New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-27
THACKERAY
How London Will Celebrate His
Centenary.

LOnnOn, May IL.
The hundredth anniversary of Thack
erays birth in India falls on July Is.
The Cornhill," of which he was the first
editor. will celebrate the event in the
July number by quaint and delightful
poem by Mr. Austin Dobson, which
have had the privilege of reading in adj
vance Of publication. Benchers and
Carthusians must dine when they can
the celebration of the centenary becomes
movable feast. The commemorative
dinners. receptions and exhibitions cover
the span of two months. between the
middle OF May and the actual birthday.
The Benchers of the Middle Temple
| have an excuse for anticipating the
actual date. for Thackeray was called TO
the bar on May %, 1S4s, and they can
That call was a belated social function,
when he was already committed to liter
allure and Vanity FAIR was making for
him an enduring reputation. There may
magistracy for him. but nothing came of
IL. for he never had any idea Of practis-
ing law. He first occupied chambers in
the Middle Temple as early as 1881. after
his premature retirement from Cam
bridge without a degree the loss of his
patrimony by speculation, card playing
and injudiciouS investments and his des-
ultory art studies on the Continent He
settled in Brick Court. where Blackstone
had labored and Goldsmith had lived and
died. If there was any serious conflict
between Law and the MUSES. as the
genius Of the place. he followed his own
inclinations toward bohemianism Sub
sequently he had chambers in Crown
Office Row. where Lamb was born That
was the old building which was replaced
in time by modern structure on the
edge of the Temple Gardens Thackeray
shared the third floor OF No. Hare
Court with Tom Taylor. and Pendennis's
rooms were probably in that quarter.
The Benchers at their dinner this
anything OF Thackeray's career at the
bar. They will have to fall back upon
the literary associations OF Pendennis
and Warrington with Lambs Court"
and 10 identify. II they can do So Philips
chambers in the Temple. The Carthu-
slams will have an easier task when they
hold their commemorative dinner in
June. The familiar landmarks Of
Thackeray's and Colonel Newcomers
Charterhouse remain although the old
school has been transplanted 10 Godal-
ming. and the Merchant Taylor's school
Is now In occupation Of the green and
the cloister court with new buildings
There will be a service in the chapel
which the master will conduct. with the
help Of one of the old boys. AFR. Cyril
Maude, In reading the lessons. The breth-
rem In residence viii be Toasted In honor
OF Colonel Newcome. who was schoolboy
and pensioner and the Lord Chief Jus
tice, another old Carthusian. will have
the seat Of honor in a brilliant company
or literary men. When the memorial
toast TO Thackeray has been drunk In
silence around the mahogany tree"
there viii be . reception 10 his daughter.
Lady Richie. in the masters house.
Not long before his death Thackeray sat
IN MS favorte seat in the chapel on
Founders Day. and with his schoolmate,
John Leech. beside him at dinner. pro-
posed the toast, The Charterhouse."
The Charterhouse where Thackeray
was at school for six wears is whisper
ing gallery OF literary "reminiscences.
His bed has been moved to Godalming