The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-23
Mr.. PEABODYS BANQUET.

iionaI Speeches of Msssrs. Pea
body and winthl .OP, Etc
a very interesting even took place az the
plith Avenue Hotel last evellI or Sor seyersI
5eaDody, who has been in the clS Srnstees Of
Gays, attending the meeting of the =. fSr fba
the lund 50 generously endowed by him '' 80
education of the children of the South, to-
dered TO General and Mrs. Grant and the Trus-
tees OF his noble charity banquet, which was
aJtenqed by large number of distinguished
1l, 5huli,vlauals from various parts OF the country.
Goo $ last and best gift to man, "lovey woman"
was not neglected on the occasion, and about
tW3,nitas Tl u ms o OF the guests were ladies'. ,,
Inc aHair partook something of national
cnuacIer IN its inception, although IL was
strictly private in It's arrangement. Our
greatest general our most distinguished admi-
life, Were thus honored by the most distln-
gulshed and active phianthropist of modern
Times. In order to give the occasion the ecldt
TO when IL was entitled, the entire resources of
one OF Jhe most magnificent hotels on this con-
IT perfect success One Of the spacious dining
rooms OF the hotel was allotted to Mr.. Peabody
and his guests.
THE TABLE,
however, had smack of royalty about it never
before seen In this country. Two tables were
spread lengthwise of the hall, and these were
united at the upper END by a third, leaving an
open space in the centre for the guests and the
servants who were TO wait upon them. Mr..
Peabody occupied the centre ofthe north table
with Admiral Farragut on his left and Mrs.
gneFSL Men Sgant d on 4S Rg rght General Grant
the tts-d' t'tS of Mr.. Peabody, Admiral Farragut,
and Mrs. General Grant.
Mr.. Peabody personally attended to the ar
ranging of the places for the guests and the
comfort of all was amply secured. The table
was richly ornamented by q service OF silver
procured expressly for the occusion from the
American branch Of the imperial mandatory
of Charles Cristohe g. Co., of Paris, This mag
nifcent service of silver and gold consisted Of
fifty pieces of exquisite designs and elaborate
Workmanship. Several of them were copies of
those used by the Emperor of the French on
State occasions. The centre-pIece was an ubon-
dance, three feet in height, sxilfully and inge-
niously wrought with Cupids, alegorcal of
commerce and agriculture.
Another represented n fishing scene, of an
emblematic character In another was, de-
flowers. Upon the tables there were ten can
dlestick5 of solid silver and OF various designs.
artstcally finished. Upon one of the tables
was service Of gold, consisting of ten pieces,
massive, and beautifully wrought. 1t is doubt
full if a more splendid and costly service of
plate was ever before placed upon a table in
this country. The pieces were OF the Louis XIV
imported by the house which furnished them
to the hotel.
The gorgeous decorations of the table were in
perfect keeping with the costly viauds and
wines which had been prepared to crafty the
palate. When the lights were in full blaze the
scene was indesCribably beautiful. The toilets
of the ladies, brilliant with gems, reflected back
the beauties of glittering silver and gold, and
fairy land. The officers of the army and navy
appeared in full uniform, and, taken alto
gether, the whole affair was in the highest de-
gree imposing. The viands prepared for the
occasion were unsurpassed.
THE GUESTS.
The following guests had seats allotted to
them at the several tables:-At the table occu-
pied by Mr.. Peabody We're seated Miss Williams,
Governor ,G Graham, e1aH, Mrs: WeIm9re General An
Botta, Mr.. Jennings, London Times corres-
pondent; Mr.. Brooks, Mrs. Astor Mrs Bancroft,
Mrs Bergh. Bishop McIlvaine, Admiral Far
ragut, Mrs. General Grant.
| the hall were assigned to Governor Aiken, OF
South Carolina, Mrs; Brooks, Governor Fish
Mrs. Evarts, Judge Roosevelt. Mrs. Macgregor
and General Butterfield.
AT the south table were seated General Grant
Miss Wood Moo Nj SteWarl MISS R'Yes MI Astqr
| Rives, Mrs. Roosevelt, MIR. Bancroft, Mrs Stew
| art. Mr.. Wetmore, Mrs. Forbes, Miss McIlvaine
Raymond Mrs Anderson, Mr.. Weed. Covers w rs
were laid for seventy-three persons.
THE SPEECHES.
After full justice had been done the sumptu-
Gus dinner and the cloth was removed, toasts
and speeches were the order of the evening.
SPEECH OF MIR. WINTHROP.
Mr.. Robert G. winthrop made the opening
speech. He said:-
MI. Peabody, Ladies and Gentlemen-I trust shall
moment. The hour is at hand when this distinguished
e te @ Gfaqs exs
in those gTatelTl rat I Of the past which
aware, and was intended 70 be- a purely social occa-
would be quite Gut Of place But; as the Chair:
In company with inustrious associate. Gene.
raj Grant, this banquet has been given, duty
discharge hold in my hand briet series of resou.
tons which we're were gnanimoGsy adopted by the Trus,
their proceedings few hours ago They were moved
seconded by the Hon, William A: Graham OF North
Carolina and after eloquent aud impressive remarks
by Bishop McIvnine OF Ohio, and by the Hon VIII
Board in his place in atesa0n of their adopton
noble friend Mr. Peabody, thanks for his muniH
ang our board both in washington and New YORK
ResoIyed That ina we eonsiafr our appointn ents as
and one which we acknowledge most cordially.
Resoiyed That our friend being about 20 leave his
native land for England, we hope that kind Provi
ton, and return him once more to u0. We trust he
will then be able to the fruits or the work Of his
great charity and remarkable wisdom. .
RCSOiUed That the charm an communicate the fore
going resolutions 10 Mr.. PEABODY al er the banquet OF
MR., PEABoDY's REPLY.
| Ladies and 6entiemen"I ieel most deeply grateful
to the trustees for the very kind esnlutons they Eaye
| manner in which he has proposed my health, and
10 you all give my warmest thanks for the enthu-
| / have at times been placed in very honorable
| positions, but In no instance did ever ieel
sence around me, not only of the highest officers Of
| our army and navy-deserye1ly renowned in both
of our nation, both North and south, whose happy
union and pleasant intercourse trust Is an omen
| upon our beloved country, (Applause2 can
| not refrain from expressing my is satisfaction at at
have done the honor to act as my trustees and at
| menced their iabors. which they have great conf
| dence VIII be crowned with success Although feel
| that this occasion should not be one Of making
speeches one or two sentiments before we leave the
table, Will give-'Our country our Wnole country
its Chief Magistrate. its Congress- s army and navy,
and the commanders of them both VINO are with us
mere Ia @ he sppse was very warm and enthusiastic
and after the band had played one or two national
airs Mr. Peabody ocoS wond long nG i've Pc hgs @
overthe country in which, under Providence, he and