Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-10-23

Descending the steps which led from the p;ovzo -
convent Garden we entered Evans that abode of sun
per and song, it POLITICALLY termed by its entb
siastic proprietor who meeting us as strangers to do
the honors OF his establishment and having offered us
prellmnary with the we'll bread air of an old courter
pinch OF scented snuff from his golden box led us un
through long avenue of supper tables and resoutelv
happy fellows to the highest seat of the great subter
ranean hall. There was much to be seen and admired
by the way if we trust polite host who had appar
tly all the masterpieces of the English school hanging
from his expansive walls.
There was Garrick by Reynolds san undoubted oro;-
nal-the Mrs. Siddons, ditto, dtto-the genuine John
Kemble, by Lawrence-the Mrs. Jordan and all the
pretty Poys and Doys, the gentleman Johns and light
comedy Jacks of theatrical celebrity and coffee house no
torety and there oracuar Johnson and delightful
laundering Goldsmith painted to the life; but there
was Thackery under no counterfeit presentment but in
life itself, pulling drinking and encOring, life alone
puff drink and encore in genuine chario oScuro of
smoke and tobacco and mist of hot whiskey through
which his great, round ruddy face was shining like a
full red tropical moon. The comic gentlemen having
sung his last stave:
80 sing and be merry for times on the wing
Who knows what tomorrow to many may bring ~
the curtain being dropped and the last drop of punch
drained, we arise simultaneously with Thackery, who
had been seated at the next table, Just in front of the
stage Awaiting ourselves of the privilege of strangers
watch his great towering figure stridng through the
crowd of tables and stters until he takes his seat in
distant corner where he is heartily received with hal
fellow and renewed calls for punch by three other evident
! ly kindred souls
By the aid of our host stimulated by Yankee curiosity
not long in doubt about the company The large
imposing looking gentleman who first fills our ewes is
some one it matters not who. The second one is Now
Bray snug, businessike man, the general manager of
the Times and that little fellow there with the sharp
eagle face and long white hair all pushed back from the
forehead who to do all the talking and full share
of drinking into the bargain, is Douglas Jerold He is
evidently under the full inspiration of the occasion and
his barbed wit is flying fast and frequent and mark ow
he speaks he drives forward that wedgelke head of
his, if determined to open space in the heads of the
listeners for each word he utters and stick it there
He looks older than he is from the whiteness of his hair
and the shrunk appearance of personincreased doubt
less by the loose and ilarranged dress. You would
say at first sight that he might be sxtyve years of age
but as you watched the sharp dartng glances of his
gray eyes-whch though full, seemed small, when con-
centrated in the eageess of his animated conversation
and observe the quick rapid movements of his features
and the lively, muscular action of his whole body-you
not surprised to learn that he is ten years younger
But few weeks since Jerrod thus looked talked and
and set the table in 1t long after midnight
when we left and he and Thackeray and their compan-
ions, were yet in the full tide of joyous convvaty. The
company may have him since in the abode of sup
per and of song" for frequent visitor
than Jerrod; but they will not see him more How the
comic song of that night up again to the memory
hooking sorrow like laughter at funeral!
$50 sing and be merry, for times on the wing,
Who knows what tomorrow to many may brng?'