The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-22
MATTERS IN EUROPE.
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Our London Correspondence.
LONDON, Dec. 80, 1859.
Disasters to Steamships in the Past YearLeray Progress
and Literary Resanion-.Sam Leuer Sings Song
Shakere in America-An Explanation of Albert ymsts
Wness-Mdga=ine Profits and Editors Chances, dc,
The Board OF Trade inquiry the loss of the British
mail steamer Paramatta has just closed, aud resulted
the taking away Of Captain Bayntons certificate for
twelve months.
1t has been disastrous year in steamship navigation
and very remarkable; three four of the finest
steamers in the British mail service have been wrecked
in consequence of misconduct or incompeency Of the
commanders, and or two OF these laid their ribs
and kees on the iron bound coasts OF North America
Literary Affairs at the close Of the year very active
On the ed inst was . guest OF the vice chairman,
Alfred B. Richards. Esq, at the Reunion Literary Club,
Oh the occasion Of the annual supper. James Love-
editor of the Critic was in the chair. There pre-
sent at least ono hundred members of the Club together
with about half dozen guests, the chairman and vce
chairman and two other officers OF the Club being alone
privileged to invite two OF their friends Samuel
Lover Esq. (ory OMoore), was one Of the convires,
aad stated afterwards that it was the second most de-
lghlul evening he had ever passed. l only re-
member some OF the names. Robert, otherwise Bob
Broagh Frank Tafourd, Godfrey Turner Alfred Mellon,
journalist and historian he spo favorite of the Club
George Augustus Saa, Blanchard Colonel Addison, Hoi
ling Ernest HART Durham the sculptor, Morgan
John OConnen, Plny Miles Of New York, and many
others present The music delightful, and en-
braced the services Of Perrin Of the finest enors OF
the day, Herr Luzer Lazarus Grattan Cooke &C., &c.
Lover sang two Of his newest ballads One the Eng
lshmsns double barrel (beer and rifle exceedingly
neat and the singer gave with good voice aud perfect
taste. Mr.. Lover is now seventy years Of age
The Chairman proposed the Club" 10 a clever and hu-
morous speech, and the Vice Chairman Literature In
this speech Mr. Richards dwe orcbly on the effect of
shaksperc's upon the great American people lie
alluded burlesQue lately produced upon the British
STAGE wherein the egy OF the bard to rise up
from trap door reproach to those who took such
liberties with his works The speaker said that without
any table rappipg the spirit of Shakspere would ne
evoked hosities about TO commence between Eug
lard and the United States and forbid the ratrleidal
strife. Americans would could forget that they
parakers OF that glorious heirsaip Of i'm
mortal fame was glad to note the applause TIA. fol
lowed this sentiment.
The toast OF the Army and Navy" was coupled with
the Volunteers, of whom many we're present
The Fine Arts . the Drama" &C, followed.
The Medical Profession and the Sciences" was adm
raby responded to by Mr. Ernest HART one Of the most
promising Psychologists Of the day.
Then the club presented, by the hands of the Chair
man Mr. Lowe testimonials to Messrs Levey and Bates
the honorary secretary and treasurer in recognition Of
their va!cabe services. did not wait until the end, but
six the next morning. II is only once year, aud
literary men are accustomed 10 late hours
was sorry to miss, amongst other good things two
three songs from Brough, who is the prince OF good
fellows with heart big enough TO supply the whole Of
ordinary club and as comic, when IN the ven as he
il genial and full Of genius.
This club consists of between 200 and 800 members
comprising much of the working wit and talent of Lon
DON consists Of authors journalists, dramalists, art
ss actors and singers and includes in the number many
members Of the learned professions There several
editors OF newspapers in the club The club which
NJ ba js yyusob
but the club only meets formally three times week.
Altogether is the most go ahead literary and artistic
old athenaums and such like fossil repositories of used
up inellecs 1t is not wealthy, but rich in soul is not
proud, but exclusive, nasmuch naughty airs and
snobbsh graces are allowed.
Thackeray is not amember, Mr. Dickens nor Albert
Smith, nor was the late Lord Macaulay. The
first two are, I told, not particularly wanted ;
the third capital fellow, is, until his sad illness
too busy and the fourth attained fame and celebrity be-
fore the Reunion Club started.
Aproo of Albert Smith some wicked wight has spread
report that his Hines feigned to what the world
would say, and to get holiday: could pardon it,
the story in the Arabian Nights, wherein the Sutans IA
vorite and his wife, the Suanas fayorite feign death
patroness respectively In this way. Albert might
have got tired Of his daily need Of fame and have wish
ed to start new stock by coup de theatre No such LUCK
fear.
do not think that the Co7h;u Magazine will succeed
in spite Of the enormous putting which has ushered the
first number into the world
is said that seoo has been given to Saa for twelve
articles! Without questioning anything which pays
authors so well want to know how the duness Of "Tro
iope, the worst thing ever written by the otherwise
inmitable Father Prout Thackeray and water of the
late strength weakness and ucubratons of old Cmean
fogeys upon "Defences" will pay at this fprices 1t
won't pay Fifty Macaulays could not have done IT, with
fifty peerages to boot Funkcysm do it, in
the colossal frame Of Ttmarsh Smith and Elder can't do
IT, You could hardly do 1t in America Barnum couldn't
do it, Blondn could not do it. Nothing save the New
YORK HERALD could do it, and you would see the Corn
hill Nd9dzine at Cairo first.
Ipredict years life to this magazine and then the
bantng will die Of neglect and being overain like one
OF the twins of Sclomons Judgment by too heavy pa
rent twopenny number of Bob Brough's Serials the
"Wecome GUEST is infinitely better reading. Mr.
Thackerays Scholars" and "Ladies and Gentlemen
are too select and limited to pay the requisite number
shillngs. Besides they as stupid as the stuff
thus catered for them by the great lecturer who SO need
lessy reserved the copyright Of his lectures America
according TO your dictun.