Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-09-14
a London Club. .

Sheridan had a hard matter to get into
Brookes' owiog TO the aristocractic prejudices
Of old Selgyn, who black baled him at every
ballot. Selwyn vas not going to be elbowed by
the son OF an actor and the grandson of a
schoolmaster Fox, who was bent on getting
his brilliant friend int the Club, discovered
The hidden enemy by marking the balls Sher~
dan then arranged pleasant plot. The next
baotevening Sheridan and the Prince of
Wales arrived at Brookes' arm iua arm, and
up for Selwyn. When Selwyn came, Sheri-
dan began rambling political story, which
lasted nearly half an hour. Presently a wal
ter entered entered the room on some pretext
and strokcd his chin as signal that Sheridan
was elected. Sheridan than got up, made
some natural excuse for few minutes alb
the catastrophe Of which, as he told Sci
wyn, on leaving, she would find very remark
able" Sheridan ran up stairs, and Was re-
ceived at the club-room door by Fox, who for
mally introduced him to the members. The
Prince went on with the story for time, then
broke down. and laughing at the figure he cut
asked Selwyn, as Sherry did not seem coming
back, to 60 up stairs and let Fox finish the rec-
tal On entering the club room Sheridan rose,
thanked Selwyn for his suffrage, and offered to
finish the story.
''Your story it's all a lie from beginning to
end p' screamed Selwyn sitting down to whist
gioomilv, amid shouts of laughter.
Poor Sheridan remained many years mem
ber, and ran up terrible account with the
house for wine and dinners. When he was
turned out of office there was talk OF dismem
bering him, but the cruel threat was never car
rod into effect, and the rosy bcguilcr was
never refused bottle at Brookes's when he
called for it.
Many good and impromptu things were said
by Sheridan at Brookes's.
One day at Brookess door two royal dukes
met Sheridan.
The younger said, II say, Sherry. we have
just been discussing whether you are the great
er fool or rogue; what is your opinion, my
boy?"
Sheridan bowed, smingy took one by each
arm, and replied, "Why, i faith, believe | am
between both. " .
Unfortunately, the point of this story is to
be found in an old bon mot of Duus Scotus,
uttered in the French Court many centuries
ago; but still it may have been furnished up
by Sheridan, who was very economical with his
good things.
One day at Brookes' Sheridan, looking ovcr
number of the Quarterly soon after its first
appearance, said: "This Mr. Clifford boasts of
his power of conferring literary reputation. In
the present instance he has been SO generous
that he has left none for himself
The Prince Of Wales was one night at
Broohes's talking great deal ofnonsense about
Darwin's theory that 4 Woman's bosom is
thought beautiful by US because in our infancy
we derive pleasure from its warmth, sustenauce,
and reposc.
Therefore, said Sheridan acutely, "people
who have been brought up by hand grow rap
urous in after life at the very sight Of wood
en- spoon
Fox and the Prince both decided that Sherry
had admirably upset Darwin's fantastic theory.
Another pleasant scrap OF Sheridan S humor
is the following The conversation at Brooke 8
fell one day on Lord Henry Petty's proposed
tax upon iron Some one said the new impost
seemed so unpopularit would be better to raise
a tax on Goals. Hold, hold, my dear fellow,
cried Sheridan, mo, no; that would be out or
the iryng-p pan into the tire.
Sheridan was always fond Of practical Jokes,
and he played an ingenious one on the old
Duke of Dcvonshire one night at Brookcs's.
The Duke had introduced the custom of taking
abroiled blade-boue of mutton for supper, fol-
lowed by champagne or punch. Sheridan came
IN late and found the only blade-bone just Or
dered by the Duke The wicked wit said moth
ing for some time; then sidlcd towards the
Dukes table, and began to tell recent adven-
fqre T1 of his to Mr.. Hare, who sat by the Duke
having fallen into puddle, he said, on his
way from the house, he had gone to dry his
stockings n the Club kitchen. While there
he had seen hungry Irishman come in and
gnaW prime blade bone he had found on the
laole All at once cook sprang at him, and
:snatchng the blade bone, threw it on the grid
Hon' curSing the Irishman, and telling him it
was the only one in the house, and was meant
lot the Duke of Devonshire II was resolved, )"
sad Sheridan, ''to tell his Grace of this in case
the delicious naorceau should be served up
ana by yove!-yes by Jove! here it is!
Inc Duke made a face, pushed away the
a1tay' and called for a glass OF brandy. Sheri-
Iaa at once followed the waiter, ordered two
eoOttles of champagne, and secured the sayory
Done IN an unobserved corner.