Men (like this columnist) who love their teddy bears are probably the sanest, safest people on Earth but 100 years ago this week, Melbourne's Punch reported someone finding a teddy lover alarmingly bonkers.
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"The weakness of women for pet dogs is proverbial. But that failing is perfect sanity compared to the case of a man with an almost parental affection for teddy bears.
"A Melbourne matron at present on a visit to England has written home of an experience she and her husband had when they were staying at the most fashionable hotel in Brighton.
" 'There is an eccentric American here, who has seven teddy bears, ranging from a large one one right down to a midget. At lunch, he orders a liqueur brandy for each one, and says to each in turn, 'Old chap; what is the matter with you? Why not drink?' Than he drinks each himself.'
" 'At dinner he brings only one to the table, taking them turnabout. At the theatre he always books a stall for a teddy, and sits it up there.
" 'He seems to be quite all right except for his idea that the bears are human. When he comes into the dining room there is suppressed laughter.'
" 'My husband and I wondered why he was allowed to be at large but were informed that he was quite normal in other matters and had in fact resided at that hotel for the last 11 years, during which time he had been always accompanied by seven teddy bears.' "
