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Dunstan Times, Issue 753, 22 September 1876, Page 4

REMEMBRANCES OE THACKER Ai. Ah sets-off to his own exalted view of his profession, Thackeray used to tell some good stories of the frequent absence of its proper recognition both in and out of society. “ Who is that lively fellow ?” asked a gentleman of his neighbor, at a publicdinner in the North, when Thackeray left the room. “ Oh, that is Thackeray, the author 1” “Indeed,” responded the other, ‘.‘l thought he was a gentleman.” Thackeray’s first introduction to- scholastic Oxford 'is a better story, and perhaps better known. ‘lt 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 whose acquaintance with English classics was only limited. “Pray what can I do to serve you 1” asked the bland scholar. “My name is Thackeriy.” “Bo I see by this card,” “I seek permission to lecture within the precincts ” “ Ah, you are a lecturer! What subjects do;you unde t ike—i e ligious or political?” “Neither; 1 am a literary man.” “Have you written anything?” “Yes, lam the author of “Vanity Fair,” said Thacke say, conscious, no noubt, of having done something worthy of remembrance. “ 1 presume a Dissenter,” said the Oxford man, quite unabashed, “Has “Vanity Fair” anything to do with John Bunyan’s work?” “Not exactly,” said Thackeray. “I have written ‘ Pendennis.’ ” “ Never heard of these books,” said the learned man ; but no doubt they are proper works.” “ I have also contributed to Punch,” continued the lecturer. “Punch! I have heard of Punch,” said the scholar. It is, I fear, a ribald publication of some kind.”