Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-11-01
Grand Vegetable Banquet 10 the
Potato.

re established in health, II was detcrmin.
ed by a few leading members Of the
vegetable kingdom, to offer banquet 10
the worthy and convalescent root on his
happy recovery. The arrangements for
tho dinner were on scale Of great lib.
erality, and the guests included all the
principal vegetables. The invitation
had been carried out by an efficient
corps of Scarlet Banners, and the Onion
occupied the chair. He was supported
on his righ, by the head OF the Aspara.
gus family, while Salad occupied a bowl
at the other end of the table, and was
dressed in his usual manner. The Pota.
to too, though just out Of his bed, was
looking remarkably we'll, and wore his
jacket, there icing nothing 10 mark the
recent illness, except, perhaps, a little
apparent blackness around ono Of bis
eyes. After the cloth had been removed.
The Onion got up to propose as
toast, the Potato, their much respected
guest. Immense cheering.) He, the
Onion, had known the Potato from in.
fancy; and though they had not always
been associated in life, had frequently
met at the same table. They had some.
times braved together the sam. broils,
and had found themselves often in such
a stew, Che alluded to the Irish stew
as had brought them for the time being
into an alliance Of the very closest kind
He, the Onion, was delighted to see the
Potato once more restored 10 his place
in society, for he, the Onion could say,
without aattery, that society had endeav.
ored to supply the place of the Potato
in vain. (Hoar, hear.) They had heard
Of Rice having been suggested to take
place Of his honorable friend, but the
suggestion was really ridiculous. Risum
leneatis, amice, was all that he, the On.
ion, had to say that, cloud laughter, in
which all but the Melon ,olned, he, the
Onion, would not detain them Longer, but
would conclude.by proposing the health,
long life and prosperity Of the Potato,
The toast was received with enthusi.
asm by all but the Cucumber, whose
coolness seemed to excite much disgust
among his brother Vegetables. The On
ion had affected those present to tears;and
the Celery who sat next to the Horse
radsh, hung down his head in an agony
Of sensbility, When the cheering had
partially subsidized, the Potato rose, but
that was only sign for renewed en-
thusiasm, and it was some minutes be.
fore silence was restored. At length
the Potato proceeded nearly as follows:
"Frends and fellow Vegetables: 1t i:
with difficulty express the feeling witt
which have come here today. Hav
ing suffered for the last three or fou
years from a grievous disease that seem
med to threaten me with total dissolu.
ton; it is with intense satisfaction
find myself once more among you ir
the vigor Of health. [Cheers,] | shoul'
be, indeed ,insensible to kindness, were
to forget the anxious inquiries that hav'
been made as to the state Of my healtl
: by those who have held me in esteem
and sometimes in a steam. A laugh ir
which all but Melon joined,] lcanno
boas Of line Of ancestors. l did not
like some Of you, come in with the Con
queror, but came in the tiain of civ
ilization, amidst the memorable luggage
ofSir Walter Raleigh, in company wit
my Right Honorable friend Tobac
co, who is not now present, but who o
ten helps the philosopher 10 take bird
eye view Of some Of the finest subjects {
reflection. Immense cheering and
, nod Of assent from Turnip'Top.]- J.
t Though Imay be a foreigner, | may jus
ly say, tn at have taken root in the sol
and though may have not the grace c
Cucumber, who seems to have com
here in enviable fame.-.- loud cheering
Il believe have done as much goo
as any living vegetable, for though no.
always at the rich mans table, al
seldom absent from the poor mans hun
Bile board. Tremendous applause.]
Q "But," continued the Potato, "let m
, not get Aowcry or mealy mouthed. (t
there is something Objectionable in tn
, course of my existence. l have bee
g up, ay, and served out-[a smile]-i
in all sorts Of ways. have been roas
: ed by some; l have been basted by otf
! ers; and | have had my JACKIE: rudel
! torn Of my back by many who kne
:. not the treatment deserved. But tn
! meeting, my friends. repays me for al
i | am not very thin skinned, but fe'
deeply penetrated by your kindness sh
/, day"
IT, Dototo roeun,oJ b;S eaot my, 4