The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-12

named loft but little for their associates to contribute,
still some individual offerings the least deserve
70 be noticed Thus the oysters, Carbonate of Lime
had sent in the she'll; the pyramids Of ce-creOm for
the desert were provided by the daughter Chlorine
and Hydrogen, the bride of Sodium, who was out
several hours in the engaged in freezing them
and the almonds and peaches from the con-
servatory ofIIydrocyanic Acid the druggist.
After grace had been said by Affinity. who is
port Of chaplain 10 the Elements, having ofciued at
the weddings Of all married ones Of the company,
vigorous onset was made upon the good things before
them. At first, all were too much engaged for con-
versation, but tho dessert appearing at as: ms they
cracked the nuts the jest too cracked; toast and
song called for and wit and innocent hlarity
became the order Of the day. Even Oxygen, who
had presided with such air Of dignity, relaxed from
his sernness, and entertained the younger at the
table with many tale Of his mlschievous prNnks in
the days OF old father Chaos, when Time and him
self were young. Strange tales they were, too, Of
earthquakes with which he and Hydrogen would now
and then hghton the Icthyosauri and Megatheria of
tho ancient world; and Of connagraons comical, as
of old Vulcan's tong and anvil, kndlng them
before his eyes with the very bolt he was forging
This however, he added, with sly glance ut his
staid partner Nitrogen, who sat near, was before
Marriage had sobored down his spirits and tanned his
impetuosity'
I have no space to chronicle of these freaks
Of Oxygens early youth, nor any of the sayings and
dongs of others Of the party this memorable night
Else would give the marvellous story Nickel had to
relate, of falling out no had with the Man in
the Moon, and of journey no was consequently un-
der the necessity Of making in haste TO tho
earth for refuge. would tell Of the drolleres of
Nitrous Oxyd, that funniest, quecrest crazicst Of
youngsters; and how Phosphorus made u flaming
speech, and Potash a canstic one; and how Mercury
proposed a toast, The Medical ProGesSion:' to
whom we say Use US but do not abuse us must
speak however Of n curious little byscene chunced
to witness: il n Irritation that Platinum
carrying on with Hydrogen whom much to my sur
PRISE found seated among the Metals, and quite at
home among them, There was quito contrast
between platinum, gray, heavy and dull as he was,
and the light and buoyant creature by his sidc; but
there seemed TO be evidence Of some mutual
attraction. Platinum grew warm in his attentions,
and ere long quite fame kindled between
them.
So passed the evening, all went merry as
riage-bell, with nothing to mar the good humor that
prevailed; till, evil hour, Suphuretted Hydro
gen, dsagreeable fellow, against whose appearance
at the banquet most of the company had protested,
catered the apartment with very offensive air. In
on instant, the whole family of Metals TO whom he
is particularly obnoxious, changed color; Lead fairly
grew black in the face with indignation; Arsenic and
Anthony seemed to be jaundiced with rage; Ammo
MIA, TO whom his presence recalled very unpleasant
associations in trying TO avoid him. precpitated
era Metallic Oxides to tie floor; whle Chlorine with
more self-command thun the rest, advanced with
firm step expel the intruder, looking if she
about to annihlate him the spot.
How the might have terminated | know
for just at that moment sran GO sound, Of awful i'm
port, like the tramphng Of ghty host, came TO
my ears: felt sure it fan earthquakes voice.
and thut now my fate sealed My knees totter-
ed under me the arching groo and the festive board
gradually vanished from before my eyes. which
opened upon the class, as they leaving the labo
rntory Of our worthy Professor of Chemistry, where it
seemed much to my confusion, had fallen asleep
during lecture; and
dreamed dream in the midst of my slumbers'
s. Il. II.