Thackeray And The Boy Laurence Hutton

In the March Si. Nicholas Laurance Hutton says of his boyhood meeting with the great English novelist: The boy in his time, has been brought in contact with inany famous men and women, but upon nothing in this wliole experience does he look back with greater satisfaction than upon his slight intercourse with the flist great men he ever knew. Quite a little lüd, be was staying at the Pulaski House in Savannah, in 1853 - perhaps it was in 1855 - wlien his father told him to observe particularly tlie okl gentleman, with the spectacles, who occupied a seat at their table in the public dining-room ; for he said, the. time would come when The Boy would be very proud to say that he had breakfasted, and dined, and supped with Mr. Thackeray. He had no idea who, or what Mr. Thackeray was ; but his fatlier considered him a great man, and that was enough for The Boy. He did pay particular attention to Mr. Thackeray, with his eyes and his ears; and one morning Mr. Thackerey paid a little attention tohim, of which he is proud, indeed. Mr. Thackerey took The Boy between his knees, and asked his name, and what he iutended to b3 when he grew up. He replied, "A farmer, sir." Why, he cannot imagine, tor he never had the slightest inclination toward a farmer's life. And then Mr. Thackray put his gentle hand upon The Boy's little red head, and said: "VVhatever you are, try to be a good one." If there is auy yirtue in the laying-on of hands The Boy can only hope that a little of it has descended upon him. And whatever The Boy is, he has tried, for Thackeray 's sake, "to be a good one !"