Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-26
From the Msw. York National yaduoeatc.
LETTER TO A FRIEND.

-.
now enieavor to give you description OF
fashionable dinner party in town and as you
wish every particular, I'll begin first with the
invitation which is thus Mr.. SO and so re-
quests the pleasure of Mr.. such ones COM
pany to dinner ON Tuesday, the 25th inst. at
o'clock," (which means s.. Abouttwenty
young gentlemen now set down, with appe-
tiles keener than razors-the worthy host at
the foot of the table, anG his amiable lady at
the head, Ga compliment always due to the
wife>-then mock turtle soup is served round
which just takes off the ulrsry edge OF their
ppe:ites--theng mock venIson or fish,
(mock venison, you know, means lne sad
die of fat mutton, which isn't 1goman's or
mans saddle) turkeys roasted or boiled, or
both--ham, roasted ducks, partrldges and
ouaiIs, meats tongue, fried oysters, vegeta-
bles, and large bunch of celery tor the CEN
tire of the table, about the size of fashionable
mammoth nosegay, now worn by young Ia
dies to the city assemblies. After you have
gone the grand rounds among all these dishes,
drank madame's and dozen others healths,
the first cloth is removed, and plumb pud-
ding, whip sillabubs, and variety OF con-
dictionary. make their appearance after this,
the next and last cloth is removed, and fruit
and nuts of various kinds show themselves,
with fresh decanters and better wine. The
lady and gentleman then drink the health OF
their guests all around-madam retiTes-gen-
tlemen respectfully all rise. Now, sir, comes
the tug of war--the worthy host takes the
head as president, and appoints his proche'n
ana, or some older soldier, to the vice pre-
sidency, at the other end then calls upon
his next friend upon the'lett for toast, which
is drank all around, very fair-crack a joke
or two, talk little-cals upon the next tor
a toast, which is also drank all around, very
fair-a little more conversation intervenes,
with tests, anecdotes. repartees bon mots,
&C. and the third gentleman is called upon,
and so on till the whole are gone through
Gentlemen now begin to feel their wine lit
tie, are ready to enjoy song or story
The president calls upon gentleman tor
song, who says--indeed, Mr.. president, I'm
extremely sorry, It's not in my power to give
you song, have such an intolerable bad
cold-whch request is not urged over and
above hard. as The best singers generally are
not asked first, the bottle is sent round, and
another is called upon for a song or story,
who says, Mr., president, Pm very sorry that
its out OF my power to give you song, but
I'll try and give you story /: we shall be
very happy to hear it, sir; gentlemen, Mr.,
Us story; who commences. perhaps, with the
Kilkenny CATS or the "Patent way to kill
flies," to the astonishing entertainment of the
company, who applaud by beating their
hands upon the table, thereby tripping up the
wine glasses, by breaking the bottoms off
Mr.. Us health and story is drank all around
ingreat glee. Mr.. J. its your call, who re-
quests his friend directly opposite to favor the
company with song. really don't know
what to sing, sir, being not much in the habit
of it. Oh! sing any thing" any thing p
that very good song, sir: was afraid it
was rather long, but, however, I'll try and
begin--pipes up to the tune Of old hundred,
a chevy chace song, which proved ere il ter
minated, a pretty somni!erious air : his health
and song was then drank, but with grave dig
giug faces and little applause: to revive the
gentle nen, bumper was then drank all a
round. The pres dent retiles moment,
suppose, to say how do to his wife: in his
absence his health is drank all around In
bumper, and bumper filed with segar
across itl for him 10 drink CT upon his re
turn. The bottle now begins to pass brlskly:
work goes bravely on: much gaiety begins to
prevail considerable bumper challenging
exhilirating of spirits rapidly increases
gentleman spills his wine under the table IN
drinking bumper toast, is discovered and
accased publicly he rises and addresses the
chair with, Mr. president, hope. sir, that /
am not to be thus publicly accused without
having an opportunity Of being heard in vim
dication of myself; have, sir, always; lin.
terrupted) hear him hear him Mr.. Presl-
dent, move that the gentleman comes to
the subject matter of bis discourse tnStGnter
order order gentlemen bravo I! support