Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-01
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY |. 1859.
DOUGLAS JERROLD.


The following extracts from the life of
Douglas Jerrold, lately published by his son,
will serve somewhat to illustrate the charac-
ter of that brilliant and genial humorist.-
Dickens thus tells of Il quarrel the two once
had:
"Of his generosity I had a proof within
these two or three years, which 1t saddens
me to think Of now. There had been an
estrangement between us-not on any per
sonal subject, and not involving an angry
woodland good many months had passed
without my even seeing him in the street,
when it fell out that we dined each with his
own separate party, in the Strangers Room
of club. Our chairs were almost back to
back, and took mine after he was seated
and ut dinner. | said not word, | am sor-
ry to remember and did not look that way.
Before we had sat long, he suddenly wheeled
his chair around, stretched out both his
hands in most engaging manner, and said
aloud, with bright and loving face that
can see as write to you, For Gods sake,
let us be friends again. A life's not long
enough for this"
Jerrold. on summer tour writes thus to
n little god-son at home, aged six: "And on
we slid, past Dion, Chalons, Macon, tasting
the wines, and munching grapes, and some
times tarts with live wasps in them; and so
III the late hours to Lyons, tired to death, to
face the long delay at the station. Riding i'll
to Lyons on u sultry night is like wriggling
into a mouldy melon. stuffed with strong on
ions and cheese; and we looked at each 9th
cr's turned-up noses, and thought OF the
fresh lakes and breezy Alps.
~ ,,,orr;l,, mo r;1a CnJnopa crov-ipr
and singing, and marking down every pretty
spot to come to again, and spend a summer
in it. He has laid ont thirty or forty sum-
mers already, so you see he means to live for
ever as we all hope he may"
"(P. S-By this time Godpapa has list
Of hundred places to spend his future sum-
mers in.-Hurrah!)"
We drive to the Ecu Couronne, Angle
terre Balance All oOzing with life. Not
:: coal cellar for coin or love. Naples, Ge
neva, Rome, Turin--all seem now at Geneva
princes, dancers, painters, conspirators, all
flying from cholera. AT last We hear of
rooms; we drive to them, and find under the
town gate an ancient, dirty, and dismal
Swiss inn, the landlady, of which is rushing
for us-for the English lords and ladies'
together with brandy and water. As we
drink and laugh, spies door in the room
not before noticed, and, trying it, opens on Il
monk in bed 'IIo! no. Cannot this door be
locked?'-'No,' says the landlady else how
will the poor padre come out?' He had actn-
ally no way in or out except through our bed
room, A row, an expostulation, threat OF
leaving, and the wretch was dug out OF his
sleep, bundled off, his room hired for peace
sake. and we fell to rest. In Switzerland the
inn-keepers are mostly magistrates, and the
Church has no chance with Boniface when
MILFORD objects to the nuisance"
Here are some of his ready jjests, at the
Club and elsewhere. "The conversation
turns upon the fastidiousness Of the times.--
Why, says member. they'll II soon say mar
rage is improper NO, no. replied Douglas
.Jerrold, they'll always consider marriage
good breeding A stormy discussion ensues,
during which gentleman rises to settle the
matter in dispute. Waving husbands majes-
tically over the excited disputants, he begins
Gentlemen, all / want is common sense
- Exactly Douglas Jerrold interrupts;
that is precisely what you do want The
discussion is lost in burst of laughter
Douglas Jerroldi is seriously disappointed with
q certain DOCK WTlltcu ny pic VA
and has expressed disappointment. ff1s"a
Il hear You said - was the worst BOOK
| ever wrote Je,roid.-'No, / didn't. |
said it was the worst book anybody ever
wrote A supper of Sleeps head is propos-
ed, and presently served. One gentleman
present is particularly enthusiastic on the
excellence of the dish. and, as he throws
down his knife and fork, exclaims, We'll,
g..
There's egotism""
NV father ordered a bottle of old port not
eLler port, he said Asking about the
talent of young painter, his companion de-
clared that the youth was mediocre. On.
was the reply; the very worst ochre an artist
can set to work with Walking to the
club with a friend from the theatre, some m
1oxicated young gentleman reeled up to the
dramatst and said, Can you tell us the way
to the Judge and Jury?' Keep on a. you
are Young gentleman, was the reply; you're
sure to overtake them"
"A dinner is discussed Douglas Jerrold
listens quietly, possibly tired of dinners and
declining pressing invitations to be present.
In a few minutes he will chime in, 'lf an
earthquake were to engulf England to-mor,
row, the English would manage to meet and
dine somewhere among tno ruppis" u'' '"
celebrate the event. A friend drops i'll, and
walks across the smoking-room to Douglas
.Jerrold's chair. The friend wants to enlist
Mr.. Jerrold's sympathies in behalf OF mu,
tual acquaintance who is in want OF a round
sum of money. But his mutual friend has al
ready sent his hat among his literary breth-
rem on more than one occasion. MIR. IS
hat is becoming an institution. and friends
were grieved at the indelicacy of the proceed
ing. On the occasion to which now refer,
the bearer of the hat was received by my
father with evident dissatisfaction. We'll,
said Douglas Jerrold. how much does -
want this timer '"Why, just a four and two
thoughts will, think put him straight, the
bearer of the hat replied. Jerrold.-'M ell
nut me down for one of the nonghts.