The New York herald., 1869-03-30
ST. NICHOLAS SOCIETY.
The Pnas Festlvnl-Annual Celcbration-Wi'
Humor and Repartee.

The Paas Festlval-Annual Celcbration-Wit'
Humor and Repartee.
Never did jolly huntsmen In the good old Gays sn
down to friendly hospitality with more beaming
faces than the hale and hearty members OF St. Nlcb'
oas Society last night. The tables at Demonico's
did not groan beneath their delicaces, but proudly
bearing their substantial burdens seemed TO recip
rocate the benevolent twinkes OF the 81 rounding
guests. The occasion was . worthy one
and nobly was 1t honored. Divested OF ii
ceremonious display, totally devoid OF sny
stir necked ostentation the Paas festival. mas ever
received at the hands Of the venerable members r.,
the association hearty welcome and thorough an.
probation. The time.honored event is, OF cor rae
totally distinct affair from the anniversav Of the
saint from whom the society takes is name. In
brief. 1t Is social reunion whereat AZ brought to
mind the grand "reminiscences Of the mast. when
the events OF days gone by are Tecalled with anec-
tonate remembrance-a day when the cares OF
the world are for the time forgotten: when
the noisy hum Of business becomes distant and in.
distinct when amid the social Gun OF ioyfulness
pause is made in the orld's great progress, and,
casting back ngerr q glance vents that were are
mentioned fondy Feed 1t be said that the descend.
ats OF tne ancient Anickerbockers absent at
susn memorapls timer But the occasion ts not
one OF sentim .ntai regTetfulness when long
pas pasSt youth - viewed through the larger
like the goos. wine, nows steadily, 6umor breaks
ioa,h az eve ry point and the repartee IS pungent
tlemen wete present last evening including many
princely merchants eminent bankers and substali-
@ saIr IroA ers Like the members Of well regulated
iany ne blessing OF cOntentment appeared to rest
On ese ~ brow, and feeling OF happiness diffused
iisei around To wordly-minded men 1t would
aoar tless appear that the aristocratic assembage
world be satisfied with napght but the rarest wild
!osl the most tender titbts and the most delicious
T.orseis Yet it was not So for the festival would
had hea Tho
cause. Snaps and richly varlegated eggs were the
Characteristic features OF the night while the bill Of
rare Itself spoke plainly and straightforwardy Just
as any honest Knickerbocker would have done.
II was clear and unmistakable in its terms
potato a ae soup oP besf see "a 81 NcSoss
sweetbreads, spinach and green peas. For the de-
nghtIul cold dishes there came game pie and boned
turkey, while red head ducks constituted the roast
ice cream, fancy cakes, rum jelly, oil k0eks krul-
iers cookies paas eggs fruits and dessert followed
winding up with the liberal distribution Of huge
pipes and fragrant weed 1t was a scene to be
remembered. Curling up in leisurey ascent, twist
join in friendly cloud the wreaths Of sweetiy
perfumed smoke went their ways in happiness and
peace Some issued forth in well formed circles
fingered but little and then were seen no more
Orhers rushed out in rapid puff, destroying the
vagaries OF neighborhg ring, and while the routes
a,l was accomplshed for the naked eye gazed valnly
through the maze to view the frescoed ceiling 1t was
which prevailed thoroughly enhanced the pleasure oi
the evening. Not for the best Havana In the world
would those dear Old pipes have been surrendered for
they brought to mind the happy Of those
that have passed away. The eggs too, were rich in
color, while the schnapps were pungent as tney were
acceptable and highly communicative. Truly, the
occasion was one OF sterling enjoyment and the ap-
pearance OF the hall when the last dishes had
been removed was unquestionably suggestive
OF homely felicity. Benevolent gentlemen present
young men Of forty-nve and under were at q premi.
um-leaned back with that air OF fathery content
wit, not the shallow, empty, thin spun twaddle OF
the present day, but the rich and mellowy Observa-
tons OF the mature, good natured and substantial
mind. 1t was impossible to refrain from smiling,
Tor the jokes were excellent and the en-
tire surrounding circumstances well calculated
known banker would open his battery Of
pointed sallies, when his friend the broker or his
older friend. the merchant, would respond In terms
that ELECTED round OF hearty appreciation. There
was no f0rmality, IN the sense OF high collardom,
and, like the good bush good birds sung merrily
upon 1t. The chairman made speech, and such
. speech, too, as aroused the feelings OF his
10 often that ne was necessarily interrupted
many times. Then came another and another, all
pregnant, humorous, brief and thoroughly accept
able. The experienced members OF the society, well
knowing the faults at dinners generally, wisely re-
trained from heightened observations and Thoughts
would, indeed, be invidious to present any OF the
speeches OF the evening curtail the remarks OF
only lew, all being 20 wei pointed and witty; suf
nee II to observe that whatever was said was ap-
preciated and that references the "reminiscences
Of the past were listened to with attention and that
which was bestowed upon them. Altogether the
celebration or the Paas festival night was one OF
the most harmonious and appropriate that mas ever
taken place under the auspices OF the society.