Fudge Family

( The ), a family supposed by T. Moore to be visiting Paris after the peace. It consists of Phil Fudge, Esq., his son Robert, his daughter Biddy, and a poor relation named Phelim Connor (an ardent Bona part ist and Irish patriot), acting as bear-leader to Bob. These four write letters to their friends in England. The skit is meant to satirize the parvenu English abroad. Phil Fudge, Esq. , father of Bob and Biddy Fudge; a hack writer devoted to legitimacy and the Bourbons. He is a secret agent of Lord Castlereagh [ Kar.´sl.ray ], to whom he addre es letters ii. and ix. and points out to his lordship that Robert Fudge will be very glad to receive a snug Government appointment, and hopes that his lordship will not fail to bear him in mind. Letter vi. he addre es to his brother, showing how the Fudge family is prospering, and ending thus: Should we but still enjoy the sway Of Sidmouth and of Castlereagh, I hope ere long to see the day When England’s wisest statesmen, judges, Lawyers, peers, will all be— Fudges . Mi Biddy Fudge , a sentimental girl of 18, in love with “romances, high bonnets, and Mde. le Roy.” She writes letters i., v., x., and xi., describing to her friend Dolly or Dorothy the sights of Paris, and especially how she becomes acquainted with a gentleman whom she believes to be the king of Pru ia in disguise, but afterwards she discovers that her disguised king calls himself “Colonel Calicot.” Going with her brother to buy some handkerchiefs, her visions of glory are sadly dashed when “the hero she fondly had fancied a king” turns out to be a common linen-draper. “There stood the vile treacherous thing, with the yard-measure in his hand.” “One tear of compa ion for your poor heart-broken friend. P.S.—You will be delighted to know we are going to hear Brunel to-night, and have obtained the governor’s box; we shall all enjoy a hearty good laugh, I am sure.” Bob or Robert Fudge , son of Phil Fudge, Esq., a young exquisite of the first water, writes letters iii. and viii. to his friend Richard. These letters describe how French dandies dre , eat, and kill time.—T. Moore (1818). ⁂ A sequel, called The Fudge Family in England , was published.