New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
OLD MEMORIES OF AN ARTIST


the editor the London magistrate, the British Con-
sul. lie was wonderful man. with an oratorloai
gift which was truly marvellous. He once ran LOT
Parliament In some Scotch borough, and without
money or family influence nearly succeeded I'D
carrying IT, IN the face of great opposition, by the
sheer force of his stirring speeches Ills feat was
Unprecedented, and considered wonderful at the
time When / irst knew him he had recently
settled In London, and had just climbed over tho
fence of the literary field, where the brambles and
burdocks grow, and was taking observations as to
the best means of getting across lots" He had
been midshipman In the British Navy, aud left the
service ia disgrace owing to some youthful esca-
pade IN the Mediterranean. 1t was case where
the heart and Vi omach oil right, and only his
head and the stewards pantry In fault. lie mad
brought with him 10 London letter OF introduc-
ton to Thaokeray, and used TO tell us youngsters
good deal about the great man, most Of which
have forgotten, but do remember that one OF the
first things Thackeray did to Hannay was to im
press upon his mind that if he ever found himsen
An need of 6vo-round more, TO como to him forth
With. Once HanuRy was complaining TO lhack-
cray that certain editor had cut out the best part
Of one of his articles on the plea Of limited space:
"Oh. yes, know" said Thackeray; "that fellow
would chip the nose off the finest Greek staEue TO
make 1t fit into packing-case."
Que of the prominent winters OF the day, then In
London. was o Reach who insisted on pro-
nouncing his name as though spelled Reeack Al
dinner one day Thackeray leaned across the taoie'
and handing this gentleman dish OF peaches said'
AMr. Reeack, take peeack."
This was not very brilliant bon mot and have
a suspicion of having 1t in print however let
It pass As have said. Hannsy was an ardent adj
mi1er OF Thsckerays genius. indeed were most OF
Dur set, only one or perhaps two refusing to paw
full homage to his genius, considering him
although great writer still as little better than
an inspired butler or valet de chambre-a mGifre
darmes without the Instincts of gentleman. This
view of HIM las a writer, of cOurse) was afterward
expressed in The Saturday ReUieo and cut Ihack-
sray to the quick. 1t was the weakest of his many
weak points, this question OF his being or not
being, considered gentleman. He frequently re-
fers to The Rerieg in his Roundabout and other
papers with the words though The SUpeyine kecieg
save am not gentleman" etc. know that the
unpubiishe criticisms of our party having reached
his ears he telt deeply incensed and struck the
offender frequently when he bad an opportunity
, Hannay helped to collect material for Thack-
eray's -Four Georges" by reading up the subject ut
the British Museum, Thackeray told ne when 1
met him in NewYork at that grand old hospice Tor
all rowing Engiishmen, Judge Roosevelts house IN
Broadway--a house, alas OF which both the soul
and the masonry have disappeared TO give place TO
house. which for so many years was hub of so
eiety. domestic aud impoi ted. Mrs. James Roose-
Welt used to dispense welcome hospitality with
the dignity OF a duchess aud the grace OF an
American lady. Being related through her sister.
Lady Ousley. to several English families, she nat
urally had many travellers OF that nationality &C
credited to her, and as the daughter OF former
Minister to Spain it was equally natural that SIG
should possess a large number OF Contlhentai
friends. The result was That the Judges house was
kind of headquaI tiers tor all FTr''n"am '.''''i
sies travelling in TINS country. Hele Inackcray,
like MANY others. eRfdRt de Jamile. and here
had long talk with him about HaDnay.
sob yes" he said. Hannsy has stuff in him,
and will make his mark lin public life perhaps.
He has many qualifications for such a career. if
his arstocratc aspirations are not swamped by his
plebeisn predictions. 1t 10 question whether he
will pull up IN the palace or the pot-hOuse. but
think he has sense enough 20 stick to the palace:
mean Buckingham not the gin palace, OF course.
Master hannay is rather shrewd dog, with u
Scotch eye to the main chance. and he knows who
keeps the keys of the bread and butter closet and
that St. James draws much better tap. after Gil.
than st. Giles"
asked him whether he intended to write book
on this country to which he replied:
@No-1o. think not. am sure as feel at pres
ent nothing would induce ms to do SO. / like the
people too much
told him that thought that was a rather singu-
lar reason. "Well.' he replied. g. they say. ard |
an afraid 1t Is true shat my men has an evil trick
and these people are 81 thin-skinDed that | am
afraid nothing could write would fan to wound
some If the kind souls who have treated me so
Hospitality and TO whOmI am so much attached 30
think I'd better leave the thing alone altogether"
When In New-YOrk many of Thackeray's friend.
entertained him with little dinners at Demonico's.
Wishing on one occasion to return the compliment
10 three or four of these gentlemen, he invited
them to similar entertainment at the same place.
When he received the bill. eighty odd dollars. he
was Mortified. Good Heavens I" he exclaimed, /
had no idea of the expense to which was putting
NY friends"
The last time saw Thackeray's broad back he
was bending over a dish of fried oysters in DorIonS
place in Futon Market. in company with John
Crerar, of the firm Of 81 K. Jssup Il Co.. to whom
be afterward gave gold pencil Case a souvenir.
In London We organized q debating society called
the Eclectic Club. where Hannay used to come ont
in full force. Once speaking of some ecclesiastical
trial which exciting public attention, he said;
- Then, sir, we should not be shocked We
were in a recent where the name OF the Holy
Ghost was banded up and down the columns Of
The lines as though He were defendant in the &C.
ton
Once calling with him on a friend whose ward
robe was in q somewhat fraiI condition. but who
withal, being a " bit of a buck" managed to pre-
sent rather jaunty appear to the outside popu
lation, we found the gentleman engaged in DTepar-
ing his toilet. in which some pins and strings and
light engineering devices were necessary Ia render
the structure Hannay watched him
thouehtfully for time and then as the finish
ing touch was gven he burst out with admrallon
"By George. E. You arrange your rage more
pictuiesquely than any man ever met" One day
boots on his feet. "ln q lucid interval" ho said
pompously, | bought myself q new paiI Of boots;
and hope yet TO arrive at tho dignity of gloves"
He was on the staff of email comic paper called
The Pappet Sk0w. published by Henry ViZetelly.
who was in the habit of writing han short notes