, 1861-07-11
A Book for a Dinner.

iilustrous Alexandra Dumas and how, on the
occasion Of the memorable Spanish marriages,
he jOurneyed to Madrid as the Official historian
Of the events he came to witness Everybody
knows, too, the reputation acquired by the volu.
minous novelist, who is popularly presumed ia
write six novelsa day, with pen in each hand
and four amanuenses continually around him
each receiving distinct dictation from his lips
But everybody may not know the way in which
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 i'm on the
road, to enjoy the delights of o solitary stroll
Beho!d him wrapt in the busy realms of rO-
nance, his mind busy in the construction Of
complicated plots, and his thoughts entirely en-
crossed by the dilemma into which he was
about to plunge his chief character. Thus oc
cupied, he very naturally loses bis way, and
awaSes from his day-dreams to find he has gol
entangled in the mazes Of q gloomy wood, with
the shadows of twilight deepening around him.
He has left word for his attendants to follow,
and he now shouts for their aid, but in vain
nothing overtakes him but night, and this he
has the prospect Of passing dinnerless and sup
PEERLESS, in the midst Of tangled thicket. Now,
although this is an interesting eituation for a
novelist to place his hero in, it is by no means a
very agreeable position in reality for the novel.
list himself; and as he gazed around, doubtful Of
his own safety, he suddenly saw some figures
advance from an opening in the trees, which did
not contribute to re-aSsure him.
"Bah!" cried Dumas, slapping his breast to
arouse the dormant courage within, "there are
no robbers in this part Of Spain"
But unfortunately, at this crisis, something
startlingly cold touched his ear it was the
shining barrel Of o veritable carbine. Dumas
jumped round, and found himself surrounded by
some half duzen Unlocking ruflians, all armed
to the teeth aud seveIally directing their threat
ening muZzles at bis head, which at that moment
the great Alexandre felt painfully insecure.
The chief Of the gang advanced quietly, OBJ
serving, with a graceful bow:
"Iou will excuse me, signor, but will you
have the kindness TO follow uSI"
How il refusei" stcrnly inquired Dumas,
with melo-dranaIc flourish Of his cigar case,
which he made to look as much like 4 pocket
pistol as possible.
ain that case" returned the bandit, an.
Dumas will acknowledge that he places q less
value on his head and its contents than We do"
The author replied approvingly at the implied
compliment, and as he felt his vanity fattered
by recognition so singular, he snbdued the
high tone Of bis first excitement into q aQuiet tone
Of Interrogation:
"WhO are your"
"My name, signor, is Luigi Vampa, who,
thanks to the indiscreet revelations you have
thought it to make concerning me in your justly
celebrated romance Of Monte Christie has been
forced to leave Italy and commence practice here
in common with the gallant gentlemen to whom
have now the honor to introduce yOu."
"lndeedw calculated Alexandra. "And
what may be your pleasure with mel"
Business, signorl You will, perhaps, be
good enough to iOllow!"
Finding resistance was useless, and, perhaps,
desirouS Of seeing the end Of an adventure 80
curiousy commenced, Dumas obcyed. Ater
q rapid march Of about quarter Of an hour the
bandtti arrived, with their prisoner, OF sort ol
cave, situated in dense part Of the forest and
conducting him into Q small cell scantily fur.
nished, aud apparently cut out Of the rock, they
left him to his meditations. Ii was late, and
Dumas having had nothing since breakfast, felt
the appetite Of wolf stir within him. He was
getting positively voracious; so, shouting loudly,
to make his hunger known, Vampa himself
made his appearance.
"What does the Signor do US the honor Of
requirngi"
"DinnerI'
1.-The signCr will, perhaps, examine our bill
Of fare, aud, above all, our prices"
And as the brigand politely placed the paper
on the table, Dumas read as follows:
Brcad-tive pages; Soup q 10 Mulligatawny
ten pages; Roast Fowl-One sheet; Ditto
aux trufE s-two sheets Vim Ordinaire-half-
sheet; Creme q Ia Portuguese-ditto; Burgundy,
per bottle-three sheets; Dessert-twenty pa
ges; Cgars-ten pages; Waiter five pages.
"Come," said N. Alexandra, ait is only one
volume for dinner. Let it be got ready at
once"
"The Signor must know that we give no
credit; and as our dishes are perfectly fresh, 50
we expect to be paid in original matter. The
SignOr will not deceive us in this point"
agreed" said Dumas. "And now, what
o'clock is it?"
Eight Signor.'
Then order my dinner to Le ready at half
past ten precisely"
At II o'clock Dumas sat down to q superb
banquet, magniticently served, composing the
whole Of the articles enumerated in the bill Of
fare; Just as he had finished, Luigi Vampa
made his appearance wi h some more cigars and
tempting bottle of curiously pale cognac.
"Well, y" laughed Dumas, struck by the oddi.
ty Of the whim, " new you have got my romance,
what are you going to do with III"
"Signor," replied the hrigand, al shall in.
stanty cause it to be translated into Spanish and
published in my paper the Herdtdo, Of which !
have long been the proprietor. Excuse the
little project to which we have had recourse; il
was our only chance. You gain 10000 reals,
and we 10000 new subscribers, for which sum,
continued the pretended robber, taking it fiom
his pocket, " shall trouble you for receipt"
Thus terminated the most singular literary
dinner on record; and the next morning the
HerdldO announced, in all the confidence oI
large type, q forthcoming romance. entitled
80 The Kings Of Leon BY SisnOr Alexandra
Dumas"
The habit Of drinking can he cured By giving
the drinkers all the liouor thev want IN drink n