Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-01-06
Bachelors Festival.

Bachelors Festival.
Our village does not escape the singuarities
incident TO those Of more notable character
thus laboring under the fear that its monotony
might through the depths of winter while away
uninterrupted, the closing Of the first days
cycle, of the present bright year has been selec-
ted as affording an hour Of unusual hilarity and
rejoicing; and who should be the instigators of
this thought but small circle of the errata of
mankind, gathered in close conclave in their
we'll known Retreat" and as it were scared
by the cold shoulder Of humanity, caught at
the idea of heaping Goals of fire" upon some
thing and bribed "leap year"-the best friend
of the gentler sex, in which to offer an obla-
ton to those ideal objects, whose most devout
worshippers they all lire to be; and accordingly
issued liberal invitation to all residents throo out
the length and breadth of this village, to assem-
BILE on the evening Of the LIST of January, 1852,
at the WASHINGTON HOUSE, to partake Of the
bounties of BACHELORS FESTIVAL The
cream of the thought seemed to have been sip
ped and as the appointed hour rolled about,
load after load, of the merry guests found their
way to the designated spot, and soon the Halls
of the WASHINGTON resounded with the reoc-
ings Of recognitions and pressure of hands,
while one after another of the spacious apart
ments became filled, the fertile brain intent up
on enjoyment developed its inventive powers,
and the sequel might be read in the little groups
scattered here and there, some silent in the
fullreSS of their joy, while others echoed peals
of laughter to the aparkling of wit and lively
conversation and bright eyes reveed in the CLAN
cling network of the occasion. Scarcely had
they seemed to recognize each other before, in
the twinkling of an eye, they scattered in pairs
to the dining Hall, where they instinctivey
nestled to to the loaded table Never has our
village spread more abundant harvest, or
greater variety of eatables to challenge the ap-
petite. Our worthy host seemed to have imb-
bed the taste manifested in the decoration of the
room and riyaled himself in his distributions
upon a festive board. All seated, the unique
characteristics of the festival preserved its iden
tity even here, for excepting the President of
the occasion), the circle Of bachelors monopo-
lied the privilege of tending to the wants of
active paates; and around they flew, with oys-
ters at this end, roast turkey at the other, bro-
ed chicken here, dessert there, while they ex-
changed glances at the calls for the Bachelor
Pie ereryaohere.l Thus the skipping of feet to
the music of wants, the rafting of dishes to the
| tune of the forks, lent an enthusiasm to the
scene which reacted upon gratified appetites,
and the hour tested to all, of the wealth of the
store; still the desire for "bachelor pie" fire.
quently sounded upon the ears, and the prompt
ings of bachelors heart (who would GEN.
sure ? responded to the call and approached the
monstrous pie, which stood midway upon the
table with an ominOuS banner indicating its To-
cation, and into its merits he entered but 10 !!
it yielded not to his pressure-not bafiled at
the ruse, he quickly exchanged his knife for his
lancet, and in a moment bore plate of crust
encasing an angle of an indispensable fabric
well known in culinary affairs, to his astonished
lady, mid the deafening roar of the numerous
guests. Next came the removal of the cloth,
followed by flow of SOUP known only to
those who participated. Commencing with the
following toasts, read by the President:
The fair Ser-Worshipped by all mankind, but
by none with more true devotion than the calum-
mated class called Old Bachelors"
To which he responded, at the call for T. d.
GILBERT, in happy manner; abiding to the
critical position he held in presiding where sn,i-
ling faces mrrored the festivities of the occa-
sion. The following were then read as part
of the regular toasts:
The OccdSion-Our introduction is consequent
upon the rap of club, and we have assembled to
take part in the melee"
Social IntercoWse-It promotes morality, ex-
tends religion dffuses q refining influence upon
mind and manners, and finally harmonizes all the
discordant elements of our nature.
Our Club
"May no woman's art beguile us,
May no Benedict revile us,
May our days from sorrow free,
End in peace and harmony"