The New York herald., 1873-12-07
ST. NICHOLAS.
Dinner OF the 81. Nicholas Society Last
Evening-A Gathering Of the Descend
ants Of Our Dutch FOrefathers.

Dinner OF the 81. Nicholas Society Last
Evening-A Gathering Of the Descend
ants Of Our Dutch FOrefathers.
The ST. Nicholas Society celebrated the least OF
It's patron saint last evening by dinner at Del
monico's, corner OF Fourteenth street and Fifth
avenue. The occasion drew together about l25
gentlemen, all descendants OF the old Knicker-
bockers. The banquet took place in the large
dining room. which was tastefully decorated with
nags and bunting. Behind the chair OF the Presi-
dent full life sized figure OF jolly Santa Claus
covered with snow, and holding IN his right hand
mug Of what was patriotically supposed to be
nome-brewed beer, beamed down upon the goodly
assemplage, while on the table in front Of him,
with tail erect and head nodding patronlzingly in
the direction OF "Old Probabilities, - who was one
Of the guests OF the hour perched upon his ancient
stick cut down from the gable end Of one OF the
old Dutch houses nearly $50 years ago. was the
g1lded weathercock presented many years ago to
the society by Washington Irving. Hung between
Two American nags was the Dutch coat OF arms OF
ye oldcn time, with the motto,
.soRANJE BovEN.r
Among the other reminders OF the uays OF Stuyye-
SAINT and Rip Van Dam in the hall were several fat
and hearty col0red men, dressed in the style OF the
bigBug house livery OF those tlmes which con-
sisted OF green pants, red jacket, and long tail
snu1colored coat, prolnsely decorated with bright
silver buttons
The dinner, dentally speaking. was all that
modern Knickerbocker could desire, who, while
admiring the simplicity CT the DISHES OF his fore.
Iaihers, does not take kindly to them in
luscious bivaves, which, Of course, came
I snlst IN order, among other things, soup
sts.yoesant; bass a Ia Knipperhausen rss de ceau
q la Rip Vdn Dam Huet de bGV la Hendyik
Hudson ana salad a Ia Oatlestfche1. 1t is matter
arist6crais who once ruled Gotham SO pleasantly
would have been able to recognize any OF these
dishes by their taste had they been able to have
hut II they would have ie]t IKE weeping over the
extravaGant notions OF their degenerate sons in
sacrilegi0usy stringing good old Dutch names with
French articles and propositions as enc would
fresh onions with stale straws, their mourning
would have certainly been turned to JOY at the
sight Of
THE CLOUDS OF sxovs
IN which the devotees OF st. Nick ate drank and
merriy sung the songs that they themselves we're
that every OF the celebrators made it his bust
ness 10 smoke as much as he could during the even
ang from long pipes Of the standard Of i72o, ample
ammunition to supply which was displayed beside
every dinner plate in tue shape OF o well filed
sancer Of tobacco James n. Mclean was the pre-.
Orange.fac coat and looked for all the world ike
the picture OF the ancient burgomaster one sees
annually at christmas time displayed in the shop
REGULAR TOAsTs
were as follows, ana were responded to by the fol.
towing named gentlemen
L. est Nicholasn-The sweet delusion O, our infancy
and the adored Saint OF our old age Mr. James ~
Beekman. Music, "Mynheer Van Doack. We
The President Of the United States" Music, "Presi.
1.-THE Governor Of the State Of New York" Music,
sGovcrnors March,"
L The City OF New yorkn-May she always practice
those principles OF virtue and honesty bequeathed
Dutch founders Mayor HavemeyeE Music, Home
s.. .The Union'-Crcated in wisdom and cemented
with blood II only perish with the annhilation Of
all earthly things chauncey d. Depew. Music. Star
THE Army and Nsvy"In the future, as in the past
may their deeds be their greatest glory General Meyer
COM Probabilides1 Music, Rally Round the Flag
q "holandn-The land OF dams and solid principles;
oceans waters have heretofore tailed destroy the
or ume 10 weaken the other William H. B0gcr Musics
Mnhelmus Won Nassauwen"
our sister socictes'i-we greet them a. Co.
workes IN tne noble cause Of charity and bid them
hearty welcome. Music I'VE Are q Band of Brothersn
The Mayor, IN responding to the toast OF "The
City OF New YORK; spoke as folows:-
Ma. PRESIDENT AHp GrynrxsS or rpy ST. N,ruo1.s so
rIrTy-As the representative OF the city thank YOU or
che compliment conveyed in the toast YOU have @ nro
posed and for the cordial which IL has becu
received Personally am highly grarfed in the OBJ
this festive occasion, connected your society IL
with the history OF our city, nvervoven the family
annals Of many Of you with the story Of its settle
snent and with the memorable events which have
Of - founders cannot but awaken the most interesting
yemintecencea carries the mind back 10 the period
when new ferk was mere village and forward 10
~ sbs sndcsSmcDu Which now clgsfsr arourd