The Voluble Topsy

A P Herbert (1890-1971) was one of Britain’s greatest comic writers, who specialised in writing for Punch, where the Topsy letters first appeared. He had a long career as a Member of Parliament and lawyer, during which he was a savage critic of obsolete British laws.

Introduction,
by Kate Macdonald



The
Trials of Topsy



1 A Brush with
the Highbrows



2 The Simple Life



3 Nature



4 Don Juan



5 Good Works



6 Hymen



7 Literature



8 Reducing



9 Going to the Dogs




10 Ideals



11 The Origin of
Nieces



12 The Superfluous
Baronet



13 The Noble Animal



14 The Fresh Mind




15 A Run with the
Yaffle



16 Case for the Defence



17 Good Women and
True



18 Charity



19 A Real Christmas



20 The Ephemeral Triangle



21 Engaged



22 The Untrained Nurse




23 Politics



24 Scandal at Burbleton



25 End of Act One




 



Topsy,
MP



1 Becomes a
Member



2 Goes Shooting



3 Flies Half the
Atlantic



4 At the Prunery



5 Makes a Film



6 Goes Hunting



7 Passes Poxton



8 Is All for Al



9 Takes her Seat



10 Hauls Down the
Gold Standard



11 Has Words with
the Whips



12 Knows Too Much



13 Wins Bread



14 Behaves Badly



15 Plays Golf
with Nancy



16 Solves
Everything



17 Converts a Whip




18 Is Unlucky



19 Converts the
Councillor



20 Starts a Salon




21 Trouble in the
Home



22 Asks Questions



23 Loses the Whip



24 Trouble in the
House



25 Does
Needlework



26 Becomes a
Mother



 



Topsy
Turvy



1
Peace!



2
Consolations



3
The Suffrage Episode



4
The Moon Party



5
Frustration



6
Iodine Dale



7
Saving at the Races



8
The Danes



9
Force 5



10
The New House



11
The Prime Meridian



12
Good Resolutions



13
Heroic Act



14
Timothy Brine



15
The Dogs



16
Jack and Jill



17
Keeping Fit



18
The Canaanites



19
Stiff Lips



20
Movements



21
Ulcerous World



22
Haddock in Trouble



23
The Speech Sweep



24
The Dogs Again



25
Radiant Day