Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-11-07
Communicated
/" AUTOCRAT OF THE DINNER
TABLE,"
Communicated
VIRGINIA CITY, Nov. 8.

was AOPo Al WIG AolHI VI Jouiuui.
From its many imperfections it was
evidently never intended for pub
LEGATION; but being much pleased
with it, I found but little tronble
in arranging it in form which /
hope will afford as much amuse-
ment to your readers as it has to
me
Emerson, the " American Philos-
opher," has written a charming
little book called the "Autocrat of
the Breakfast Table," full of the
finest wit and most genial philos-
ophy of any American writer, and
not excelled by that of any country,
in which he describes the breakfast
conversations - always pleasant,
sometimes sparkling with wit
and quaint bits of such natural
reasoning that the scratch inflicted
by sarcasm is quickly healed and
forgotten in the general flow Of
happy humor, which everywhere
seems inseparably connected with
the consumption of tempting
viands.
But let me first describe the lady
who keeps the house where our
Autocrat reigns, before introducing
his subjects as a knowledge of a
country often enables us to better
understand the disposition of its
inhabitants. The house is kept by
Mrs. Summers, lady of uncertain
age, upon whose brow still fingers
the traces of youthful beauty. She
does everything which her lengthy
experience can suggest, that will
contribute to the pleasure aud com
fort of her boarders. Her table is
nnexceptionable, every dish being
sweetened by the smiles of Norah,
who waits upon all in a manner so
agreeable as to even endear her to
our Autocrat.
Our Autocrat sits at the head of
the table, and while carving steak
or turning a joint, rarely fails to
give US some witticism, which sets
US all in good humor, and does
each with a grace that is only ac-
quired by experience.
l would not like to guess at his
years, for while his hair and beard
is quite dark, age, never to be
blindfolded, has left It's undeniabie
marks upon him but the sperkle
OF his eye, the joyous flow of
spirits, aud the happy smile which
ever encircles his face, indicate
youthfulness that age can never
quench. His wit too often takes
the form of pun, and | believe
were one to quote DIR. Johnston's
opinion on that subject, his defense
would begin and end with one.
All, how he loves pun T! To watch
his face while making one is treat,
often better than the pun. Now,
see the quiet smile coming from
the corners of bis mouth, and
gradually covering his whole
face he appears to roll it around
his mouth, as a boy does sugar
PLAN, and when he has enjoyed it
sufficiently him self, he let's it drop
bnt, too often, like the boy with his
plum, he has retained all lie sweet
ness to himself.
70 his right sits a heavy, sombre-
faced German, who makes up in
shrewdness what he lacks in intel
lect, and mistakes a brutality of
speech for witticism. From his
general bearing l shonld Judge he
might some day have been a second
or third mate on a small coasting
schooner. Next sits an editor,
whom our Autocrat says has "some
talent, a little coarse wit, and no
refinement" This may be so, but
as he is the target for every sarcas-
tic shaft, it necessarily requires an
occasional answer coarser than the
refinement of true wit admits of
bnt he believes in defending him
self with the same weapons with
which he is attacked. His good
humor is certainly commendable.
for were any of the others subjected
to the same ordeal through which
he daily passes, / fear even the
Autocrat's commands would be lost
in the confusion which would fol-
low. To the editors right sits the
most pleasing member of our table.
Gentle in appearance and kind IN
heart, he says the most generous
things with a knightly grace, and
is beloved by all. Next to this
gentleman sits young man OF
whom, as yet, l know but little.
He may be witty, but has not yet
said sharp thing, and only recog-
nizes the Autocrat's puns with a
quiet smile and while he has never
Joined in the attack ON the editor,
has not the courage or ability to
take up his defense. / am inclined
to think he occupies the same posi-
ton in society that a cypher does
in arithmetic - alone, signifying
nothing, but collectively, adding to
the value of superior number.
Next comes yonng gentleman OF
prepossessing appearance, whom l
shall designate as the Virginia
Blonde" 1t is easy to see, from
the uncertain rolling of his large,
blue eye and the undue length of
his golden locks, that he is intense
ly poetical. He generally directs
his conversation to the ladies,
deeming its refinement and ele-
gance raore acceptable to their ears,