GRACEFUL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 7 November 1891, Page 571

GRACEFUL.

The breakfasts of the poet and banker, Samuel Rogers, were for years one of the social, and literary attractions of Loudon. Eminent men and women were to be met at his breakfast table, and the conversation was lively, graceful, and uninterrupted in its How by the tediousness of bores. Mr Rogers was an agreeable converser, and had the gift, a ■rare one, of living in companionship with his eminent literary brethren, though they were enemies to each other. He could say caustic things, but his ordinary talk abounded in anecdotes, neatly told, illustrative of the power of the affections. His kindness and grace are shown by the style in which he welcomed the poet Bryant to his hospitable dwelling. The story, as told in Mr John Bigelow’s • Life of Bryant,’ relates that Mr Rogers met the American poet at a literary breakfast given by Edward Everett, then American Minister at the Court of St. James.’ ‘ Where are you lodging ?’ asked Rogers of Bryant. ‘ln St. James’s Place,’ was the answer. • Come with me,’said Mr Rogers, ‘and I will show you the nearest way to St. James’s Place. They passed through St. James’s Park, and Rogers stopped at the gate of a small garden, which he unlocked, and led the way through a little walk among shrubbery and trees to a back door, and so into the house famous as one of the most attractive in London. After a little while Rogers dismissed Mr Bryant by the front door, which opened into St. James’s Place, and said, as he parted from him : ‘ You see I have brought yon by the nearest way to St. James’s Place. Remember the house, and come to breakfast with me to morrow morning.’