The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-11
N n VIZ o n X I 8 M g.
From oar ovn Correspondent
Launching at the Astor.

Launching nj the AstOr.
II You have never lunched at the Astor IL is
worth while doing so, just to learn how IL feels
to swallow your particular eatable and drinkable
in the midst of heterogeneous mob simulta-
neously swallowing their eatables aud driuka-
bles, standing for the most part. A few occupy
the high stools that are ranged beside the vari-
Gus oyster and refreshment bars but the vast
majority loaf and lol sandwich or cigar, or
glass in hand, gossipping, staring, listening to
the band of four musicians who perform Offen-
BACH or watching the evolutions of the new toy
known the miniature velocipedist. 1t gives
one glorious and guzzling view of humanity
to watch these gorging knots Of twos and
threes, enveloped amid a cloud of music,
cloud of heat from red-throated furnaces,
cloud of steam from stews and aromatic drinks,
and cloud of buzzes that might stand for
conversation were there any conference in it.
Between twelve and three lunch at the Astor
Il refer of course, to the bar-rooms-it is an
impressive and dignifed spectacle. First
comes the long bar, where every
body who drinks at all is expected TO
'1iquor up" with Tom, Jack, and Harry. Then
there is the sandwich-and-coRfect counter,
occupying the middle of the floor, and groaning
(the music hides the groans though) beneath the
weight of chickens, tongue, sardlnes, roast beef,
and sandwiches of particular kind named
ka-ke-ki-ko-ka. These last taste exactly like
il, only great deal more SO. Besides these
refreshments, this counter contains charlotte
russo, tartlets, pies and cakes of every descrip-
tion, including nlerinyues, and also the lob
steriest of lobster salad. Then comes the cigar
stand, behind which offciates an individual who
looks as if he might have been the physician
whose sands of life have almost expired, 80
venerable and goody-goody is his aspect Then
come two large bars, one at each end of the
spacious rotunda. From these are dispensed,
at the one end oysters and clans cooked in every
variety Of style that it enter into the heart
of man to conceive of, and from the other the
whole catalogue of soups, fish, and meats.
Parallel to these are two smaller stands or
rather tables, laid with plates, knives and
forks, ETC., and upon these dinners are
served to such guests as prefer partaking
of them there. Is the picture complete
Not quite. Just over the threshold of the door
of entrance, and with their backs turned towards
it and their faces fronting the scene, stand four
musicians, the flute, violin, harp, and cornet-a-
piston, who daily perform opera music in gene
raj and the music of Offenbach in particular for
the edifcation of this august assemblage of
grubbers. The pungent smell of mixed drinks
and the sweet SAVIOR of variegated cookery
salute tne lunchist as he prepares to do his duty.
Allwho enter here leave hope behind-the hope,
that is of getting away without spending more
money than he bargained for. Sometimes, it is
true, the lonely 'eater" may be seen munching
away at a solitary ten-cent sandwich and then
creeping ignominiousy out, as though ashamed
of being detected alone there. After every two
pieces by the band one of the artists goes round
with hat, and the omnivorous assemblage
drops postage currency into it. The musicians
take turns, and to-day it is the futist who sup
plicates you, tomorrow the harpist, next day
the violinist, the fourth the cornet-a pistonst,
and SO on round to number one again. After
all, lunching at the Astor might be worse thing
than it is. You masticate to music you oys-
terate while they Offenbachize you, and the
whole scene is the apotheosis of indigestion.
Captain Do Greets Gratitude.
Captain Albert de Groot is the very plausible
and pleasant gentleman who some months ago
entertained various dignitaries of the country,
State, and city at the unvelling of the bronze
statue of Commodore Vanderbilt. To the vast
publicity given to that event Captain Albert de
Groot was indebted to the press. The burden
of gratitude has become so great as to be en-
tirely unsupportable, and Captain Albert de
Groot therefore intends to set up colossal
bronze statue of Franklin in Printing house
square, pTONluluS Inc pIlnJcIo Will unlIo III luI
nishing pedestal. The model Is in wax, and
for the present is on exhibition at the counting
house of Baker & Goodwin, Printing-house
Square The designers of all statues of Franklin
seem to agree in the idea that he was a man
constitutionally at loss what to do with his
hands, since they inevitably insert a SCROLL or
something which looks like one, in one of them.
An the present instance the scroll will be little
more pronounced than In the others.
The TravslIers' CInb.
This society is comparatively young, but its
central idea is similar to tie one which has
made so grand success of the London club oi
the same name. It's members embrace some OF
the most distinguished names in this country
and in England, and its intention may be said
to fraternize distinguished travellers of every
nation. have heard that that eminent though
modest genius, Daniel Pratt, once sought to
gain admission to il, on the score of having ira
yelled more in less time than Humboldt, Du
Chaillu, Agassiz, or any other man, but l can
not vouch for the accuracy of the report. Thai
Pratt is a wonderful man in his way, and, upon
occasion, can come out heavy-like Phila'
depha hailstorm! ALI BABA.
Scott and SOuIe.
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