Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-21
rhaekeray slae Novelist.

IS William Makepeace Thackeray, author was
born in India in 1911 He is of good family. and was
originally intended for The bar of which be isnow
member He kept seven or eight terms at Cam
bridge but left the university without taking de-
gree, for the purpose of becoming an artist. After
about three years desultory practice. he devoted
himself to literature, abandoning the design OF ma
king position as painter and only employed his
pctoril talents in illustration of his writings
For short time, he conducted literary and artis-
tic review, similar to the Atheneum; but the new
Journal although characterized by great ability,
persisted in competition with established rivals. He
ALSO with the assistance of DR.. Maginn, started
newspaper; but this was unsuccessful. His first
distinction was won as a writer in Frasers Maya
zine,' Punch, and other periodicals of character
In the latter amusing periodical appeared his James
Diary, clever satire on the foies of the railway
mania, exposing the hollow foundation upon which
railway fortunes and regulations were made. His
Snob papers published in the same manner have
since been collected and reprinted with great sue
cess. His satire is as keen that of Fielding His
Paris Sketch Book appeared in 1910. His Irish
Sketch Book, with numerous engravings drawn by
the anthor. was published in 1916 In the next year
appeared his Notes of a journey from Cornhill to
Grand Cairo; and in 1S47 the first numbers of Van
ity Fair appeared, in the proper of their au-
thor. This Thackerays first ullydeveloped novel,
has been follow ed by Arthur Pendennis,' completed
in 1851. His Christmas book entitled The Kickebu-
ries on the Rhine attacked by a writer in the
Tines whereupon Mr. Thackeray replied in very
unmistakeabe way in preface to the second edition
of the work The critic Jared very badly in the con-
test - The charge made against MIR. Thackeray is,
that he abuses the characters of the literary class
with view apparently of catering to public preiu-
dice. We believe that any such mputation is en-
tirely unfounded and that Mr. Thackeray's obser-
vations on the infrmities of authors due to an
honest exposition of his subject Mr.. Thackeray
has lately impaired much delight by delivering lee.
lures on the literary personages of the last century
and in this very act has gracefully raised the public
estimation ofliving authorcraft.
Rather queer circumstance not put down in the
programme of the evenings amusements, occurred at
the Hamilton House ball Wednesday evening
which created no little amusement and surprise. It
appears that some sent invitation to Elder
Knapp the famous revvalist, who holds forth in the
city at present to crowded congregations to attend
| the said ball. This he did, and entering the ball
room commenced praying 10 the vast number who
went to pay their devotions at the shrine of Terps-
ohore, instead of attending prayer meeting; but
! before he had proceeded far a voice was heard
* forward four" The music commenced playing
and the Elders voice was drowned by the noise and
confusion. He shortly after retired.
Chicago Advertiser.
Mr.. Slow DIscouRsErH ON GRAVE Tories
Bimlech, my son. said Mr. Slow, shaking his head
with oracuar and owl like profundity, isn't we'll
to know too much, my boy your father did :;
he knowed too much for that Thoughts is perplex-
in, and the human mind, Bimlech, is too precious
thing to be wore out with too much friction Don't
abuse the gifts of Mater my son, mater s one
of em, she is. Don't investigate anything new my
boy. cause there's thousand old things of more
konsekence to look arter-the first of which is num-
Der New notions perplexes the mind, dear
there's full enough fools in the world, who like to
look after such things, without troubling your pre-
cious head about 'em--'twouldnt be cent of bene-
fit to you. Call EN- all humbug and moonshne, and
them as believes 'em lunatics and scoundrels and
that'll save you many discussion and give you a
character for dignity and prudence, and prudent
folks makes money. Philosophy and sciens, and
them things, is humbugs, and everything is hum
bug but money. Mind tell ye" Mr. Slow ceased;
overcome by his own eloquence
Disputed Title o rano Islands.
Considerable interest is awakened among shippers
and agrcuturists in England TO the merits OF con-
troversy arpresent going on respecting the right of
the Peruvian government TO certain recently discover
ed Guano Islands T. Wentworth Butler, of Exeter,
has written TO the London Times, claiming that the Is
lands of kobOs, in the alnless district of the South
Pacific, and which immense deposits of guano are
found, do not belong 10 Peru. nasmuch they were
not enumerated among the Peruvian possessions when
she declared her independence The isets referred
are the Lobos Afuera. and the Lobos de TERRA the
former lying in lat. 81 S long 80 As w. Mr. Bull
Ier it appears had several times applied the British
government to take possession of the Islands, but
without effect. He concludes his statement by expires.
sing high admiration of the enterprise OF Captain Ben
JdIlii NOTe, Vi d1 AMERICAN DY Wnom
these islands discovered, and who published a
minute account Of them in a hook issued at New York
in 1882, under the name of =" Mores Four Voyages
It is remarkable that in the book is description
of the island of ichaboe, and that acting the nfor
nation there obtained the first ship sailed from Eng
land to load Guano al that deposit On the other side
OF the question: the Peruvian Consul declares that the
above islands included within the limits of Peru
and all vessels against loading there without
proper authority from the government
The Poor Tartar.
When in the thirteenth century, the Tartars led BY
= their chief, Batu Khau invaded Hungary, and King
Bella forced to flee from the disastrous battle
had fallen the field still were batchered BY
the faherless enemy some sought escape, others apa
theticalIy awaited their fate. Amongst these was
nobeman, who lived retired on his property, d;stan
from every high road He possessed fine herds, state
y horses, rich corn-heds and well stocked house
built but recently for the reception OF his wife, who
now for two years had been its mistress
The dishearening account of the general misfortune
reached this secluded shelter, and its peaceful lord
Mortified. He trembled at every second-at every
step; he found his less savory His very sleeI
was troubled he often sighed. and seemed quite los
and wretched
= Thus anxiousy anticipating the days to come, h,
sat at his well closed window, when suddenly Tar
tar on his steed gallopped into the court The Hun
garian bounced from bis seat, TO meet his guest
. and said:
"Tartar, thou art my lord, am thy servant al
not oppose thy power; command, thy obeys'
The Tartar impatentIy sprang from his horse, en-
tered the house, and cast careless glance on all thu
= precious objects around His eve was fascnatod h,