Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-24
From Blaek,sood's Magazine.
THE FIRST AND LAST DINNER.


and other local interests, as permanent lnhabi'
tsnts Of the metropolis, agreed, one day waen
they were drinking their wine at the Star and
Crater at Richmond, 10 institute an annual DIM
rer among themselves, under the following re-
sulalions: That they should dine alternately at
each others houses on the first and last day OF
the year; thar the first bottle Of wine uncorked
| at the first dinner, should be recorked and put
away, to be drunk by him who should be The
last OF their number, tina, they should never adj
nit new member; that, when one died, eleven
| should meet, and when another died, ten should
| meet, and so on, and hat, when only one re-
manned, he should, on those Two days, dine by
himself, and ait the usual hours at his solitary
table, but the first time he so dlned alone, lest
it should be the only one, he should then un-
cork the first bottle, and, in the rst glass, drink
10 the memory of all who were gone.
There was something original and whlmsI.
cal in the idea, and it was eagerly embraced.
They were all in the prime Of lite, closely attach
ed by reciprocal friendship, fond OF social en-
ioyments, and looked forward to their future
meetings with unaloyed aaticiPalions OF plea
sure. The only thought, indeed, that could have
darkeneG those anticipations was one not very
| likely 10 intrude itself at this moment that OF
the hapless wight who was destined to uneork
the first bottle at his lonely repast.
| 1t was high summer when this frolicsome
| compact was entered into; and as their pleasure
Yacht SKINNED along the dark bosom Of The
Thames on their return TO London, they talk
ed Of ohing but their first and last feasts OF en-
suing years. Their imaginations ran riot with
thousand gay predictions Of festive merri-
ment. They wantoned in coD]ectures OF what
changes time would operate; Joked each other
upon their appearance, when they should meet
some hobbling upon cru,ches after severe M
Of the goul.-others poking about with pur-
blind ewes, which even spectaces could hardly
enable 20 distinguish the alderman's walk In
auneh Of venson-some with portly round bel
lie, and lidv little brown wigs, and others de-
Gently dressed out in new suit OF mourning
for the death of a great grand daughter, or q
great, grea, grand son. Pasies. wrinkles, tooth.
ss ssiT To dt RRabsfa nnf mSfitY. e
appropriated f st 10 one and then 20 another,
as group of merry children would have dis
uibured golden palaces, flying chariots, dia
moEd tables, and chairs Of solid pearl; under The
fancieG possess sion ofa maeician's wand, which
could transform plain brick, and timber, and
humble mahogany, into sue b costly treasures.
GAS for you George" exclaimed one Of the
tu elve, addressing his brother-in-law, II ex-
pecl shall see YOU as dry, withered, & shsunk-
en- as an old eel>skin, you mere outside OF
mani" and he accompanied the words with
hearty slap on The shoulder.
George Tortrscue was leaning earelessly ov
err The side Of the yacht, laughing The loudest
Of any al the conversation which had been Car
ried on. The sudden manual saluta,ion OF his
brother in.law threw him of his balance, IN
moment he was overheard. They heard The
heavy splash Of his fall before they could be said
to have seen him fall. The zach, was proceed
ing swiftly along; but il was Instantly stopped.
TIE utmost CONSERVATION now prevailed. 1t
was nearly dark, bu Forlescue was known to
BIZ an exec J. mt swimmer, and starting as the
acciden, was, they felt certain he would regain
the vessel. They could no, sac him. They lis
tened. They heard The sound of his hands and
feet. They hailed him An answer was re-
urned, but in fain, gurgng voice, and the
exclamation -Oh God" struck upon their Ears.
In an instant two or three, who were expert
swimmers, plunged into Tie river, and swan
iowa, DIS the spot whence the exc lamatlon had
proceeded. One OF them was within an arms
leng h Of Fo'escue; he saw him; he was strug>
Cling and buffeting the water, before he could
be reached, he went down, and his distracted
friend beheld the eddying circles OF the wave
just over The spot where he had sunk. lie cl>
we'd after him and touched the bottom, but The
tide must have drifled the BODY onwards, for ii
could not be found.
They proceeded to one of the nearest stations
where drags were kept, and having procured
the necessary apparatus, they returned tn the
fatal spot. After the lapse of above an hour,
they succeeded in raising the hieless body of
their lost friend. All the usual remedies were
employed for restoring suspended animation,
but in vain; and they now pursued the remain
der Of their course to London, in mournful ST.
lence, with the corpse Of him who had COM
menced the day of pleasure with them in the
funess of health, of spiri's, and of life! Amid
their severer grief, they could not but reflect
how soon one of the joyous twelve had slipped
out of the little festive circle.
The months rolled on and cold December
came with all its cheering round Of kindly
greetings and merry hospitalilles; and with i
came a sofened recollection Of The Iate OF poor
Fortescue, eleven Of the Twelve assembled on
the las: day Of the year, and i, was impossible
not to feel their loss as they sat down to din
L 10