The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-31
THACK ERAY In GEORGIA.


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Augusta (Ga.) Herald.
Here are the facts of Thackeray's visit
10 Augusta:
In an old-fashioned room, quantity and
richly furnished, full of mementos of other
days, interspersed here and ther with mod
ern photographs and dainty bits of bric-a-
brac, known only i'm these later days of the
century in a room dignified with book
cases filed with standard works, and friv-
olous with low chairs and cushioned d.
vans, the story of how Thackeray was en-
tertained there was told. Very few in
passing DR.. Garvin's old home. on the cor
ner Of Broad and Ebert streets, and not
ing the stateliness of its stonewOrk and
the old world fashion of the low-lying YER
anda and iron railing, know that many as
sociationS connected with the great men
of the last century cluster about the place.
OF those entertained by hoSpitable and
brilliant DIR. Garvin, no guest was received
with greater pleasure than was the author
of VANITY Fair"
writer came to Augusta to deliver three of
as four lectures on George l, George IL,
George Ill and George " for the benefit
of the Young Mems Library Association,
then in its infancy.
The association brought many we'll
known men here, but in those days of no
lyceums Augusta was always spoken of
as a graveyard for lecturers, and the re-
ceipts did not amount to very much, so, in
order TO save expenses, the lecturers were
entertained by each member of the associ-
dtibU III IQlD. II was ~ Ii. 1dl III >
time to entertain, and the great man was
not expected, and so the young ladies of
the house were thrown into quite a fiutter
of excitement by the sudden appearance
one cool winter evening of the great En-
glishman, who had been brought I'm by the
master of the house for an informal visit.
One of the young ladies declares her de-
lighted excitement was so great that she
was too breathless to acknowledge her in
PRODUCTION. She was soon sufficiently at
ease, however. to note everything said and
done by their distinguished guest.
The lion did not care to be lionized, IL
was evident, she said, for he was reserved
and cool. even beyord the reserve and cold
ness habitual with the typical John Bull.
All the brilliant conversation of the gifted
host and the bright talk of his young
daughters failed TO thaw out the icy man.
ner of the tall. dignified Englishman, with
the iron-gray hair. rather fiat nose and
steely eyes. 1t was with a sigh of relief
that his entertainers saw Thackeray leave,
but the relief was speedily changed to anxi-
ETY. when they learned that DR.. Garvin
had Hospitality asked him to tea the fol-
owing evening. Probably with the idea
of the early English tea In his mind Thack-
cray arrived at the house several hours be-
was prepared to see him. so again the
daughters were called upon to entertain
him., and again they found the task a hope
less one. He was observant TO an almost
miraculous degree. absolutely nothing said
or done seeming TO escape him.. but he
was entirely unresponsive.
Finally he heard the children playing IN
the next room and begged TO listen to their
chatter. expressing his great fondness for
children, and saying quantity, II do not
keep little boys" This was a relief TO the
girl hostesses. whose embarrassment had
become uncomfortable through the unex-
pected visit of an old lady who did not
catch in the introduction the world-re-
nowned name. and who persisted in enter
tanning the whole company with detailed
accounts of her many ailments. Later,
when supper was over and the wine began
to circulate. Thackeray, under its warm
influence and the magnetic responsiveness
OF the now DIR. H.. v. NJ. Miller. who
had been invited 10 meet him, awoke 20
sudden animation and positively electrified
his hearers with his sparkling conversa-
ton. He was puch more communicative
about hts own works than really great au-
thors generally are. and expressed freely
his sentiments In regard to the children