The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-27
ANEcDoTE OF DIR. DWIGHT

In the palmy days of the slow coach and
horseback travelling, many years ago, Joseph
| Dennie, the celebrated editor and proprietor
of the Portfolio, the first purely literary news
paper published III the United States, then is
sued in the goodly city of Philadelphia
Joseph Dennie, We saw or were about to say,
was travelling one dsmally stormy day in No
vember when night drew on, and found him
and his weary nag in the present city-then
town--of Providence, Rhode Island. He
found all the hotels full, and could obtain ''no
accommodation for man or beast" Straight
way he sought again "the best hotel in town."
and told the landlord he must stay there over
night, if he had to hang over chair. The
landlord, well known for his gentlemanly at
tentions to all his guests, told Mr.. d. that
there was one bed in the house which contain
ed only one individual, and that one was DIR.
Dwight, of Yale College. 81 will speak to
him." said he; perhaps he may be disposed
to compassionate your distressed condition."
'Do so,' said Mr.. Dennie, "and shall be
under obligations all my life."
Without being tedious, it is enough that
the landlord prevailed with the doctor to take
ina strange bed-felow for the night.
Being men of literary taste, and disposed
withal to be wakeful, they entered immediate
Iy into conversation respecting books and their
authors, and men occupying prominent posi-
tons in the domain of letters. The DR.. was
disposed to be severe on such as did not con-
form to his standard of orthodoxy, and soon
found his way to the city of Brotherly Love,
and commenced a violent attack,on the editor
of the Portfolio. Now Dennie was well known
as an elegant scholar and vigorous writer, and
to entertain opinions quite untavorable to the
orthodox standard by which the doctor shaped
his creed.
"There's Joe Dennie,'' said the doctor-he
was Familiarity known throughout the country
as Joe Dennie-''a man Of brilliant parts, but
most pernicious foe to the cause of virtue
and religion; a man, | do not hesitate to say,
doing more harm to our young men, through
the columns of the Portfolio, than any ten of
our pulpits can rectify. He holds the lowest
views ofreligion and morality, and is doing in
cacuable mischief"
why, sir do you think so badly of him?''
inquired the doctors dfellow. IL think
you must have acquired your impressions of
the man from his enemies. Do you know him
personally, sir"'
"Oh. no, responded DIR. d., II have not that
honor; but | have friends in Philadelphia who
do and have my information from the most
unquestionable authority
After little further general talk, Dennie
led the conversation by an easy approach to
the college of which the doctor was then, and
for many years after an ornament.
81 have been often surprised" remarked
| Dennie chat a man OF such acknowledged
genius and piety as DIR. Dwight, should have
become such pedant and bigot, as all who
know him attest to be the case, and as nearly
! the whole of his public writings show.'
90 that is not the reputation OF DIR.
Dwight" said the doctor, ''surely you must
have drawn your information. from sources
wholly inimical to Dir. Dwight"
"From his own pen" responded Denne
''and from those who know him best, and a.e
his personal friends" -
! "Permit me to assure you my dear sir"
said the doctor, in considerable agitation,
that you are entirely mistaken in your esta-
nation of Dr. Dwight; | have known him intl-
mately for years, and [ should never have sus-
1 pected him of being either pelGnt ora bigot."
Still" replied Dennie, 81 cannot doubt am
right for although I-have not the pleasure OF
his acquaintance, have my information from
the most unquestonable authority" using the
i doctors own words.
Sir" said the doctor, assuming his most
4 Imposing manner and tone of voice, and partly
turning towards his bedfellow, II am DIR.
i Dloight"
"And I, Sir" quietly responded the editor
of the Portfolio, tam Joe Denaie'' 49,
We opine that the bed was not wide enough
to hold them comfortably fer the balance OF
the night.
Il frA- Observation-Disclosures Sans children-are