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Today I had lunch with Robert H. Batey, the author of 'Under His Hat.' He published his book several years ago, then underwent a prolonged round of abuse from the 'Louis Carroll Society' because he couldn't 'prove' his lineage.
He is the great-great nephew of 'Alice,' of ' Alice in Wonderland fame, and told me all about the real-life characters that are behind the names found in the book. I never realized that the tea party was a somewhat 'real' event, or that the players were actual people. I had known the name 'Coffee Johnny' from the British folk song, "Blayden Races," but I never knew he was 'The Mad Hatter,' or that Tommy Over the Bridge was 'the doormouse!'
It was an interesting lunch! I'm looking forward to reading the book. I don't give a damn if it's fact or fiction. He made for a rollicking good lunch companion!
Stitchawl
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