Yow! Here we see how a peculiar habit of Britspeak was cleverly identified in a prairie critique of The False Heir by G.P.R. James, then subsequently exploited by Melville in "Israel Potter" (1854) as a characteristic mannerism in the speeches of King George III:
I[maginary]. F[riend].—"James has an extraordinary habit of making his spokesmen repeat the first sentence of their speeches, thus—I don't know, sir; I don't know, sir,— That's a pity—that's a pity!' Since I have noticed it, it always makes me nervous!"
-- Scenes Beyond the Western Border in the Southern Literary Messenger Volume 18, January 1852; and Scenes and Adventures in the Army.
Waiting a moment, till the man was out of hearing, the king again turned upon Israel.
"Were you at Bunker Hill?—that bloody Bunker Hill —eh, eh?"
"Yes, sir."
"Fought like a devil—like a very devil, I suppose?”
"Yes, sir."
"Helped flog—helped flog my soldiers?”
"Yes, sir; but very sorry to do it."
"Eh?—eh?—how's that?"
"I took it to be my sad duty, sir."
"Very much mistaken—very much mistaken, indeed. Why do ye sir me?—eh? I'm your king—your king."
"Sir," said Israel firmly, but with deep respect, "I have no king."
-- "Israel Potter" in Putnam's Monthly Magazine for August, 1854.
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