Sheffield, Peterborough, Alrewas, and Sneinton. Indeed there are a few establishments that bear the name today, notably that at Worcester, one in Rayleigh in Essex, and there is still one in Peterborough.

A report in the 'Leicester Evening Mail' of 5th March 1930, states that a property in Loughborough has applied for a licence to sell beer – to become an off-licence. Almost 100 years earlier, the 'Leicester Chronicle' had reported that George Moore of Loughborough had been charged by the overseers with not providing for his apprentice, and was ordered to take her back, provide for her, and pay the costs. Moore was said to be “of the Paul Pry”. Back to 1930, where we find the article reporting that the Paul Pry was situated on Leicester Road, at the extreme end of the town and “which afterwards became a private residence known as The White House, on the corner of Beeches Road”! It's certain from the article that the Paul Pry was still in existence in 1869, but unclear if it continued much beyond this date. 

You can read about The White House in a previous blogpost, and about Fairfield House, which is affectionately called The White House on the Fairfield School website. 

So, maybe the title of this blogpost should have been “What was Paul Pry”?!

The White House at the corner of Beeches Road and Leicester Road, once known as the Paul Pry

Beaumanor Hall, designed by William Railton and once home to the Herrick family

You are welcome to quote passages from any of my posts, with appropriate credit. The correct citation for this looks as follows:

Dyer, Lynne (2022). So who was Paul Pry? Available from: https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.com/2022/03/so-who-was-paul-pry.html           [Accessed 27 March 2022]

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Lynne