The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-15
ANECDoTE OF MATTHEWS.

lnnumerable stories are told of the FRANKS Mat
thews delighted tn play under different DISCUSSES
and different characters. No doubt there is much
exaggeratlon IN these. was myself sceplca as
I" Matlhews's power of concealing his identity
from persons to whom he was known bappen
ed to mention this To Peter Coke. who assured me
the following instance occurred under his own oh.
servaton.
Il was invited quoth Peter. TO dine at the
PiaZza Coffne- house To meet select party a.
mong whom was Matthew's. The room we dined
in had two doors. Matthew's sat on the right
hand OF our entertainer, by whuse desire seated
myself next To Matthews. During dinner, the
latter mentioned that an acquaintance of his. an
obstinate. opinionated old bachelor, whom he had
known in the north was now in town, and that
he was exceedingly apprehens've this person, who
WAS Intolerably rude and ovcrbearing, would find
him ont, and force himself TN the coInpapy Az
ter dinner Matthews made himself exceedingly
agreeable, and we all in the acme of epiov
ment. when the waiter. entering. announced that
an a., e,ueriy gentleman was below, inquiring for
Mr.. Matthews.
What's his name q asked Matthew'S in or.,,
alarm.
lie didn't say, sir. He says he knows you
are here. and he must see you
Old Ihwaitesn cried Matthews, starting IN.
knew he'd ferret rue ont
Stay; what sort of man is he p said our en-
terlaner.
Has he brown great coat on p demanded
Matthews.
Yes sir
Green specs?'
Yes sir
Scratch wig2'
Yes SIT
Sto"ps good deal, and speaks in north
country accent?'
Exactly. sir; you've
All! knew it, Interrupted Matthews, shrug-
glng up his shoulders, and shooting TO the stairs
head.
tell you know he's in the house and will
SEE hlmn vo"ileraied voice on the stairs
Say Bannister's taken il--I'm gone TO tha
theatre, cried Matthews, rushing in, seizny his
hat and boiling.
He had scarcely made his exit at one door.
when old Thwaites appeared at the other. Tho
Iatier's appearance corrssponded in every respect
with the description given by Matthews
'Where's Mathns| demanded he, abruptly. in
strong north country accent, know he's hers,'
continued he hobbIing into the rum, and lookino
sharply around and must see him.
Mr. Matthews was here sir replied our hoat
WIN more Pollteness than tbuugbt the occasion
called iof: but he's just gone TO the theatre.
and
That won't pass with me- interrupted Mr..
ihwaltcs. rudely. Il know he's in the house
you cant hambouzle me know he doesn't play
to-nlght-Pve aSceriained that So here CON
tlnued he. putting down his hat and stick, and
seating himself in the chair Matthews had lust
vacated. here stay until I've seen him.
| We all started al this.
You're quite welcome to stay, sir, az LONG as
you please, said our entertainer. cody. But
what tell you is the fact. Mr.. Bannister is Ia
ken suddenly i'll. and
lrsa lie. sir, interrupted Mr. Thwaiies again.
it's lie, sir' repeated he, striking the table
with his cenched fist until the glasses iinoled
| again, and you all know it, concluded no. look
| ing ieTcely around.
| Of course we II rose at this.
Pray, gentlemen said our entertainer, 'be
seated, beg. AS an elderly gentleman-as
Hiend OF Mr.. Mstthews--Mr. Thwaites is pryi-
legged to--prsy resume your seats, gentleman
| we oheyed, though confess ! fel, strongly
inclined, IN spite Of his years, to kick the inirn-
der out
So you know me, do you p proceeded Mr..
Fhwsites, filling out bumper Mathus mem
toned the, did he 2 Pahl what rot put stufT,
what beasiy wine ] wonder you canIdrink snch
rubbish Pah !-noihiDg but sloe Juice and 81;
der. But anything-anything's good enough for
you cockneys,' added he, with sneer ,HsI
ha !--curse me if think you know good wine.
when you get it
Some OF rs ventured to dissent from this but
Mr.. Ihwaites stuck to his assertion, and main
tanned II with 80 much rUdeDess, that il required
all the tact OF our retainer TO preserve order No
matter what subject was started, Mr.. Thwsitss
was sure TO render it the theme for discord until
at length the patience Of the company becoming
exhausted. we rose en- npasse, and were on the
point Of forcibly ejeciing the intruder, who null
ing oh his wig and spectscles, disclosed the fes-
lures Of Matthews himselfi