New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-06
rogers And MRS. GROTE.

From Funny Kenl6Ies Beeords NJ Later Lifs."
| went down to Durham with the old poet, and
was sorry TO lind that. though he had consented 10
pas Mrs. Grote this VISIT he was not IN particularly
harmonious tune for her society which was always
rather a tral to his fs,rldlous nerves and refined
taste. The drive of between three aud four miles
in a fly very different from his own Luxurious car
rlagel through intricate lanes and rural winding
avenues aid not tend to soften IL acerbites. and
perceived at Once on lighting from the carriage
that the aspect Of the place dd not lind FAVOR ia his
eyes Mrs. Grute had Just put up an addition to
her house. a sort OF single wing, which added
gool-sled drawing room to the modest mansion
had before visited Whatever accession of comfort
the house received within from this addition to ts
size. It's beauty externally was not improved by lt,
and Mr. Rogers stood before the Offending edihce,
surveying II with sar1onIc sheer that | should
think even brick and mortar must have found II
hard to bear. He had hardly uttered his first three
dIsparagng bitter sentences OF utter sc0rn and alb
horreuce uf the architectural abortion, winch liz
deed 10 was when Mrs. GrOte herself made her aD-
poaranee IA her nsual country costume box coat,
hat on her head, and stick IN her hand. Mr.. Rogers
turned her with n verluIce smile aud SAID
Just remarkIng that IN Whatever part OI the
world | had this building l should have
guessed 70 whose taste | might attribute It's cree
tiun.r To when, without instants hesitation.
she replied All tits "a beastly thing to be sure.
The cUniOundod WOrkmen played the devil with
thu place While | was away" Then without any
more words she led the way 10 the Interior OF her
habltatlon, and | could not but wonder whether
her blunt stTalghtfOrwardness did not dsconcert
aud rebuke Mr. Rogers for his treacherous sheer.
During this Wit, much interesting conversation
passed with reference 10 the letters OF - dney
smith. who Just dead, and the prOpriety OF
publishing all his correspondence, which. or
course, contained structures and remarks upon
people with UuOm he had been living IN habits OF
friendly social intimacy. | remember particularly
lively discussion OF the subject between Mrs. GrOte
and Mr.. Rogers. Tue former had great many
letters from sydney smith, aud urged the lmD0ss-
bIlitv of publishing them. with ali their comments
on members of the London world. Rogers on the
contrary, apparently delighted at The idea of the
mischief such revelations would make. urged Mrs.
Grote give them ungarVed to the press. on,
. hara fnrr sfqn
Rogers, such a letter "a this about; - 40 see Nv
he cuts up the poor fellow. Ii really never would
do TO publish It,. Rogers took the letter from her,
and real II with stony grin of dlabOlIcal delight
on his cOuntenance and occasional cnucklIng eX-
CARNATIONS of " Publish it publish II! Put an K,
dash, OF an X and tour stars tor the name. lie IA
never know It. though every body else WILL While
Mr.. Rogers was thus detecting himself IN antlcIpa-
ton with Rs execution, Mrs. GrOte, by whose
side | WIS sitting Oh low stool quietly unt0ded
another letter of Syd ney smiths and silently held
it before my eyes. aud the very hrst words IN IL
were most ludlcrous aIluslon to Rogers cadaver-
Gus appearance. As l raised my eyes from TINS
most absurd description OF bim. and saw him still
absorbed IN his evil delight. the whole struck me
like scene IN farce that could not refrain
from bursting out laughing.
One most ludlcrous scene which took place on
this OCCASION ! shall never forget She had left us
to our own devices and we were all In the garden
| was sitting in a swing. and my sister Deosauer,
ana ChOrley were lviLg on the lawn az my rect.
when presently, striding toward us appesreu tIe
extraordinary figure OF Mrs Grote, wno' as soon
as she was within speaking trumpet distance halled
us with sLeDtorian challenge, about some delau
of diuner-I think it was whether the majority
voted for bacon and peas or bacon ann beans
Having duly setted this momentous question, as
Ms Grote turned ana marched away Uessauer-
" no had been sitting straight ur. listening TN his
head first on one side and then on Che Other IKE
an eagerly intelligent terrier taxing no part IN the
culinary controversy Indeed, his entire ignorance
of English necessarily disqualified him from even
compromising ~, bot staring lntently with open
eyes and mouth. at Mrs. Grote-suddeniy began,
with ms hands and lips to initiate tue rolling of a
drum and then broke out aloud with, hditrooEs
Sen raj en- GuerreD etc; whereupOn the terrible
lady faced right about, Like a soldier, ana, planting
her stick in the ground, surveyed Dessauer with an
awful cOuntenance The wretched little man grew
red, aud then purple. and then black IN the face
with fear aud shame; and exclaiming IN his agony,
Al boate! diuiae ellie MA comPrss u rolled over