The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-02
Our new York Letter.
MEETING OF THE NEW ENGLAND AssoCIA-
TON.
NEW YORK, DEC. %, 1871.

TON.
NEW YORK, DEC. %, 1872.
The New Enganders of New York have
had their yearly festivals and forefathers day
has been filially commemorated. The dinner
was equal to any of It's predecessors both in
gastronomic and intellectual point of view.
The chair was occupied for the first time by
Mr. Elliot c. Cowdin an admirable represen-
tative of the thrift and energy of the Yankee
character, who migrated from Vermont with
the traditional outfit cf a small wardrobe and
scriptura teachings to seek re fortune which
he found W. lie yet in the prime of life, and
which he employs in bensfcent acts, courtly
hosptalities and useful enterprises. 1t was
an ordeal that was calculated to test mans
highest capacities, to succeed Choate, whose
pre-eminence as the presiding genius at Z So
cial board is universally acknowledged. But
the opening speech was eminently satisfac-
tory and gave evidence that the cares of bust
ness had not prevented the orator from cul-
turing bis mental endowments to good pur.
pose.
On the right sat Gen. Sherman in whose
pleasant countenance are happily blended
the ingenious simplicity of the genial man,
with the firmness and resolution of the daunt-
less soldier.
On his left was seated Henry Ward Beech
er, with sunshine CROUCH in his cheerful face
to light up whole table. Beecher is the
surest ''card'' of every social entertainment.
He is so sought after that il must take good
deal OF his time to answer the invitations
that pour in upon him. 1t requires good
deal of persuasion to woo him from the at
traction OF his study, to come across the riv-
er in mid winter to dinner of which he
tastes !spari ely if at ALL and at which he
drinks nothing stronger than cold water.
But the genuine reverence fer his Pilgrim
ancestors which was born in him, and has
been growing ever since Temps him to the
scene and once there he enters into the spir-
it of the occasion with all the ardor of his
nature. His speech was in response to the
tRat President Of the United States
which has already appeared in your columns.
But it is impossible to convey to the reader
of it the charming humor with which he ran
through the list OF Presidents, occasionally
stopping as if it were an effort to remember
some of them with such an affectation of
hesitancy that when he got to Buchanan,
/ Gen. Sherman helped him out by informing
him of the nan e of Pierce's successor, amid
| the laughter of the whole compar y. And
when he had worked up to the Chief Magis-
trate on who n the people had so recently set
the seal of their emphatic appreciation, his
Tribute to the soldier-statesman was rendered
with an earnestness, sincerity and warmth
that ELECTED the heartiest and most prolonged
applause IF the evening.
William Cullen Bryant was placed by the
side of Gen. Sherman, happy juxtapostion,
typyfying the achievements OF the pen and
| the sword. Mr.. Bryant's classic features pre-
sent as fine study as any of the grand Ro-
man heads painted by the old masters. His
years set gently upon him, and his firm step.
and undimmed eye denote a strength and
elasticity in happy contrast with his white
locks and long full beard of snow.
Gov. Jewell of Conn.,, whose robust man
hood proves incontestibly that his gray hair,
whether resulting from early piety or excess
i've study is strangely premature represented
the Governors of New England. Gen. Wilson
appeared for the Senate of which after eight
cen years of continuous service, he is soon to
be the presiding officer, by the suffrages of the
people and ex-Gov. Hawley of Connecticut,
the admirable Crichton of the nutmeg state,
editor, lawyer, soldier, gentleman than whom
New England boasts no ADLER or better son,
was there from the House of Representa-
tves.
Mr.. Evarts fresh from the diplomatic tri
umphs of Geneva, and ex-Goy Morgan
whose strong, thoughtful face suggests the
force of character which has made him the
successful merchant and the efficient public
man he is, were the honored guests of the
| society over which each of them has in turn
presided in former years.
The sister societies were also excellently
represented. St. Nicholas sent Mr.. McDon-
ough, son of the old Commodore; St.
George, Mr.. John G. Dale, agent for
that great steam sip company, the Inman
Line, which has done so much to bring the
two continents nearer to each other, himself
a sturdy type of the hale and hearty English
man who in his memories of the historic
roast-beef of his native land, seems not un-
appreciative of the dainty condiments with
which Delmonico gives Incompatible relish
to the bounties of his table; Saint Andrew
the canny Scot Mr.. James NOR who has
found in the New World an admirable field
for the exercise of the faculty of his race Tor
"getting things, and St. Patrick selected the
brightest jewel in her crown by lending us
that genial, handsome, whole souled Ameri-
can of Irish descent, Judge John K. Brady.
than whom no New Yorker is more welcome
everywhere. You have heard reproacbes
cast upon the judiciary of our city. 1 am
sorry to say they were not undeserved. But
here is Judge who donned the Ermine in
early youth, and has worn it nearly twenty
years. without soiling it by so much as sin
gle spot Talk about the Currans, Grattans
Philipses of by-gone days. l don't believe
one of them was quicker in repartee or more
sparkling in oratory than this brilliant jurist
whose face beams all over with wit and SEN
timent. And then it is so refreshing to greet
a Judge in whose purity and uprightness we
can take heart again, and revive our droop-
ing aith in the experiment Of an ell ctive Ju-
dietary.
Mr.. Henry Clews, the young banker, who,
Ne spite his bald head, has such an appearance
anvenility that he is often asked II he is the
Waan of old Clews, his financial successes in
notioSeet having impressed people il. it'll the
bilt andSa he is contemporary with Wander
on the suSSy, albeit he is a festive bachelor
ture before Me of forty with great flu
OF stock operatSS comes from the maelstrom
reminder that the, to give us an. agreeable
Exchange, who canNss honest men in the
halfway corporations Sseh without robbing
boIs, and Judge PeaboSseating their neigh
and amiable presence make whose tall form
resentative of the loyal profess fitting rep
he has won hi honorable laurels in which |
| So much for the ''guests table.
| floor were seated two hundred and tw.on tho
| tlemen, enbodylng as much of the entss xen
prosperity and patriotism of New Enel.Sse
was ever gathered in an assemblage Of eSn.s.
numbers anywhere. There were mer.
chants manufacturers, brokers, bank
presidents, cergymen, lawyers, doctors,
artists, editors, men of all cal ings'