Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-27
MISCELLANY Y.
A Dinner Scene in Girard
College.

OO4AO6O'
The dining-room is one hundred and
twenty-five feet in length by eighteen feet
six inches in width. Two long tables occu-
py the greater part Of this large space. They
are covered with snowwhte cloths, and pre-
sent very respectable appearance with tIreir
army Of white crockery, clean napkif.=, and
other ct ceteras. Upon either end of each
table there is an enormous piece of roast
beet kissing and steaming, and se,,ding forth
savory exhalations, which pervade The whole
apartment and whet TO keen edge The ap.
pelltes Of those who are TO parlake of The
dinner. These substantial dishes are flanked
by their appropriate vegetable 'fixins.' and
form n scene quite as attractive 10 the optics
as is the odor 10 the olfactories.
Nearly three hundred boys, fresI, frotn the
playground, are summoned in 10 perform an
interesting part 10 the scene. The reader,
no doubt, sees in imagination, the hungry
youngsters rush into the room pell- l-mell aud,
seiZing whatever comes in their way, tall 10
with tooth and nail, and after demolishing all
before them, like Oliver Twist, ask for
more =
IL the boys we're allowed 10 act 10 accord
ance with the promptings Of their own feel.
ings, the anticiputloas Of lhe sagacious rend.
er would doubtless he realized. But as
things are managed at the institution, the
Ialx 4, ~
10 describe The modus operandi
The attractive appearance Of lhe tables,
we have already described. On the ringing
Of the bell The boys repair, with all conven-
lent speed, TO their dining room. They
have left the Fairgrounds under the care of
the projects, who march them in regular or
der toward the refectory, which they cn,er
quietly, under the eye OF the President OF the
College, who occupies standing position
between The two tables. This officer is
armed with a small hand-belI. After tile
boys are all seated, which in so large n fami-
ly requires some time, a single tap is given
upon the bell, which is The signal for silence
The President then repeats a simple form Of
grace, in which thanks are returned to the
Almighty for Ills pasentul cure, &c. This
exordium is very trief-a peculiarly which
adds much 10 its merit in the estimation Of
the hungry youngsters. After this approrr-
ate ceremony, another tap is gieen upon the
bell, which is signal for cnrving and dis
tributing the rations. Il may he imagined
thar this operation is attended with confu-
sion, but such is not the case-everytling is
managed quietly, expedtiously aud system.
aticalIy.
Either end Of each table is occupied by
goyerness, whose duty it is to carve and dis
tribute the food. Upon hearing the signal
just described, four boys, dish in hand, start
Simultaneous from The centre of each table !;
two Of the boys repair to The upper end Of
the table, and the other two 20 10 the oppo-
site end. These four are served, and start
back TO their seats in the meantime, four
more have gone through the same formula,
end the others follow in The same order
Despatch is thus secured, and confusion
avoided. The scene IS now becoming excit-
ing to the participants, and amusing to look
ers on. No boy dare commence TO eat until
all are served; the tapping of the bell is the
signal TO fall to- and every eye isturned to-
ward that little instrument which is 10 give
up the savory odor, and eager fingers are with
difficulty restrained. But finally before that
point is reached at which
"Hope deferred. maketh the heart SICK"
the last quartetIe has been served, and the
anxiously awaited signal is given. The read
er may easily conceive The scene which fol-
lows. Each lad is furnished with napkin,
which he is required to Use at his meals !;
that is generally arranged with all other nee
essary prein,inaries before the sounding of
The signal, and all hands set 10 with will
at the tap Of the bell.
There is 10 stint Of food Of the best de-
scriptio,I. The boys are allowed half an
hour ut each meal, and during that time are
at liberty to eat as much rs they please
Their dinner, on the occasion upon which
we were present, consisted Of excellent roast
beef, potatoes, bread, coId-slaw, and a
wholesome dessert Of apples. The diet il
varied frequently. We understand that the
above is a fair specimen of the meals far
nisI,ed the pupils.
10 addition TO the refectory just described
there is a table set in a room OH the first
floor, for the older boys, whose term in the
institution will soon expire. Here greater
degree Of etiquette is observed, and the lads
are treated more like adults, for the purpose
Of fitting them for polite intercourse with So
ciety. Even at the dinner tabie, the differ
ence between The bright boy and the dol
can he readily discovered; the first is
known by his quiet demeanor and intelIi-
gent countenance, and BY his furtive glances
into his books, which have been brought TO
the table with him-whle the blockhead, or