Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-18

Il
was due to Sir Joshua Reynolds. Rey-
RODS was himself hospitabls en;er-
tainer. For above thirty years." says
Malone. his biographer. ''there was
distinguished in literature, art law,
politics or war who did not occasion
ally appear at his tables" His dinners
were famous. This was not because of
the material pleasure they afforded. for
generally more guests we're invited
waiting. We are told, at was every
man for himself" It was because OF
the feast OF reason and the flow of
sour' which invariably accompanied
the dinners. The enjoyment which
these promiscuous gatherings gave
suggested to Reynolds .he idea that q
definite association should be formed
by which good fellows" nf kindred
spirit could regularly assemble for
mutual delectation. Johnson fell in
with the idea and at once set about
carrying 1t out. He had established
such an association some fourteen years
before. and the memories of it's meet
ings were very dear TO him. So upon
the model of Johnson's Ivy Lane club
OF lioo the Literary club Of 1854 was
auspiciously formed. The original men,
bers were nine. Six Of them were
among those described by Macaulay in
the passage above quoted-Reynolds
and Johnson, Goldsmith and Burke.
Langton and Beauclerk. Garrick was
not admitted until 1773 Jones was ad-
mitted the same year. Glbbon was q
later acquisition.
At first the club met weekly on Mon
day evenings at I. In 1772 the day OF
meeting was changed to Friday In
1I15 1t was decided that the club should
dine together once in every fortnight
during the sessions OF parliament. Tho
historians Macaulay and Hallam were,
In their time constant attendants at
these fortnightly seasonal dinners
The club began with a membership
fixed at nine. This was soon enlarged
to twelve. Several engagements were
subsequently made. but In 1880 the
number was definitely fixed at forty.
The original place of meeting was at
coffee house called the Turks Head,
in Gerard street. and this is the place
OF meeting most famous in the history
in the club.
II believe Mr.. Fox will allow ME to
say, remarked the Bishop of st. Asaph
on the night of his election, that the
honor Of being elected into the Turks
Head club is not inferior to that OF be-
Ing the representative of Westminster
or Surrey" The point of this remark
lies In the fact that Fox, after one OF
the fercest fights known in parliament
airy history. the whole strength of tho
court and government being directed
against him. had just been elected
member of parliament for Westminis-
ter.
One OF the original members OF the
club was a Sir John Hawkins, n pom
pous. conceited, parsimonius" attorney.
who afterward became n -bioGrapher of
Johnson. Hawkins had been member
of the earlier Ivy Lane club. and for
that reason Johnson. in whom tenaci-
~ of friendship was the strongest OF
characteristics, had proposed him as a
member of the club in 1864. But Haw-
Il In h0n ms. ilnr tn, he
club that even Johnson was forced to
admit that he was "a very unclubable
man" and out of place there. Finally,
because of his rudencss to Burke. he
was 'elbowed out" Hawkins had OBJ
jectcd TO Goldsmith's being n member
alleging that Goldsmith was n mere
literary drudge. equal TO the task of
compiling and translating, but little
capable of original and still less OF
poetic composition" And yet Gold
smith had already written THE Vicas
OF Wakefield" and in L year or two
more was to be recognized as the first
poet of his age.
Hawkins. however. favored Garricks'
professions TO membership. Johnson,
with obstinate Inconsistency. objected
to Garrick. "He will disturb us by his
buffoOncry." he said. To his friend.
Thralc, he declared that IL Garrick ap.
piled he would blackball him" "What
sir" exclaimed Thralc. "Mr. Garricl1
your friend, your compa nion-woule
you backball him?" why, sir" re-
piled Johnson, II love my little David
dcarly-better than all or any of his
natterers do. But surely one ought to
sit in society like ours 'unelbowed by
gamestcr. pimp or player"
Subsequently Goldsmith took up Gar
rck's case. 1T would give an agree
able variety to our meetings to have
an Increase of membership. We have
Travelled over each others minds" he
said. There can he nothing new
among us" Johnson reiented. and
once having relented. he cordially aN-
proved. Garrick. though not much
given to clubs, became a valued menu
her. When he died G779) johnson de-
clared the club should go into widow
hood for year" and accordingly no
new members were permitted TO be
elected during the year. Johnson's
IA snifcent tribute VIII occur to every
one. In his Lives of the Poets"
| speaking Of Garrick's death. he said,
in words that seem destined to be i'm
mortal at had ecliiSed the gaycty
OF nations and diminished the stock of
harmless pleasures"
NOte-This study yvill ho oontjo,od