Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-10-12
no. I-Secomd Series

~
PUBLISHED By AUTHORITY.
The peech PhBnkeys
Elegyspeeche Of Buzuz and Feggelection of Report.
er, &c. sc. &C.
DEAR BgNNETT-No one has read with greater plea
sure than myself the amusing articles which from time
TO time have appeared in your valuable paper from the
vigorous and classical pens of the nscruable Ensign
Drag and his coadutor Boz; but from the last paper
should Judge that some difficulty had occurred be-
tween them; Boz appears to have "I'ray, Blanche
and Sweetheart" all at his heels, and the soul of En-
sign Brag is up IN arms aud eager for the fray"
was lately elected member of the club, and fearful
lest (from the difficulty which appears to exist be-
tween Drag and Boz, and the errors into which bon
have faen) that you would be unableto obtain cor
rect copy Of the proceedings have been induced to
accept the office Of Reporter to the club.
The following the proceedings of the last meet
ing.
SATURDAY, Oct. 7, s o'clock.
The members Of the club were slowly assembling
at their usual rendezvous. The long face the knitted
brow, and vacant eye OF every Plckwlcklan as he
took his seat plainly told that all was not right the
cheerfuness which usually pervaded the assembly
was gone Gloom was upon every countenance,from
the iron bound vsage OF Dodson TO the peach blossom
face of Phunkey.
Black spirits and white,
Blue spirits and gray.
For while the Pckwickans gazcd in silence upon
the vacant chair which had often contained the
immortal Pick wick there rested the hammer head
ed cane which had so often supported hIm on his re-
spring wig, the only relics of the ncarcerated Pick
Wick.
The energies of ordinary men would have sunk un.
der so great a calamity. Not so the Pickwickans.-
Ii is in times like these thar true greatness stands
forth in bold relief. Mr.. Bob Sawyer the first TO
break silence.
Though Mr.. Sawyer is one of the most prominent
members of the club, neither Brag nor Boz III their
reports have taken the least notice of him. He is
vulte tall and rather inclined 10 the ampp species.
His face is what Mr.. Webster wonld term lantern
awed. His features sharp the nose IS decidedly
Roman, and the eye has rather laeklustre express
sion his head is ornamented with beautiful fiaXen
rinolets and the upper lip with musache the es
pecia care of this distinguished Individual
81 move" said Mr.. Bob Sawyer, "that Mr. Wardle
take the char. At the sound OF his voice the compa-
nv started from their revere; and all eyes were
directed towards Mr.. Wardle, who sat quietly mixing
glass of whlskey punch. large pitcher sugar
dish, tumbler, and wine glass occupied the table
immediately in front of him, for Notwithstanding the
almost fetal state Of insenslbty which pervaded the
assembly glasses had been passing mechanically to
and from Mr.. Wardle, who as he SUCCESSFULLY re-
plenished Them filled the wine glass to test the quail
~ of each.
friend Ben Allen, Ia short dumpy parsonage of Dutch
extraetlon) and carried unanimously
Mr.. Wardle, on assuming the char, said that he elt
himself unworthy of the honor that had been con-
ferred upon him he was not ambitious, he felt con
tented in the humble sphere which had been previ-
ousy been assigned to him caster to the club but,
said he,
"since you will buckle fortune my back
To bear her surthen whether will or no,
1 must have patience endure the load"
His modesty would never allow him TO think that
he could confer honor on the station; but he knew
that the station conferred honor on hun. wish ICON
fnued he holding up the spring wig) that the mantle
OF the immortal Pckwck had fallen on me. He
was here interrupted by the passing OF a glass Of
punch Of Wrinkles connection, who, looking over his
spsctacles anxiously awaited the result OF Wardle s
Judgment DIR. Wardlc received the glass and slpped
a small quantity therefrom. Smack, sinack-he gave
n slight nod of appreciation and resumed his seat.
The minutes of the last meeting having been read,
Mr. phunkey the poet laureate, rose and stated that
under the impression that the lusirous Pckwick had
bid the world good night" he had composed an ell
cgy upon his death which, with the PERMISSION of the
club, he would read. Loud applause regret dear
Bennett that IN consequence OF beng unable TO OBJ
tain copy Of this beautiful composition, from Mr.
Phunkey, can only furnish you with the first verse
which was as follows
why hang the heads Of all 20 low
Why these sountenanccs II wos
With sunken eye, and face 30 pale
And why this universal sadness,
nplace Of our former gsdness
Which causes much TO vait
Attic conclusion, Air. Fogg arose, and inquired of
Mr.. Phunkey if the piece was entrey ongnai; y
struck him that IL was very mucn IN ihe style 81
Chaucer. Mr.. Phunkcy was on ms ieet IN moment,
and blushnp CRIMSON expressed himself highly ndlg-
nant AT the remark of Mr.. Fogp. l move, SAID he,
that Mr. Focg be fined for his unwarrantabe lnsnu-
arisn Ensign Brag seconded the motion Mr. Snod-
grass proposed that the fine be lef entirely 70 the
discretion Of the chairman. Snodgrasss proposition
was carried "viya voce" The char, after due con-
sderaon condemned the counsellor TO read the last
edition Of Phunkeys poems or take the glass OF salt
and water. Mr.. Fogg-l appeal from the decision Of
the chair. Loud cries of order, order; no appeal; ne
appeal
The chairman gave order to the Sergeant at arms
10 "cempress the ugular," which about 10 becar-
ned into effect whenM Fogg after number OF wry
faces expressed his preference for the salt and water
winch was accordingly drank TO the great amusement
of the club
The chairman here stated that positive information
had been received that Mr Pckwick ncarcerate ted
in the New York fleet and il was necessary that all
the energies Of the club should be brought into action
to effect his Liberation.
Ensign Brag suggested the propriety Of proceeding
TO the fleet and hbcratng Mr.. Pckwck, rie a arnis,
and in support Of his proposition, alluded 10 the Mel
ton Mowbay affair.
Mr. Samvel Weller observed, that the Ensign was
"conngu leetle too strong" as the stage coached
said ven he encountered a snow storm. Mr. Weller,
senior said he was in favor Of resort to straagem
and TO this effect suggested that the club should pur
chase quarter cask of VINE and send il TO Mr.. Pick
wick, who, snder pretencs the wine did not suit him,
might after quietly getting into H. order il back
the lofts Of Water street. Mr. Samiyel Weller an
proved OF the elder Mr. Welers proposition but
moved that barrel Of -four be substituted in place OF
the quarter cask. None OF the above propositions
having been acceded to- the chairman proposed eav.
inc the matter To Mpasrs Buzfnz DOdaOn and Eo0u