At Yarmouth

Echoes of Mr. Barkis' famed remark* were heard last week, when citizens of Yarmouth expressed themselves as not only willing but anxious to name one of their streets "Barkis Road" by way of tribute to famed author-journalist Charles Dickens.

As the City Council was about to approve the measure, one Councilor Jack Salmon, "a breezy fish salesman," arose and denounced Character Barkis as "a silly old pup . . . a drunken rascal with a red nose." Forthwith one Alderman Goode vouched for Barkis' honesty and did not admit his habitual drunkenness; and the deliberations of the Council became audible in the next room.

Eventually "Barkis Road," "Peggotty Road," "Copperfield Avenue" and "Dickens Avenue" were approved by the Council, to replace the names of four of Yarmouth's principal streets.

An especially violent dispute centered about Character Steerforth, a friend of David Copperfield. Councilor Jack Salmon demanded to know "who he was before we name a street after him." Answered Councilor Hill, a dignified and venerable resident of Yarmouth, "Mr. Salmon, you will find out all about Steerforth by reading David Copperfield! . . . Although Dickens knew his Yarmouth and immortalized it, you don't seem to know your Dickens."

One Alderman Ferrier eventually opined, "Steerforth brought disgrace upon little Em'ly, a Yarmouth girl. Although he himself came to a tragic end, it is not advisable to perpetuate his name unduly." The Council agreed; banished "Steerforth Avenue" from its deliberations.

*"Barkis is willin'."