Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-30
MISCELLANY.
ANECDOTE OF CURRAN.

The only man OF any emlnence that
he came into personal contact with
was Macklin, the actor, and the origin
Of their acquaintance was rather singu-
lar.
After Mr.. Curran had concluded his
terms, he was detained for some time
in London in expectation Of remit
lance from Ireland, without which he
could neither discharge his arrears at
his lodgings, nor return to his own
country. AT length, just as his purse
had attained "the last stage of mani
tion," he received a bill of exchange
upon a banking house in Lombard
street: without stopping to examine
the bill mlnutely, he flew to present
it; but the banker soon discovered that
nece ssary endorsement was omitted,
and of course refused 10 pay it. Ofthe
scene upon this occasion, as it took
place across the counter, his own con-
sternation at the dreadful tidings, and
the bankers insensibility to his distress
his solemn and repeated protestations
that the bill came from most respecta-
BILE merchant in the butter trade at
Cork; and the wary citizens marked
distrust Of all that was Irish, Mr. Cur
ran used to give most dramatic and
ludicrous description. Having left the
bankers and being without a shilling
in his pocket, he strolled into ST. James
Park, where he remained during his
usual dinner hour, considering the
means of relieving himself from his
present necessity; but after long reAec-
ton, ne could only come 10 ore certain
conclusion, that the misfortune could
never have happened more inoppor-
timely, every one of his Irish friends
to whome alone, he could have applied
having quilted London, leaving him
behind, awaiting this remittance.
AS he sat upon one Of the benches,
exhausted with devising expedients, he
began to whistle a melancholy old Irish
air; an old gentleman seated at the O.
Their enc Git was Macklin) started at
the well known sounds.
"Pray, sir" said the stranger, "may
l venture to ask where you learned that
tune"
"Indeed, sir" replied the whistler,
in the meek and courteous tone of a
spirit which affection had softened, Gin
deed you may sir; l learned it in nv
native country, in Ireland?"
"But how comes it, sir, that at this
hour, while other people are dining,
you continue here, whistling, old Irish
airs"
"Alas! sir, too have been in the
habit of dining of late, but to-day, my
money being all gone, and my credit
not yet arrived, l am even forced TO
come and dine upon a whistle in the
park
Struck by the mingled dependence
and playfulness of his confession, the
benevolent veteran exclaimed, "Cou-
rage, young man, think that can
see that YOU deserve better fare: come
along with me, and you shall have it,"
About ten years after this interview
Macklin came to Dublin: Mr.. Curran,
who in the interval has risen to emf
nence, was invited one evening to a
party where the actor was one OF the
company; they were now presented to
each other, but Macklin failed to recog-
nize in the new celebrated advocate
and orator, the distressed student in
St. James Park. Mr.. Curran, perceiv-
ing this, abstained for the momentfrom
claiming any acquaintance; but he con-
trived in little time to introduce
conversation upon the acts OF kindness
and hospitality which Irishmen SO gen
orally receive abroad from such OF their
countrymen as they may chance 10