Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-08
From Skinner's Americas Turf Register and
Sporting .Magazine.
THE RICHMOND i" ,BAR3ACUE (OR QUoIT)
CLUBD

|
CLUB"
/ During recent visit to Richmond, in Vir-
gina, / was invited to " Barbecue Club"
held under the shade of some fine oaks, near
/ Buchanan's Springs, about mile distant
from the town. | there met with about
{! thirty of the respectable inhabitants of
Richmond, with few guests. The day
was fine one, and the free and social in
tercourse of the members rendered it pc
culiarly pleasant.
one OF the sort in the United States, having
existed upwards of forty years; 1t origina-
ted in meeting every other Saturday from
| the first Of May until the month of October,
OF some of the Scotch merchants who were
early settlers in that town. They agreed
each to take out some cold meats for their
repast, and to provide due quantity ofdrink.
ables, and enjoy relaxation in that way after
the lahours Of the week. They occasional
4 ly invited sosBe others Of the inhabitants,
who finding the time passed pleasantly, pro-
posed in the year 1788, to form regular
1 club, consisting of thirty members, under a
written constitution limiting their expenses
each day by sort of sumptuary law which
| prohibited the use of wine and porter.
The Virginians, you know, have always
been great EnlitagiGns as to constitutional
matters. Whenever a member died or re-
signed, but there have been very few res
gnations) his place was filled by balloting
for new one, who could not be elected
without the concurrence of two thirds of the
club. 1t is said that for many years no va
cancy occurred, and sort Of superstitious
sentiment was prevalent, that to become
member of the club was to insure longevity.
I The Arch Destroyer, however, at length APP
peared in all his strength, and made such
! havock, that only one ofthe original mem
bers the venerable Chief Justice of the
United States) isnow surviving.
The club consists Of judges, lawyers, doc
tors and merchants, and the GOVERNOR of
the Commonwealth has general invitation
when he enters into Office. What gave adj
ditlonal interest to this body, some years
ago, was the constant attendance las honor
airy members) Of two venerable clergymen
-one of the Episcopal and the other of the
! Presbyterian Church-who joined in the
innocent pastlme ofthe day. They've pi-
Gus and exemplary men, who dlscerned no
sin in harmless gaiety. Quoits and back
( CANNON are the only games INDUCED in, and
one Of the clergymen was for many years
| g cock of the walk" in throwing the discus.
! They are gone to their account, and have
left chasm that has not been filled.
Some years ago, an amendme mt was made
to the constitution, which admits the use of
porter. Great opposition was made to, this
innovation and the destruction of the club
! was predicted as the consequence. The
, oppositionlsts, however, soon became as
great consumers of malt and hops as their
i associates, and now they even consent to
the introduction Divine at the last meeting
, of every year, provided there be a I" shot
in the locker" The members each advance
ten dollars to the treasurer at the beginning
of the season, and every member is entitled
to invite any strangers as guests on paying
into the general fund one dollar for each:
while the caterers of the day, consisting of
two members in rotation, preside, and have
the privilege Of bringing each guest either
citizen or NONRESIDENT at free cost On
the next day was present, dinner was ready
at half past three o'clock, and consisted of
excellent meats and fish, well prepared and
we'll served, with the vegetables of the sea-
son. Your veritable gourmand never fails
to regale himself on his favourite barbecue
which is fine fat pig, called I" shoatI'
cooked on the Goals, and highly seasoned
with cayenne-a desert Of melons and fruits
follow and punch. porter, and toddy, are the
table liquors, but with the fruits comes on
the favourite beverage of the Virginians.
mint julip in place of wine. | never wit
) messed more feftivity and good humour than
prevails at this club. By the constitution
the subject Of politicks is forbidden, and each
man strives to make the time pleasant to
his companions. The members think thew
can offer no higher compliment to distin-
guished stranger than to introduce him to
the club, and all feel it duty to contribute
to his entertainment. 1t was refreshing to
see such man as Chief Justice Marshall
laying aside The reserve of his digni6ed
station, and contending with the young men
at game of quiots, with all the emulation
of youth.
j Many anecdotes are told of occurrences
at these meetings. Such is the partiality
for the Chief Justice, that it is said that the
greatest anxiety is felt for his success in
the game by the bystanders and on one oc-
casion an old Scotch gentleman was called
on to decide between his quote and that of
/ another member, who, after seemingly care
full measurement announced" Mister Mar
shall has it leattle," when it was visible to
all that the contrary was the fact A French
gentleman Baron Quenet) was at one time
guest when the governour, the Chief JUS
tice, and several of the Judges of the High
Court of Appeals, were engaged with others,
nth coats Of, in well contested game. He
asked, !" If 1T was possible that the dignita-
ries of the land could thus intermix with pri-
vate citizens !" and when assured ofthe fact,
he observed with true Gallican enthusiasm,
that he had never before seen the real
beauty of republicansm."
I On Tuesday afternoon an elderly man
who lived in Vernon street, Southwark,
committed suicide. He shot himself with
gun loaded only with powder and a wad.
The mnzzle appeared to have been press
ed against his heart, and the trigger is
supposed to have been touched with
cane, which was found lying near the