Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-06-07
,rhackernx as a shorn,an.

The "Monthly Gossip" in the June No. OF
LippincottS Magazine contains this good
story about Thackeray:
Years ago when Thackeray was deliver
ing his lectures on /" The Georges" and the
" English Wits and Humorists" to large
audiences in a Southern city, he asked
distinguished literary man what chance of
success there would be in q certain other
city not many miles away. Lft
I" i really don't know, Mr.. Thackeray,"
was the reply. 81 never succeeded there
but am nobody, and you are a great gun.
1t seems to me you ought to succeed any
where. Still, l cannot conscientiously ad-
wise you to make tie attempt you might
possibly fall and lay the blame on rne."--
After some reflection he added: /" Perhaps
if you were to make a special lecture, CON-
parts of two or more of your series, you
might draw tOlerably good house. But ]
will not guarantee anything"
Thackeray thought the matter over, &C.
cepted the suggestion, made up the COM
pound lecture, advertised, "billed the
town." and went over.
On his return his friend met him at the
cars, and, after the usual greeting, said,
"Wel. sir how did you make out ?" ar pa
ooh ~ said Thackeray, merrily, 81 have
been playing the mOuntebank for six
pence"
''What do you mean by that?"
s'Tho night, you know, was ii wretched
one. The audience was thin, not above
fifty or sixty persons, and more quiet
and absolutely sober set / never attempted
to entertain. l did my best, but SO pro-
found was their lespect-their awe L may
say-Of me that not a murmur OF applause,
! not ghost Of smile escaped them.
SOlemnly, sincerely, piously, they stared at
| a., l,.lt. InE nItf,hf | ,1yaS
preaching u funeral sermon. At tie close
! Of the lecture l faly expected committee
! to come forward aud request copy OF my
/ obituary on tie Georges for publication in
I the morning papers. and / felt disappointed
! that the doOr-keepe" did not stop Dle as j
went out to put Grape OH NY arm and
weeper on my ha. j. Was truly solemn
and refreshing scds9N. ....
The next moIu-a-, afler paying my
advertising bills aHI lie hotel charges,
found | had cleared enough TO pay my re-
turn fare IT, this place, and five dollars
over. CongratulatiHg myself on this fact,
| strode ubilantly down TO The station, and
was in the act Of stepping on the. train
! when felt myself touched on tine back.
Turning around 1 beheld small man with
the aspect OF a turnkey, who, i'll no COM
plimentary terms, made inquiry, 'Ain't
You man by the name Of Thackcray 2
"'Ihat is my name, Sir
"'Well, didn't you give a show Lere last
night p
".Why, yes, l think it was decidedly
show .g4.
..sWell. thar's Il law i'll this town that
anv man tIat gives show las got to pay
five dollars license for a-2ivin' NV the show,
and you didn't pay 40 license; and I'm the
sargent NV this town, and here's the bill,
and you got TO pay it before you kin get TO
git in them kee.3.'
"This was too good. harded Inc
fierce little seargeant the five dollars, paid
nv IN .lroa fare out Of my own pocket,
ana so," Concluded Thackaray, with a
ioiis is. II, ~ played the mountebank for
siNre4c-, a.d upon nv honor L enjoyed ii. 2