REMEMBRANCES OF THACKERAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 146, 9 October 1876, Page 2

REMEMBRANCES OF THACKERAY.

As sets-off to liis own exalted view of his profession, Thackeray used to tell some good stories of the frequent absence of its proper recognition, both in and o\it of society. "Who is that lively fellow?" asked a gentleman of his neighbor, at a public dinner in the North, when Thackeray left the room. "Oh, that is Thackeray, the author !" " Indeed," responded the other, " I thought he was a gentleman." Thackeray's first introduction to scholastic Oxford is a better story, and perhaps better known. It will bear repetition. Before he could deliver his lecture on the " Georges" at Oxford it was necessary to obtain the license of the collegiate authorities. The Duke of Wellington was the Chancellor, and knew the author of "Vanity Fair," but he had a learned deputy whose knowledge of Greek was possibly profound, but whoßß acquaintance with English classics was only limited. "Pray what can Ido to serve you?" asked the bland scholar. "My name is Thackeray." '*' So I see by this card." "I seek permission to lecture within the precincts." "Ah, you are a lecturer! What subjects do you undertake—religious or political ?" " Neither; a literary man." "Have you. written anything?" "Yes; lam the author of ' Vanity Fair,'" said Thackeray, conscious, no doubt, of having done something worthy of remembrance. "I presume a Dissenter," said the Oxford man, quite unabashed. "Has 'Vanity Fair' aaything to do with John Bunyan's work 1" " Not exactly," said Thackeray."I have written ' Pehdennis.'" "Js&*9* Aheard of these books," said man; but no doubt they are works. "I have also contributed;io Punch" continued the lecturer. "Purm! I have heard of Punch" said the scholar. "It is, I fear, a ribald publication of some kind."