The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-10
Thursday. SEPTEMBER 10, 1868.
A LONDON CLUB.

Brookes's, owing to the aristocratic preju.
dices of old Selwyn, who black-balled him
at every ballot. Selwyn was not going to
be elbowed by the son of an actor and the
grandson of n schoolmaster. Fox, who WAS
bent on getting his brilliant friend into the
Club, discovered the hidden enemy by mark
ing the balls. Sheridan then arranged q
pleasant plot. The next ballot-evening
Sheridan and the Prince of Wales arrived
at Brookes's armin-arm, and going into the
strangers room, sent waiter up for Sell
wyn. When Selwyn came, Sheridan began
nearly half an hour. Presently waiter
stroked his chin as signal that Sheridan
was elected. Sheridan then got up, made
some natural excuse for few minutes ab-
sence, and left the Prince to finish the story,
"the catastrophe of which," az he told
Selwyn, on leaving, "he would find very
remarkable" Sheridan ran up stairs, and
was received at the club-room door by Fox,
who formally introduced him to the mem
bers. 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 go up stairs
and let Fox finish the recital. On entering
| the club-room Sheridan rose, thanked Sell
wyn for his suffrage, and offered to finish
the story. ..-...
"Your story it's all lie from begin
ming to end" screamed Selwyn, sitting
down to whist glcomily, amid shouts of
| laughter. ....... '..~.
| Poor Sheridan remained many years a
member, and ran up terrible account
with the house for wine and dinners. When
he was turned out of Office there was talk of
dismembering him, but the cruel threat
was never carried into effect, and the rosy
beguiler 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 Brookes's door two royal
dukes met Sheridan.
The younger said, 81 say, Sherry, we
have Just been discussing whether you are
the greater fool or rogue; what is your OWL
opinion; my boy ?"
Sheridan bowed, smilingly, took one by
each arm, apd replied, "Why, j. faith
believe am between both"
Unfortunately, the point Of this story is
to be found in an old bon mot Of Duns
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's, Sheridan, looking
over number Of the Quarterly, soon after
its first appearance, said "This Mr.. Gift
ford boasts of his power Of comforting lite
rary reputation. In the present instance
| bo 10
none for himself"
The Prince of Wales vas one night al
Brookes's talking a great deal of nonsense
about Darwin's theory that a woman's
bosom is thought beautiful by us because il
our infancy we derive pleasure from its
warmth, sustenance, and repose.
Therefore," said Sheridan acutely
"people who have been brought up by HAND
grow rapturous in after-life at the very
sight of wooden spoon.'
Fox and the Prince both decided that
Sherry had admirably upset Darwin's fan
tastic theory.
Another pleasant scrap Of Sheridan's
humor is the following The conversation
at Brookes's fell one day on Lord Henry
Petty's proposed tax upon iron. Some ONT
said the new impost seemed so unpopular
it would be better to raise a tax on Goals
"Hold, hold, my dear fellow cried Sheri
I dan, emo, no; that would be out Of tht
fryiDg-pan into the fire."
Sheridan was always fond of practica
jokes, and he played an ingenious one OIL
the old Duke of Devonshire one night a
Brookes's. The Duke had introduced thu
custom of taking broiled blade-bone o
I mutton for supper, followed By champagne
or punch. Sheridan came in late and fount
the only blade-bone just ordered by thu
Duke. The wicked wit seid nothing fo
some time, then sldled towards the Duke
table, and began to tell q recent adventur,
of his to Mr.. Hare, who sat by the Duke
Having fallen into puddle, he said, on hi
way from the house, he had gone to dry hi
stockings in the Club kitchen. While there
/ he had seen o hungry lrishman come il
and gnaw prime blade-bone he had fount
on the table. All at once cook sprang a
him, and snatching the blade-bone, threV
it on the gridiron, cursing the Irishman
and telling him it was the only one in tn,
house, and was meant for the Duke of De
vonshire. 81 was resolved" said Sheri
dan, "to tell his Grace of this in case tn,
delicious norcedu should be served up-anc
by Joye yes by Joye! here it is ! -
The Duke made a face, pushed away th'
tray, and called for glass of brandy
Sheridan at once followed the waiter, or
Edered two bottles of champagne, and Sc
cured the savory bone in an unobserve(
corner. u = ID
/ That clustering and ferocious rascal Fight
| inss Etzgerald, who was introduced to Louis
/ XVI. ts an Irishman of good descent, who
had fought no less than eighteen duels, anC
always killed his man, once forced his way
/ into Bfookes's, and tried to cow the club
The impudent scoundrel, who it was after
ward found wore steel cuirasses and coats
quilted with paper, had requested Admira
Keith Stewart, who dared not refuse, to put
| him up at Brookes's. The ballot was soo1
over, but not even one white ball was founC
in the box. The Admiral refused to carry
the news to such desperate madman, ant
tremulous Mr.. Brookes was at last sent Il
inform Fitzgerald that, unfortunately, there
had been one black ball in the box, ant
that there could not be new election fol
another month. -8.
Fitzgerald was delighted; he shook Mr.
Brookes's damp hand "Pm chose, In
chose,' he cried, "and l give ye joy;
shall be the best customer ye ever had bu
as there has been slight mistake of ons
ball, just step up and makemy compliment
to tho gentleman, and ask him to waive al
ceremony and reclect their humble seryan
while he is finishing his coffee"
- The members were panic-struck some
horrible catastrophe was impending. A.
last the Earl of March (afterward Duke
Queensbury), said, e his Irish impu
| - 80. .n,, +,co banu this time