Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-02
THE
THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE. 2, 1859.
THE LAST NAN BROrHERHO0D.

THE LAST MAN BROTHERHOOD.
We recently listened 10 tho account given
us by a friend, Of very interesting organi-
with the above title. adopted, doubtless, from
the affecting dramatic story. in which the
sole survivor at q social meeting that had
been held for many years. until all the mem
bers save the lone one had dropped into the
grave-when he, overcome by emoten, as
he SURVEYED the vacant chairs and silent
room, ate his last sad, solitary meal-fell on
the foor and died. The Philadelphia Club
in question, consistsof thirty-three members,
all printers, and we believe it originated
among the employees of this Office. Twenty
companions are enrolled from the Inquirer,
three from the North American, one from
the Press, one from the News, one from the
Government Office. Washington, ID. c., one
from the Office Of Mr.. j.. II. Jones, and the
remainder from other establishments. The
President ia Mr.. Robert Dyball; the Vice
President, Mr.. f. NJ. Meader; the Secretary,
Mr.. Geo. W. Richards, and the Treasurer,
Mr.. VIM. Lowery. No deaths have yet oc-
Cured in the fraternity-no known sickness
and the brothers pay ten cents a year each,
towards q fund to enable that last living
man to enjoy his sorrowful supper. Until
that time shall arrive, the Association holds
an anniversary Festival on the third Satur-
day ofevery February. Yet even after the
final departure of all oOncerned-their shad-
ows, faithful to the protrsiture Of life-will
appear, not as phantoms, but in the veri-
similitude Of men, as every individual of
the company has been photographed by +.
De b. Richards, of Chesnut-street, above
Fifth, in the highest style of solar art
knowing, as we do, most of the originals, we
have never seen better likenesses; and the
entire group has been superbly framed by
Thos. H. Peto. This pictorial display, which
can be seen at the Bookstore Of L. b. Peter
son T. Brothers, No. 306 Chestnut street, for
a few days. will decorate their place ofmeet-
ing at every yearly supper, until all are gone.
Although it will not exactly immortalise
their memories, yet it will probably hand
their images down through several ages, and
faces will become familiar to after days, that
are now chiefly associated with demands for
more copy" and at times with crowding out
'leaders," to the manifest modification Of
editors, and as a matter of course to the great
loss Of innumerable readers. But a truce
TO badinage. While such fraternities are
every way commendable "a encouraging so
cial, friendly, and manly intercourse, the
Last Man Brotherhood awakens emotional
and philosophic thoughts that cannot fail to
steal over the minds Of all who attend the
annual festivals. Among the ancient Egyp-
tians, it was customary at feasts to hand
round a human skull, and show it to every
guest, BY way of reminding him ofthe short
ness and uncertainty of life. And it is
recorded of a celebrated monarch Of antiqui-
ty, that he employed a herald daily to say to
him-"Remember, o! King, that thou art
mortalp' Will not the Photographic paint
ing perform emphatically the Office of the
herald? Undoubtedly it will. Soon there
will be an empty seat-then another-and
another. As years roll on, these will multi
ply-until the ranks are so thinned by the
insatiate archer, that the fleeing and
trsnsitory nature of time and the rapid ap-
proach of eternity, will be impressively felt
By the small remaining band. Their own
departure from sublunary cares, into q bet
ter world, will be too forcibly presented to the
minds of the living, to be lightly disregarded,
and each perhaps will be induced to hope in
the calm language of the Emperor Julian
Pagan though he was)- "May | die a
death without pain and be with the immortal
gods" But Christianity affords a brighter.
a more joyous hope, and through faith, an
everlasting f%ruition. And who are likely to
cherish such consoling sentiments, equally
of awea and resignation, with more soul-in-
spring views, than printers? Intelligent
themselves, they distil through their fingers,
the intellect, the philosophy, the science,
the learning, the logic, and the rhetor-
ic of many gifted spirits-and the seed
is not sown on barren soil. 1t grows, it ger
inmates, it fructiies, and from the harvest.
many an eminent man has been gathered
into the service of the nation-an honor to
himself and a credit to his constituents
But fast speeds the old mower with his scythe.
The grave has received q majority Of our
friends. There are more vacant chairs
The Photographic group tells in silent Ian
guage of ~eloquence and power the story of
those who have gone before, and ~foretells the
destiny of the three, the two, the one-soon
to follow. The many sayings, doings, and
opinions ofthe lost to earth are fondly recall
led. When the last brother, gray-headed,
trembling, and lettering with age, sits down
to his lonely meal, the very air is vocal
with imaginary conversation-the room is
filled to his excited fancy with fairy sprites,
who speak of death, who take the forms of
his loved and departed friends, his memory
that element of Immortality in man
recalls the entire party of his once living
brothers-his hearts best affections burst
forth in convulsive sobs-tears bedew his
furrowed cheeks-his words are broken
his voice e1hales in sighs-he turns away
from the untasted viands-and-hs-but we
drop the curtain!-Rsnnsylrania Inquirer.