London Clubs: Their History & TreasuresNevill, Ralph
History
London Clubs: Their History & Treasures
Nevill, Ralph
Clubs -- England -- London; London (England) -- Social life and customs
“When my spirits are low, for relief and delight,
I still place your splendid Memorial in sight;
And call to my Muse, when care strives to pursue,
‘Bring the Steaks to my Mem’ry, the Bowl to my view.’”
The bowl in question eventually passed into the hands of the present
Beefsteak Club; most unfortunately, it was some years ago taken away by
thieves, who managed to obtain access to the club premises, and it has
never been recovered.
Charles Morris had very slender means to support his family, but owing
to the generosity of the old Duke of Norfolk he was able to retire to a
charming rural retreat near Dorking, embosomed amidst the undulating
elevations of Surrey. Here, however, he seems not to have been entirely
at ease, regretting no doubt the sweet, shady side of Pall Mall, of
which he had so gracefully sung.
The Duke assisted Morris, owing, it was said, to the kindly suggestion
of Kemble, the actor, who one night had been dining at Norfolk House
when the Beefsteak bard had also formed one of the party. When the
latter had gone, a few guests only remaining with the Duke, who liked
late sittings, His Grace began to deplore, somewhat pathetically, the
smallness of the stipend upon which poor Charles was obliged to support
his family, observing that it was a discredit to the age that a man who
had so long gladdened the lives of so many titled and opulent associates
should be left to struggle with the difficulties of an inadequate income
at a time of life when he had no reasonable hope of augmenting it.
Kemble, who had been listening attentively, then broke out in peculiarly
emphatic tones: “And does your Grace sincerely lament the destitute
condition of your friend, with whom you have passed so many agreeable
hours? Your Grace has described that condition most feelingly. But is it
possible that the greatest peer of the realm, luxuriating amidst the
prodigalities of fortune, should lament the distress which he does not
relieve? The empty phrase of benevolence, the mere breath and vapour of
generous sentiment, become no man; they certainly are unworthy of your
Grace. Providence, my Lord Duke, has placed you in a station where the
wish to do good and the doing it are the same thing. An annuity from
your overflowing coffers, or a small nook of land clipped from your
unbounded domains, would scarcely be felt by your Grace; but you would
be repaid with usury, with tears of grateful joy, with prayers warm from
a bosom which your bounty will have rendered happy.”
The Duke said nothing at the time, except stare with astonishment at so
unexpected a lecture; but not a month elapsed before Charles Morris was
snugly invested in a beautiful sequestered retreat surrounded by pretty
grounds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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