Dick Whittington is a character in British pantomime, very loosely based on the real-life Richard Whittington. There are several versions of the traditional story, which tells how Dick, a boy from a poor family, sets out for London to make his fortune, accompanied by his cat. At first he meets with little success, and is tempted to return home. However, on his way out of the city, whilst climbing Highgate Hill from Archway, he hears the Bow Bells of London ringing, and believes they are sending him a message. A traditional rhyme is associated with this episode, as follows: Pantomime may refer to two different types of performing arts. ... Richard Whittington, medieval merchant and politician, was the real-life inspiration for the pantomime character, Dick Whittington. ... Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7,421,328 and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. ... Trinomial name Felis silvestris catus (Linnaeus, 1758) This article is about the domestic cat. ... View of Highgate, John Constable, 1st quarter of 19th century. ... Archway is an area in North London in the London Borough of Islington. ... St Mary-le-Bow Church, built 1671-80, one of Wrens City Churches built after the Great Fire of London St Mary_le_Bow is a historic church in the City of London, off Cheapside. ...

Turn again, Whittington,

Once Mayor of London!

Turn again, Whittington,

Twice Mayor of London!

Turn again, Whittington,

Thrice Mayor of London!

On returning to London, Dick embarks on a series of adventures. In one version of the tale, he travels abroad on a ship, and wins many friends as a result of the rat-catching activities of his cat; in another he sends his cat and it is sold to make his fortune. Eventually he does become prosperous, marries his master's daughter, and is made Lord Mayor of London three times - though in reality four times. Look up adventure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary An Adventure (from Latin res adventura, a thing about to happen) is a wild and exciting undertaking, especially where there is a chance of danger. ... Italian ship-rigged vessel Amerigo Vespucci in New York Harbor, 1976 A ship is a large, sea-going watercraft, sometimes with multiple decks. ... Species 50 species; see text *Several subfamilies of Muroids include animals called rats. ... Michael Berry Savory. ...

A small stone statue of a black cat is situated on Highgate Hill and celebrates this story.