The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-13

variety: no appetite but would be coyed with the
profusion ofgood things.
Though the liberaliiy Of the four who have been
named left but little for their associates to contrib
ute, still some individual offerings TO the feast de-
serve 10 be noticed. Thus the oysters, Carbonate
of Lime had sent in the SHE'LL the pyramids of ice
cream for the dessert were provided by the daugh-
ter of Chlorine and Sodium, who was out several
hours in the snow, engaged in freezing them; and
the almonds and peaches came from the conservato-
ry Of Hydrocyanic Acid, the druggist.
After grace had been said by Affinity, who is a
sort of chaplain to the Elements, having ociated
the weddings Of all the married ones of the company,
vigorous onset was made upon the good things be-
fore them. At first, all were too much engaged for
conversation; but, the dessert appearing at last, as
they cracked the nuts, the jest too was cracked;
toast and song were called for and wit and innocent
hilarity became the order of the day. Even Oxy-
gen, who had presided with such an air of dignity,
relaxed from his sternness, and entertained the
younger ones at the table with many a tale Of his
mischievous pranks in the days Of old Father Cha
os, when Time and himself were young. Strange
tales they were, too, of earthquakes with which
Hydrogen and he would now and then Brighten the
Icihyosauri and Megatheria of the ancient worlds
and Of confagrations comica as of old Vucans ongs
and anvil kindling them before his eyes with the
very bolt he was forging "This, however," he add
ed" with sly glance at his stad partner Nitro
gen, who sat near 'was before Marriage had sober
have no space to chronicle more of these freaks
of Oxygen's early youth, nor any of the sayings
and dongs of others Of the party on this memorable
night Else would give the marvellous story
Nickel had to relate, of falling out he once had
with the Man in the Moon, and of journey he was
consequently under the necessity Of making in hot
haste to the earth for refuge. ] would tell too, OF
the droleries of Nitrous Oxide, that funniest, queer
est, craziest of youngsters; and how Phosphorus
made flaming speech, and Potash caustic one;
and how Mercury proposed as toast, "Ihe medical
profession: to whom we say, Use US, but do not
abuse u.s." must speak, however, of curious
little by-scene CHANGED to witness: it was firt-
alton that Platinum was carrying on with Hydro
gen, whom, much TO my surprise, ! found seated
among the Metals, and quite at home among them
too. There was quite contrast between Platinum,
gray, heavy, and dull as he was, and the light and
buoyant creature by his side: but there soon SEEM
ed to be evidence of some mutual attraction.
Platinum grew warm in his attentions, and ere long
quite flame was kindled between them.
So passed the evening: all went "merry as a
marriage-bel," with nothing to mar the good hui
NOR that prevailed TILL in an evil hour, Sulphuret-
ted Hydrogen, disagreeable fellow, against whose
appearance at the banquet most of the company had
protested, entered the apartment with a very Of
fensive air. In an instant the whole family of
Metals, TO whom he was particularly obnoxious,
changed color Lead fairly grew black in the face
with Indignation; Arsenic and Anthony seemed
to be jaundiced with rage; Ammonia, to whom his
presence recalled very unpleasant associations, in
trying to avoid him, precipitated several Metallic
Oxides to the floor; while Chlorine, with more
selfcommand than the rest, advanced with firm
step to expel the intruder, looking as if she were
about to annihiate him on the spot
How the scene might have terminated, know
not; for just at that moment strange sound, of
awful import, like the trampling of mighty host,
came to my ears felt sure it was San earthquakes
voice." and that now my fate was sealed! My knees
tive board gradually vanished from before my eyes,
which-opened upon the class, as they were leav-
ing the laboratory of our worthy professor of
chemistry, where, it seemed, much to my confusion,
had fallen asleep during lecture, and
Dreamed q dream in the midst ofmy slumbcrs'
& Fl