, 1870-07-08
4 GiltIscr to Scnts.s------AS'
cfttt, ~ xs 21) Correspondence Of tic Sezp
y<.rkE

.sscrt", ~ahs tSts.s 29 Correspondence Of tic yez0
York Erenins Iosk
1t the suggestion and through tho exer-
tions Of J. Z. A. Smith, historian OF Pitts
lc!d, handsomely seconded by the citizens Of
iii: old town. the capital Of Berkshire County
Esf given an elegant dinner to those residents
H1lo arc over 70 years Of age. About
hundred and seventy males were found over
:Aree-scoro years and ten, and OF these
from ssne hundred and twenty to one hundred
eEd forty we're feastea at the American House
to-day.
Never was such an assembly of gray heads
seen IL the town at one gathering before.
From 70 the ages ranged upward to over 90,
paIsicd, the majority we're hale and hearty
specimens Of vigorous old age, and Piled their
kniTes aud forks for an honr with facility
that showed long practice, sbasp appetite and
reputable capacity.
When the rage of ofhnngerwas appeased," as
Trojans some centuries ago, the customary
~ feast of reason and flow OF sou1" ensued
Mr. Thomas Plunkett occupied the chAir, and
opened tho ball with q very happy speech and
address Of welcome, which elected suitable re-
p!y. The Rev. Pr. Todd. for tbirty years resi-
Gcntof Pittaield, made yerr happy speech, the
burden Of which was that it is not venerable
years that secure respect, but honorable, viz
tuous and upright character.
Judge Bishop, Of Lenox, thought the nine
teenth century . great brag and humbug. 1t
Lad done great things, but the foundation fof
The eighteenth century had given the impetus
to tho nineteenth. We make great fuss
about tclegraphs. II. Was Ben. franklin,
End not More, who taught lightning
to scamper along. metallic surface
il VAS Watt, and not Fulton, to whom
tie world was indebted for steam navigation.
The American and French revolutions wore
the progeni1ors Of the socia1 and political re-
forms Of to-day And as for great men,
''Nherc arc your Washingtons aud Jeffer-
cons, and Ha1ailtons and Jays?" "Esgles,"
said tire Judge, peroratlng with tremei-
theo1:of natural selections, have fallen down
10 dans." Professor Richards read the inavita-
bic "Tome," aud Major Cole, Fife Major ia
the war OF 1879, now II years Of age, enter
iained the company with few strains Of tho
olGen time on the shrlll toot. II there is any
divine art more particularly detestsble than
another, It is the fife aud drum. It was indis-
pensahle to-day to remind these s. old boys
OF the 'twars" and that grand delight Of YOUTH
the militia training.
Among the letters READ WAS one from tho
Shakers. who have q settlement o few miles
west OF the village. They sent a venerable
dcputstion. thanked the people Of pittstield
for their uniform kindness and courtesy and
abstinence from persecution in former days.
and hoped that the dead Of other times were
present III spirit to enjoy the festivities OF this
OCCASION.
In lieu Of his personal presence, Mr. Abel
West sent letter. the direct point Of which
was that the men built the school houses, and
the women tille1 tt,arn. one mntllar furnishing
fifteen sturdy hopefuls: another thirteen. and
maDy others seven and ten--quite contrast
to unigeuital habits OF tie prcsent day. The
Hon. George Kellogg kept the audience in
roar, with "Reminiscences and local hits, fol-
lowed by Mr. Thomas Alien, Of St. Louis,
Who paid an eloquent tribute to the place Of
good things said on this unique and. delight
ful occasion.