American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-23
A Roman Feast in Hadrian's Villa.


A Roman Feast in Hadrian's Villa.
Let us follow the Emperor and pass in
visible through the guards at the portal,
aud the crowd of Siciian cooks, pantomi-
mists, slaves and dependents, in the out
er hall. Guided by the sound or music,
let us penetrate to the c9naculum itself
Here, on semi-circular couches, recline
the Emperor aud his guests, their hair
redolent Of fragrant ointments, their flu
gers covered with rings, and their jewel
led slippers lying beside them on the
floor. Each man holds in his left hand a
napkin with gold aud purple fringe. On
the table stand small images of the gods.
At the lower end of the room is an ele-
waited stage, on which party Of buffoons
are performing a comic interlude. The
visitors play at dice between the courses.
Now and then, through revolving compalt-
ments in the ceiling, flowers and per-
fumes are showered down upon the feast
ers, while slaves stand by whose duty it
is to fan away the flies and bring fresh
towels aud scented waters to the guests
after every. dish.
The feast begins to the sound of tlum-
pets, and slaves carry round cups of Ia
lcrnian wine favored with honey. Then
come oysters from the Lucrine lake. cray
fish from the Misenium, mul!ets from the
lIale, lampIeys and perhaps a sturgeon,
which is weighed alive at tab e, allowed
to expire before the eyes of the guests,
aud then cauied off to the kitchen, pres
emily to appear again, cooked with rich
sauce of wine and pickles. Then came
-dishes Of nightingales, thrushes, roasted
shrimps, African cookies, Meliau cranes,
Ambracian kid, and boar from the Um-
bian forests, roasted whole, and stuffed
with beef aud veal This is carved by
the ca,pior with pantomimic gestures, to
the sound Of music.
Next some jars of rare Massic and
Chan wines are opened ibation is pour
ed out to the gods, and the Emperor
pledges his guests. Then enter four mu-
scians playing on double flutes, followed
by as many servants crowned with flow
ers. They bring the royal dish of the
entertainmcut--a peacock with all its
plumage displayed on salvar garlanded
with roses. At this sight the guests burst
into murmurs Of applause, and salute the
Emperor. he bufoons now retire and a
couple of gladiators make their appear
bucklels, greaves and short swords. The
serious business of supper being over, and
dessert about to be brought on, the feast
ers have leisure to enjoy this more ex-
citing amusement. Additional cushions
are brought, spiced wines are handed
round, the tables are cleared, fresh cloths
are laid, the guests lean back the EN-
peror gives the signal, and the gladiator
begins the combat Now pistachio nuts,
dates, Venefran olives, Matin apples,
pears, grapes, dried figs, mushrooms,
sweet cakes, preserves, and all kinds of
delicate confectionery moulded into curl
Gus and graceful devices, are placed upon
the table. Conversation becomes anima-
ted. A gladiator falls mortaly wounded ;
the spectators cry abound "HaGetn, a
fresh combatant replaces him, and the
Emperor himself deigns to bet upon the
victor.
Thus amid bloodshed, dicing, wine and
feasting, hours pass away, and the enter
talDment draws to close. Valuable pres
ents are presented to the guests. One
gets precious ring, one robe of Tyrian
dye, another sketch by Parnassus, an
other a bust Of Hadrian in eolored mar
bles; and thus each takes his leave en-
riched an | ieasted, and pours last liba-
ton to the health of the Emperor and
the honor OF the gods.