The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-25
MERRY ENGLAND'S SAINT DAY.

The Anniversary Banquet Of the St. Georges
Society-The Dinner, tho Guests and the
Speeches-A Pleasant Evening and Exuber.
ant Enthusiasm.
The st. Georges Society Of the city OF New York
celebrated the cghtyfth anniversary fits existence
last evening by q banquet ut DelmOnic0s. There
were about hundred and fifty guests, and In
numbers and enthusiasm alike the dinner sur
passed all Its predecessors. The banquet Itself
In Delmonicos usual inImitable style. Among the
guests were James w. Gerard, General Mcdowell,
Joseph II, Choate, DR.. VintOn ana Lord Walter
Campbell. Sir Edwin Thornton and OF least one or
two representatives Of the High Commission had
been expected but pressing business at Washington
in connection with the Alabama claims and the
fishery question placed 1t out OF their power to
attend.
Mr.. JOHN G. DALE the president, In proposing the
first toast OF "The Day aud All Who Honor Itn
alluded to the extremely satisfactory pecunary con-
dltion OF the society. He urged upon the members,
however, the duty OF bringing in as many recruits
as possible. Mr.. Dale concluded by referring to The
marriage OF the Princess Louise and the Joint High
Commission He trusted that the abors
of the latter would remove all causes OF
dif1cuy between the two countries, SO that hence-
forth Great Britain and the United States might go
hand In hand, each glOrying In a common pros.
and religious liberty throughout the world"
The second toast Of "The Queen was hailed with
. round Of hurrahs Of thoroughly British vehemence.
The President OF the United States was also honored
with very hearty and noisy outburst OF applause.
DR.. VINTOS proposed III few humorous remarks
the next toast Of the Memory aad genius OF
Shakespeare" He began BY saying that he did not
no such person ever lived. There was q volume or
plays entitled "Shakspeare's Plays" but that
Shakespeare was myth was clear from the fact that
no one knew the right way to spell mis- name.
1t was strange thing that ne, parson
rIph
than IN the Bard OF Avon. He believed
that such person as ST. George really lived, ana
saying That he had had personal experience OF the
practical good effected by the st. Georges Society,"
grants. and he sent them TO the st. Georges
Society. and there he knew they received the relief
M Mr.. ID 1. q. WHITE in responding, warmly de-
Tended the personality OF Shakespeare. He
i Hr lizard bard on ST. Georges day, and then
dilated for fifteen minutes on what he said he had
always regarded ~ the as
tica business man. Shakespeare did not write Tor
fame or for anything else but money. He had
but enc aim in his literary career-to make for
The ''sister Societies. were next toasted. Mr.
Robert Gordon responded Tor st. Andrew. He said
he many familiar faces around him that he
was tempted to think that the members or st.
Andrew were now chiefly celebrating the saint day
OF ST. George. The day for petty jealousy between
Scotcnmen and Englishmen had passed. In litera.
, oi ,ns
year-the centenary Of Scott-hc doubted not would
be honored with the same affectionate enthusiasm
by Engshmen as by Scotchmen.
Speeches were also made by Mr.. Macmah0n, for
the Friendly Sons OF St. Patrick; Mr. Chcnte for the
New England Society, and Mr.. Mount, for the ST.
Nicholas.
TOE remaining toasts OF the estate and City OF
New York; the "Armes and Navies OF England
and the United States,' ''Tne Press" and "The
Ladies' also received their usual need OF honor.
The speaking was agreeaby interspersed with songs
and glees. At midnight the guests DISPERSED to re-
assemble again, 1t Is to be hoped, Without single
gap Ill the ranks, a year hence.