New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-16
SOME LITERARY CELEBRITIES
ANECDOTES OF THACKERAY, DICKENS
AND TENNYSON-A QUEER GLIMPSE
STF~NT-NSnN
OF STEVENSON.

Mr.. Charles Brookfeld-son of the Brookfelds
who were among Thackeray's most valued
friends and correspondents-has lately published
his own "reminiscences of various British celeb
rites, together with anecdotes related to him by
his parents One Of these shows Charles Dick
ems in a Enthusiastically whimsical mood. The
elder BrOOkfeld, who was a clergyman, had ac-
cepted a rural living, and he and his wife began
TO fear that they would find the country dull:
Dickens did his best TO cheer my mother on
the subject Are there no old friends living
anywhere in the neighborhood Of Somerby?' he
Inquired Surely there must be somebody you
know within ten miles or SOP" NO" replied my
mother: mournfully, mot single soul Oh.
think there is one acquaintance of my hus-
hands," she suddenly recollected. "A Mr.. Mad
olson fancy the name is. But he is not in
innate friend" "Ah, but that's all rightr'
claimed Dickens, his whole face Frightening.
You'll find Madison a delightful resource.
1ou'n discover there's lot more in Madison
than you ever dreamed there was. Madison
viii become an important factor in your life.
Yes I'm glad you've got Madison" And,
Wrlnglng her heartily by the hand he went his
way
Three or four years later the novelist met Mrs.
Brookfield at a party, and promptly asked in an
eager zndertone We'll, and hoW's Madison
The author, looking into the past, has visions
OF Tennyson drying his tobacco on the fire
shovel, and have not forgotten the Whit which
used to come from his harder, where the meat
had 10 hang till it matured to his liking" He
recalls story told by Brookfield pere, a story
which may possibly be taken with grain OF
salt: MY father dining night at the
Oxford ana Cambridge Club with Tenny
son and two or three others. After dinner the
poet insisted on putting his feet on the table
tilting back his chair more Americana There
were strangers in the room, and he was eXpostu-
lated with for his uncouthness, but in vain.
DO put down your feetr pleaded his host.
Why should /? retorted Tennyson; I'm very
comfortable I am Every ones staring at
you, said another. Let 'em stare replied the
poet, placidly. Alfred said my father, people
VIII think you're Longfellow.' Down went the
feet" Tennyson's two sons Haam and Lionel,
were young Brookfield's contemporaries at Cam
bridge, and Of them he says that Lionel was by
far the more companiOnable of the brothers
HaIlam seemed TO me TO wear the OF Ten
nyson as a kind of levee dress; Lionel wore II
more as a becoming easy jacket"
one day Mr.. Brookfields papa brought
Thackeray home to dinner-unexpectedly alas!
ard Mrs. Brookfield realized with vexation
tlE.t here was nothing TO eat in the house but a
cold shoulder Of mutton. 1T was too late to
contrive anything more elaborate so, to give an
air 20 the table. she sent her maid 10 a neigh
boring pastry cooks for dozen tartlets of
various kinds Which Of these may give YOU?
she Inquired, in due course, of Thackeray.
Thank sou, Mrs. Brookheld,' said he; IN have
tWopenny oneP"
An amusing description of Robert Louis
Stevenson in his younger days is set down by
NJ Bruokfleld, who met the eccentric Scotch
al the SaVille Club. His 'getup' was per-
city astounding. His hair was smooth and
parted in the middle and fell below the collar
q his coat; he wore black flannel shirt, with a
curious knitted tie twisted in knot: he had
Wellington boots, rather tight dark trousers. a
peajacket and white sOmbrero hat. But
rr,n.sf astounding, item Of In his costume