The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-11-30

Saturday Morning, November 30, 1857,
Observation-Disclosures.
PORTLAND.

Erugniity-Exfravnganc
We remember of having once heard tho
story of plain old Yankee Farmer, who had
arisen from humble circumstances to con-
diiion of worldly independence, and who by
ms good sense and virtue, had occupied the
highest position of official honor in town, Civ
ing an entertainment to certain invited
guests who needed good instruction, by
means of which he Showed how departure
from the simplicity of former times and the
extrayagant fashions of the present day fore
told results that should alarm the philantbro-
pist and the statesman. If we have not for
gotten the story, it ran in this wise.
lie invited a fashionable party to his home.
under circumstances that excited expecta-
tions OF a very sumptuous feast. The guests
assembled at the proper time and in their
best attire. When the hour arrived tbev
were ushered into the dining hall, on enter
ing which they were surprised to see only a
long oaken table, barely covered with coarse
blue cloth. On being seated at this board,
they were served with wooden plates, with
smoked herrings, rye breal and butter, with
some cheese and curdled milk. Wooden vases,
filled with small beer, were passed round for
the guests to serve themselves. This extreme
oddity OF the old gentleman caused secret
murmerings amongst the company; but out of
respect to his age and wealth, instead OF show
ing discomfort, they pretended to relish their
frugal fare, and some of them even compli-
mented him for the cordiaity of those good
old times which he had thus brought to re-
membrance. The old man, who was not to
be deceived by this pretended satisfaction, did
not wish to carry the joke further, but at
signal which he gave, some servants, habited
as country women, entered, bringing the
second service A white cloth succeeded the
coarse one, and some pewter plates replaced
the wooden ones. Instead of rye bread, dried
herring and cheese, they were served with
good brown bread, fresh beef, broiled fish
and strong beer. AT this unexpected change,
the secret murmering ceased; the polite invi-
tations on the.pait OF the old man became
more pressing, and the guests ate with a bet |
the second service, when they saw the butler
enter, bringing the third. qn
A splendid mahogany table, covered with a
beautifully figured cloth, replaced the oaken
one. A side-board was Immediately loaded
with the richest plate and most curious por-
celain ware, and the guests charmed at be-
holding a. succession of rare and exquisite
vian1s. The choicest wines were freely cir
culated, while musical concert was heard |
in the adjoining room. Toasts were drank,
and all were merry. But the good old man,
perceiving that his presence hindered the
guests from giving themselves up to the ex-
preston of their full joy, rose and addressed
them as follows: ea s.
Ladies and gentlemen,-I give you thanks
for the favor you have conferred upon me by
your presence here. propose now 10 retire,
and leave you to your liberty But before
the ball commences which I have oderr-
ed to be prepared for those who love the
dance, permit me to acquaint you with the
design l proposed to myself in inviting you
to the repasts that have appeared to you so
odd. have wished tharahu tn rive unl, an
fathers acquired liberty, independence and
power by living in the frugal manner which
you saw in the first service. They secured
and preserved these great blessings only by
living in the simple manner Of which the
service has retraced an image. II it is per-
mitted to an old man who is about to leave L
you, to speak freely what he thinks, / must 1
say, that / fear the extravagant profusion /
which you have remarked III the third service,
and which is the present fashionable style OF i
living, will deprive us of more than our an
cestors have acquired by the sweat of the
brow, and our fathers have transmitted to us
by their industry and wise calculation"