Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-08-01
SuspAY, 10th June, 1888.

PAGE
SuspAY, 10th June, 1888
Last night dined, according to invitation, Win
the Newspaper Press Association, at Williss hsoms'
near ST. Jamess Square. / drove TO the place IN
company with three other gentlemen, at D CLOCK IN
the afternoon. On entering, found large coiiee-
tion Of gentlemen already the ground, and the Sc
veral stewards with their slaves Of office, and their
badges IN their button holes.
The room is the famous place where Almacs is
held. The interior is rather elegant decorated with
Ionic columns and groups of statues, but ne'ning
very remarkable.
In the absence of the Duke Of Sussex, his brother
the Duke of Cambridge, was to preside. Soon after
my arrival, the company began to arrive. was IN
troduced to several of the London EDITORS and other
gentlemen of the press but their names have for
gotten-those of the Post, Herald, and others, were
among them. Mr.. Jordan, of the London Literary
Gazette, found an exceedingly pleasant, gentleman
ly and agreeable man. About this time, the ladies,
as spectators began to appear in the gallery. Mr
Jordan turned towards that quarter, remarkng, "
fnd Mr.. B., you great admirer of the ladies'"
The company collected now very fast. Mr.. J. gave
me his card, and think shall avail myself of an
opportunity to call and see him before leave Lon
| don.
| Ina few minutes his Royal Hghness was announced
He was attended by the Marquis of Chandos, Lord
Nugent, and several other persons of distinction.
There nothing different from the dinners that
usually take place any where. We had the usual
dishes, wines toasts speeches, music, and reveiry.
| The company numbered about 400 persons prncl-
pally composed of the editors and reporters OF the
daily press. Among them saw Dickens, the au
thor of the famous Pickwick papers. is apparent
| ly quite young man, of very melancholy cast O.
countenance The music after dinner was extremely
fine. A young lady, Miss Halves, whom had hear'
also at the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund dinner, wal
here, and sang. Her voice is the most remarkable
have ever heard. 1t is lower than contraho ant
| as sweet and mellow as il is deep. Madame Aibart
azz OF the Italian opera, also there and sung ar
| aria, or something else At IL O'Clock the Duke o.
Cambridge rose and departed-the rest of the com
| pany soon following.
| am daily collecting some curious and import ant
facts on the state of the press and erature here
Few of the highest rank Of literary were present
at this dinner. l did not see Buwer, or Moore, OF
many others. Connected with the daily press of this
metropolis, there probably 1000 persons who
earn living by their daily literary labor. They are
principally composed of reporters, editers and contr
butors. apparently, the great bulk of the press here
are favorable to the conservative interest," opposed
to the radical-but perfectly satisfied from wha
l have SEEM that in heart the great bulk Of the gen
tlemen of the press RADICAL favorable to chang
in the Institutions, society, and destiny Of this
try The principal portion Of the newspaper writer
are adventurers, seeking their fortunes, and trying 4
find position in society. At present they occupy
some dim, neutral ground between high and low 50
ciety. Personally, editors and reporters entirely
unknown to the public, but as aggregate, the Lon
| don press is the government OF the land.
In point of manners and language, the press here
10 far licentious than OF their public men,
and of persons of both in high life they almost
say what they please. Whenever the great confiic,
takes place between the privileged classes and these
of the unpnvilGged the gentlemen Of the press will
naturally ante with the latter. In large portions of
society there is deep and settled hostility to people
of rank These feelings exist too, while they are, to
all appearances paying the nobility all the respect to
| which the latter think they are entitled.
| Another thing has struck me-thc literary genius
of the age is exhausted gone, evaporated. The day
OF novels, poetry, the drama, &c. is gone for ever.
Whatever literary genius now rises up, will have TO
strike out a new channel, and what other channel
will that be but the daily press7 The sale even for
Bulwers novels is very limited. b.