New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-02

One of S.yiyeller,s BanQuefs.

The inimitable Swiveller has never been
correctly presented on the stage His char
acter is too intellectual to allow the illus
tration of scenic effect or dramatic situation.
There was one charm which Swiveller pos
sessed in common with JOblin. 1t was to
imagine in their poverty that they INDUCED
| in the most magnificent banquets, and to
! fancy in their obecurity that they were on
| intimate terms with nobility. This was the
charm of Dick Swiveller which can not be
dramatically depicted. 1t was thus he
translated the poor little slave of Miss Sally
Brass into the highest rank and granted
her patent of nobility as marchioness. 1t
was on the same principle the small servant
drank wine by putting lot of orange peel
into cup of water and making believe
very strong 1t was, however, at the
grand dinner given by r. Swivel
Ter, ESQ, to the marchioness that his
imaginative genius is displayed in it's
utmost glory. Who does not remember the
courtesy with which he handed the Mar
chioness to the table, and the airs with
which she does the honors of the table.
"James," says Swiveller, "Yes. sah,' re-
spends Dick in tone Of respect. "is that
Burgundy decanted," Gays Swiveller, eyes,
sab, replied Dick. "Help the Marchioness,"
"Yes sah.' "How does this wine please
your ladyship." "Oh, its charming, Mist.l
Swiveller" ,"I assure your lady ship it is
from my estates in France" This panto-
mime is performed with the aid of a beer
bottle which Swiveller draws from the
described in the same imaginative style,
and the marchioness revels in her good
pates and soups a la Julienne. and success
sive courses of the most exquisite entremots
of Paris.
Swiveller and the feasting barmaids
have been surpassed by our neighbors of
the Picayunc, who have given a banquet to
the profession, and followed 1t up by re-
port of the speeches made on the occasion.
These last display the absence of after din
ner inspiration, being somewhat better than
the average postprandial oratory. But why
one of four boasting the largest circulation.
reduce his imagination to practice? Does
he think the press would not send repre-
sentatives, drink real wine, devour actual
victuals and make speeches twice as long
and infinitely more foolish than those put
try it, and there will be such reunion as
has never been since the famous party given
by Hans Breitmann when
Der company fights init der .aple lecks
Till der constable made dem sthOp,
Really, We should like a press dinner at
which all the talent Of the New Orleans
press could be assembled. The press is
greater power than it realizes itself to be.
Its antagonisms divide and destroy this
influence, and so the press suffers the COM
mon consequences of strife. It would, we
suppose, be impossible to get the press
together in any club or association, but
they would assemble at the clash of plates
Or the tinkle of glass, and sur
round the festive board with harmony
and glee. Why, then, should not the |
PIC realize on his mahogany that fanciful |
repast which it has only spread on paper
1t aspires to lead the press. How can we |
determine upon its pretensions until we see |
he scope of its popularity. One of Moliere's |
nen has said the true Amphictryon is that |
with whom we dine. Let any or all of the !
,ivals, each having 1.-THE largest circulation
n the Southwest" accept this test. Let
hem give press dinner each in turn, and
ct us try the extent Of circulation Of bot
les. We will give an impartial opinion.
What says tho press9 Shall we be content
With the imaginary banquet and the shad
IVY nobility OF Swiveller, or shall we de-
nand real repast, and the freedom of
peech upon the inspiration of the "ruby."
Let the press speak.