The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-30
THE QUOT CLUB.
4 GREAT BYeoNE INSTITUTION

The Men Who in "the 6oco vi"
Assembled nj buchanan Spring TO ria'
Quoits.
In "The Two Parsons" the recently
published work OF the late Colonei Georgc
Wythe Munford, there Is the Following ac-
count OF the Quot Club: A..
To show the class OF men VINO at tnat
day were members OF this Club we WIZ
name John Marshall, the nineni lurist'
ambassador. Secretary OF State, and SUISSE
ouently Chef Justice OF the United STATES,
with his plain, simple, unassuming man
ners and great intellect; DR.. John BROCK.
enbrough, the president OF the Bank OF
Virginia, who subsequently managed us
affairs with such ability and skill; the great
barrister, John Wickham, most courty
and genial gentleman, who pursued ms
profession for more than thirty years win
distinguished reputation DR.. William
Foushee. the head and front Of the medical
profession OF this city; Thomas Ritchie' |
bis son-in.law, who had then but lately
established his celebrated Richmond En-
ouirer, and who was afterwards known as
the Napoleon OF the Press; William Writ, |
the author, scholar, lawyer, clerk OF the
House OF Delegates, judge, and Attorney |
General OF the United States; Philip N.
Nicholas, the Attorney-Generll and Judge |
of the Circuit Court OF the State, and subse- |
ouently president Fl the Farmers Bank OF
Virginia; Daniel Call, leading member OF
the baf, practicing in the Court OF Appeals. |
and the peer OF the best lawyers OF that
day; Thomas rutherford and Charles
Ellis, both prominent, upright, consclen-
tious, influential merchants OF the city 4;
Major James Gibbon, the hero OF Stony
Point; William Munford, q member OF the |
Executive Council, subsequently clerk OF
the House Of Delegates, author OF legal re-
ports, and translator, in blank verse, OF
Homer's Iliad; DR.. Peter Lyons, an emf |
nent physician, a gentleman OF fine acquire
ments and moral worth; Colonel John |
Amber and Colonel John Harvie, the |
Mayor OF Richmond and the Register OF
the Land Office, both worthy progenitors
OF illustriOus families, each OF exemplary |
character, OF wealth, and great popularity;
James Brown, Jr., then most worthy |
merchant, and subsequently Second Audi |
tor OF the State; besides others, equally |
meritorious. full OF life, joyous apd grave. !
in every way qualified to add to the merri- |
ment and sober pleasantries OF such a
party.
TREASURER AND CATERER.
The meetings Of the Club were from May |
to October annually. The expenses were |
met by a regular contribution assessed at |
the commencement OF the season, and paid |
i'm advance to the treasurer This officer |
had the power 10 select two members as |
caterers, who presided at the board on the |
following Saturday. At this time Mayor |
GibbOn was the treasurer, and he had ap- |
pointed Mr.. Marshall and Mr.. Wickham |
the caterers; and as they were bon UiUdntS, |
and had with them old Robin and Jasper |
Crouch, the cOlored caterers, we are GER |
tain they obtained for the dinner the best |
the market afforded. Being cOnnGiSSeurS |
in drinks. too. they would have nothing |
but the best. The rules Of the Club pro- |
hibited wines except upon special occa- |
sions. Julep, punch or tOddy, and porter |
or ale were the ordinary drinks.
THE TWO PARSONS.
Dir. Marshall sat at the head and Mr.. !
Wickham at the foot OF the table. 4 bet |
ter dinner of the subStantials Of life was
rarely seen. The only dessert they in |
dulged in was a steaming, juicy mutton
chop, cooked to a turn, and "deyilIed |
ham," highly seasoned with mustard,
cayenne-pepper. and a slight flayoring OF
along the board. After these condiments |
had been discussed and disposed OF Mr.. |
Marshall said "the treasurer had, ac-
cording to the request Of the Club ut its
last meeting, reminded our honorary men, |
bers, the Rev. John Buchanan and the |
Rev. John ID. Blair, that it would be ex-
ceedingly agreeable to the Club il they |
would meet us on this occasion. and he |
was happy TO see them both present. He |
was also pleased to have received the writ
ten answer of Mr.. Blair, which he would |
read to the Cub" This was received with |
marked appreciation, each member taking |
the cue from Mr.. Wickham, and striking |
the table with the handle Of his knife in |
three successive rounds.
POLITICS TABOOED.
Mr.. Marshall then added: 1T was
known to the Club that two OF the MEM |
bers at the last meeting had, contrary to
the constitution, introduced the subject OF
politics, which ought to be taboOcd here.
and, though warned to desist, had con-
tinued the discussion. The consequence
was that by unanimous vote they had been
fined basket Of champagne for the benefit
OF the Club. They had submitted to the
imposition like worthy members, and the
champagne was now produced as a warn
ing to evil-doers. II was so seldom the
Club INDUCED in such beverages they bad
no champagne-glaSses, and must therefore
drink it in tumblers." Mr. Wickham
begged leave to add, Z" AS nobody objects
to the tumblers, we will drink to the health
and happiness OF our two honorary men,
bers, who have gratified us with their
presence to-day" Parson Buchanan imme-
diately said "that for himself he had no
objection TO a little wine for his many in
tirmities," and he emphasized the word lit
tie; "but he hoped that those who INDUCED
IN tumblers at the table would not prove to
be tumblers under the table" Parson
Blair promptly said: Sin looking around
he saw so many gentlemen distinguished
for their oratorical powers and elOquence
that he had no fears they would ever sink
into pathos, which he would define to be
the art OF tumbling from the sublime to
the ridiculous, and this he considered
would be the case with tumblers under the
table,"
These brief remarks were received with
great pleasure, and, as Parson Blair had
said, 1.-THE table was set in roar" and all
formality was at an end.
JOHN MARSHALL.
In little wnile those who played quoits
quilted the table, and, taking their coats
off, were full OF the game. Many Of the
members did not play, and remained at the
table IN pleasant converse, where jest and
story and song were the order of the day.
Parson Blair joined the quot-players,
while Parson Buchanan remained with the
testers, saying he did not see much fun in
pitching a quot.
Mr.. Marshall challenged Parson Blair to
make up the game, and each selected four
partners. Most of those who were in the
habit OF playing had procured for them
selves handsome, smooth, highIy-polished
hraSs nIlnits x.Linh I.oz.4