Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-26
Dickens and Tn acxery al the Banquet
of the Academy of Arts-Their
First NIeetfuD

The Inauguration of the annual exhibition
OF pictures and sculpture. at the Royal Aca-
deny of England was celebrated on the first
of May by the usual anniversary festival
Sir Charles Eastlake. the President, gave as
the last toast, the health of Messrs. Dickens
and Thackery, who responded as follows:
Mr.. DICKENs-"Following the order of
your toast, l have to take the first part in
the duet to be performed in acknowledge
ment of the compliment you have paid to
literature. In this home of art feel il to be
too much an interchange of compliments, as
1t were, between near relations to enter into
any expressions of our thanks for the honor
you have done us. l feel that it would be
changing the splendid assembly into sort of
family party. "A taught may, however.
take leave to say that your sister whom |
represent, is strong and healthy Ia Taught
she has very great affection for, an undying
interest in you; and it is always very great
qualification to her TO see herself so well re-
membered within these walls, and to know
that she is an honored guest at your hospita-
bic board. CHEERS and laughter.1
Mr.. THACKERY-"My Lords Mr. Chair
man, and Gentlemen. permit me to say that
if it had not been for the direct act of my
friend who has just sat down, / should most
likely never have been included in the toast
which you have been pleased to drink; and |
should have tried to be, not a writsr, but a
painter, or designer of pictures. That was
the object of my early ambition, and can re-
member when Mr.. Dickens was a very young
man. and had commenced delighting the
world with some charming humorous works
of which l cannot mention the name laugh
teri but which were cOlored light green. and
came out once month, a laugh that this
young man wanted an artist to illustrate his
writings, and | recolect walking up to his
chambers with two or three drawings in my
hand, which, strange to say, he did not find
suitable. Laughter But for that unfortu-
nate blight which came over my artistical
existence, it would have been my pride and
my pleasure to have endeavOred one day to
find place on these walls for one of nv
performances. This disappointment caused
me to direct my attention TO a different walk
of art, aud now | can only hope to be trans
lated on these walls, / have been, thanks
to my talented friend, Mr.. Egg. [Hear,
hear.1 / shall, however, ever think with
pride and pleasure of my name having been
mentioned from that chair, always connect
ing it with the person who first sat in it.
You, sir, know whence he came, and we,
gentlemen, are all aware that the knight of
Plympton has not left the knight ofPlymouth
behind him. ICheers.l Sir Joshua Reynolds
one of the most delightful of men, and to
have been well spoken of from his chair is
one of the greatest qualifications l could ex-
perience. Hear, hearl The men of my
profession have long been connected with
painters. l myself have had the happiness to
number several among the dearest friends of
my life. You yourself, sir have mentioned
that Goldsmith always attended these ami
versaries; and | understand that johnson.
too was present in the very last year of his
life. Despite the shortness of his breath, he
delighted to walk up the long stairs of the
Royal Academy, and sit at the feast of the
good Sir Joshua. And we who have no
asthma, nor any long stairs to get up Ia
laugh, ] shall always be happy to receive your
welcome and partake of your hospitality"
[Cbeers.l
The chairman then left the chair and the
company dispersed themselves through the
different saloons. lingering till a late hour to
crafty their curiosity in inspecting the col
lection.