The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11
THE PUBLISHERS FRUIT FESTIVAL.
New YORK, Sept. u, l85

New YORK, Sept. II, 1855.
T. the Editor Of the National Era:
Politicians have dinners, merchants have as
sociations. and mechanics have clubs, to all
Of which a dinner is an appendage, and even
ministers have INDUCED in "collations " but
who ever heard of authors being treated to a
b.aquet before Yet, we believe there was,
long ago in the past, beyond our memory, a re-
uai5a among authors and their publishers; but
It must have proved either an unpleasant or an
Improbable occasion, never to have been re-
ueated when authors and publishers have so
multiplied, and their relationships become so
much more intimate and cordial But never
was there ANYTHING like this-when, from the
North and the South from the East and the
West, they gathered together, the representa-
tiyes of every State over which waves the star
spanrled banner, and some from "over the
border" have come, not this time to " the feast
Of reason and the flow of soul merely, but to
enjoy the substantial viands which nourish or
dinary mortals. and to look at one another"
Merchants, inventors, and artists, have hither-
10 appropriated all the fame connected with the
CRYSTAL Palace but now it is to have new
honor. and to confer new honor upon others.
A fruit festival it is called, and the tables look
like one gay parterre-
Anon viii; flowers and fruit, and irui, and flowers"
with al manner of curious devices. There are
trees from every tropical clime-the lily of the
valley shedding its perfume upon the gorgeous
but scentless bloom of the East-the orange and
the citron, contrasting their golden hues with
the purple clusters of the grape and the pome-
granate.
The tables are circular, semicircular, oval,
and obong, brilliant with chandeliers, and
heavy laden with whatever is beautiful to the
eye or gratifying to the taste, and amusingy
significant OF the occasion and the occupations
Of those who give and those who receive the
evening entertainment.
Here are serpents of sugar crushing sugar
BIRDS nests, which felicitously remind us of
mercess critics crushing in the germ the hopes
Of humble authors, and prompting us to devour
them ere they have accomplished the crime.
Here are quaint old books in pastry bindings
curious fishes, which Prof. AgaSsz might claim
'he honor of nyenting-strange plants and puz-
ling problems-a genuine Rip Van Wrinkle, in
The act OF awaking-One Of the children Of tie
'Fa deiyiag the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of lit
do'nre,r and temples Of history. There are
clpIds with whole quivers OF arrows, looking
as II there were not much hope, though poets
aud pOetesses are paying him homage, and
though he is in the midst of arbors with the
traces for love messengers.
There is Gutenberg with his printing press,
staring in establishment at the wondrous evil
deaces Of Improvement in the publishers art !;
Shiie Mitchell is spreading before him his
maps, and Bayard Taylor relating his travel
Ing adventures.
There are fruits bearing the names of the
IaireSi beauties of the Courts of Francis | and
Aoais NV, and the Vicar of Wakefield holds
up ms head IN the midst of the blushing throng.
me north nave of the palace is converted
'l'o pavilion, and the form Of the outer table
aParalielogram. at this, which is raised above
nose within, are seated the authors; while
"goVe' the galleries are crowded with those
"ho are only permitted to look upon the scene,
'c .ho, nevertheless, are not the least brilliant
Oh the gay throng.
Inc burners throughout the building have a
peculiar appearance, seeming TO be suspended
n AR, the threads by which, they hang not
.ens visible; but over the gallery where the
musicians sit, they are made to spell, in large
complimentary FuH and Fower Festical
GIVEN To AUTHORS,