The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-14
AIR Jo.h,,,,'s Oiuusys.,

well, Sir Joshua, said lawyer DGnning,
on arriving first at one Of these parties, and
who have you got to dine with YOU today!
The last Time dined in your house the
company was OF su,.h sort, that 10y II
believe all the rest Of the world enjoyed
peace ior that afternoon. Bur though We
hemence and dispulaton will at times ,lsurP
quieter enjoyments, where men of genius
and strong character are assembled, the ev-
dence that has survived Of the character oil
these celebrated meetings in no respect I'M
pairs their indesiructible interest. They
were the first great example that had been
given in this country of cordial intercourse
between persons of distinguished preten-
sions OF all kinds poets, physicians, law
yers, deans, historians, actors, temporal and
spritua! peers, house Of commons men,
men OF science, men Of letters, painters,
philosophers, and lovers Of the arts; meet
ing on ground Of hearty ease, good hu
NOR and pleasantly, which exalls my re.
spect for the memory Of Reynolds. It was
no prim fine table he set them down to.
There was little order or arrangement
there was more abundance than elegance;
and happy freedom thrus, conventional.
ism aside. Often was the dinner.board, pre-
pared for seven or eight, required to accom-
modate itself to fifteen or sixteen; for often,
on the very eve Of dinner, would Sir JOSH
VA tempt afternoon visitors with intimation
that Johnson, or Garrick, or Goldsmith was
to dine there. Nor was the want Of seats
the only difficulty. A want Of knives and
forks, Of plates and glasses, as often sue
ceeded. In something Of the same style
too, was the attendance; the kitchen had to
keep pace with the visitors; and it was
easy to know the guests best acquainted
with the house, by their never failing to call
instantly for beer, bread, or wine, that they
might get them before the first course was
over, and the worst confusion began. Once
was Sir Joshua prevailed upon To furnish
his table with dinner glasses, and decanters
and some saving Of time they proved; yeI
as they were demolished in the course o.
service, he could never be persuaded to re
, place them. But these trihing embauass
ments,' added Mr.. Courtenay, describin!
them to Sir James Macintosh, only servet
to enhance the hilarity and singular pleas
, ure Of the entertainment 1t was not tn,
wine, dishes, and cookery, not the fish ant
venison, that were talked OF or recommend
ed; those social hours, that irregular con
vivial talk, had matter of higher relish, an,
fare more eagerly enjoyed. And amid al
4 the animated hustle of his guests, the hos
sat perfectly composed; always attentive
e what was said, never minding what was cd
1 or drank, and leaving every one at perfeC
: liberty to scramble for himself. Though S
= severe a deafness had resulted from col
. caught on the continent in early life, as I
. compel the use Of "a trumpet, Reynold
= profited by its use to hear or not to hear, {
a as he pleased to enjoy the privileges {
;. both, and keep his own equanimity undi
!, tufbed. 'Heis the same all the year round
!, exclaimed Johnson, with honest envy. Il
4 illness and in pain, he is still the SAM
Sir, he is the most invulnerable man
e know; the man with whom, il you shOul
quarrel, you will find the most difficult
- how to abuse Nor was this praise OIL
| tanned by preference of any, but by cordi
a respect to ALL for in Reynolds there was I
% little Of the sycophant as the tyrant. How
y ever high the rank of the guests invited, |
!. waited for none. His dinners were serve
- always precisely at five o'clock. His W,
= not the fashionable ill-breeding, says Nj
Courtenay, which could wait an hour {,
/ two or three persons OF title. and put Il
n rest Of the company out Of humor by Il
= invidious distinction.-Life and Adrentur
of 0lirer Goldsmith.