A SAD ENDING TO A MERRY PARTY.

The following letter from Henry Irving brings to my mind a memorable evening, with the saddest ending to one of a jovial party I can remember:—

“15, Grafton Street, Bond Street,

March 4th, 1875.

“My Dear Tinsley,

“Don't forget Sunday, 21st, 6 (six) o'clock, at

The ‘ Pall Mall.’

All ‘Knights.’

Ever yours,

“Hy. Irving.”

The dinner was given by Mr. Irving to his brother members of the Knights' Club, held at Simpson's Divan in the Strand.

We were very grand when in our old Club-room, when some twenty or more of us were seated at our big-round table. We hob-nobbed and “Sirred” each other, and conformed to rules almost majestic; in fact, some of the old members were always indignant if any rule was broken. I remember I was once late at a Saturday dinner, and the Chairman put it to the company whether I might dine with my brother Knights that day or not. In fact, Irving was a Knight already in those days.

I forget how many of us there were at the dinner in question, I think about forty or fifty; but I remember we all knew each other, so that no trouble was taken to name seats, and we assorted ourselves as we thought best.