The hydraulic press., 1861-04-20
A Book for a Dinner; or, Alexandre
Dumas in Spain.

Book for Dinner; or, Alexandre
Dumas in Spain.
In these days of universally disseminated
French literature. everybody has heard of the
ilustrious Alexandra Dumas, and how, on the
occasion ofthe memorable Spanish marriages,
he journeyed to Madrid as the official hstor-
ian of the events he came to witness. Every
body knows, too, the reputation acquired by
the voluminous novelist, who is popularity
presumed to write six novels day, with a
pen in each hand, and four amanuenses
continually around him, each receiving a
distinct dctation from his lips. But every
body may not know how he dined abroad
the day after his arrival in Spain, and so we
may at once, without further preamble,
proceed to enlighten them on this hitherto
mysterious point.
Imagine then, Dumas, the morning after
he entered Madrid, rambling forth into the
country around, leaving his carriage at an
inn on the road, to enjoy the delights Of
solitary stroll. Behold him wrapped in the
dusty realms of romance, his mind busy
in the construction of complicated plots,
and his thoughts entirely engrossed by the
dilemma iutc which he was about tc.plunge
his chief character. Thus occupied, he
very naturally loses his way, and awakes
from his day dreams to find he has got
entangled in the mazes of Il gloomy wood,
with the shadows of twilight deepening
around him. He has left word for his attend
ants to follow, and he now shouts for their
aid, but in vain nothing overtakes him but
night, and this be has the prospect of pass
ing, dinnerless and supperless in the midst
of tangled thcket. Now, although this is
an interesting situation for a novelist to place
his hero in, it is by no means a very agree
able position in reality for the novelist him
self and as he gazed around, doubtful of
his own safety, he suddenly saw some fig
ures advance from an opening in the trees,
which did not contribute to re-assure him.
tsBahi" cried Dumas, slapping his breast
tfo arouse the dormant courage within, ''there
are no roobsfs in this part of Spain"
But unfortunately, at this crisis, something
startlingly cold touched his ear it was the
shining barrel Of veritable carbinc. Dumas
jumped round, and found himself surround
ed by some half-dozen Unlocking ruffians,
all armed to the teeth, and severally direct
ing their threatening muzzles at his head,
which at that moment, the great Alexandra
felt painfully insecure. The chief of the
gang advanced quietly, observing, with
graceful bow:
''You will excuse me, signor, but will you
have the kindness 10 follow us p
':How if l refuse?' stern9y inquired Dumas,
with a meo-dramatic flourish of his cigar
case, which he made to look as much like
pocket pistol as possible.
ain that case" returned the bandit, an.
Dumas will aclenowlege that he places less
value on his head and its ccntents than we
do"
The author replied approvinglv at the i'm
piled compliment, and as he felt his vanity
fiattered by recognition so singular, he
subdued the high tone of his first excitement
into qniet tone of interrogation
"Who are you p
"My name, signor, is Luigi Vafnpa, who,
thanks to the indiscreet revelations you have
thought fit to make concerning me in your
Justly celebrated romahceof "Monte Christie,
has been forced to leave Italy and commence
practice here in common with the gall
liant gentlemen to whom | have now the
honor to introduce yoa."
sIndeed!" calculated Alexandra. "And
what may be your pleasure with me2"
"Business, signorl You will, perhaps, be
good enough to follow ?"
Finding resistance was useless, and per-
haps, desirous of seeing the end of an ad-
venture so seriously commenced, Dumas
obeyed. After rapid march of about a
quarter of an hour the banditti arrived, with
their prisoner, at sort OF cave, situated in
dense part of the forest, and conducting
him into a small cell scantily furnished and
apparently cut ont of the rock. they left him
to his meditations. 1t was late, and Dumas
having had nothing since breakfast, felt the
appetite of a wolf stir within him. He was
.AEz
loudly, to make his hunger known, Vampa
himself made his appearance.
"What does the Sgnor do US the honor OF
irequesting7"
"Dinnerw
"The Signor will, perhaps, examine our
bill of fare, and, above all, our prices"
And as the brigand politely placed the
paper on the table, Dumas read as follows:
Bread-6ve pages; Soup la Mulligata
,wany-ten pages Roast Fowl-one sheet;
Ditto aux trufes-two sheets; Vim Ordinaire
half sheet Creme la Portuguese-ditto ;
Burgundy, per botte-three sheets; Dessert
twenty pages Cigars-ten pages; waiter
five pages.
"Come," said NJ. Alexandra, "It is only
one volume for dinner. Let it he got ready
at once"
"The Siguor must know that we give no
credit; and as our dishes are perfectly fresh,
SO we expect to be paid in original matter
The Signor will not deceive US on this point
agreed said Dumas. "And now, what
O'Clock is it 2"
"Eght Signor."
'sThen order my dinner to be ready at
half-past ten precisely"
At II o'clock Dumas sat down to superb
banquet, magni6ceptly served, composing the
whole of the articles enumerated in the bill
of fare. Just as he had finished, Luigi