The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-23
Centennial Tea Party in Philadelphia.

Centennial Tea Party in Philadelphia.
The Centennial Tea Party celebr jon
in the Academy Of Music, is descr. ed
in late Philadelphia papers as being an
immense and enthusiastic affair. From
many large quarto pages of report we
select the following:
THE OPENING.
The doors were thrown open at G.
and from that hour until late in the
evening a steady crowd poured into the
hall, and from there to the Academy of
Music. After the exercises in the Acad-
emy had been concluded, the vast audi
ence proceeded to Horticultural Hall,
and soon the tea-drinking room was
crowded to its utmost capacity and the
greatest difficulty was experienced in
keeping the crowd in motion so as TO
clear the hall. After enjoying them
selves in sightseeing and slipping from
the "cup that invigorates," the audi
enca Mt i11:30 p. NJ, vacated the build
ing, and the exercises of the days ceie-
bration were concluded.
AMONG THE SPECIAL MEMENroEs
On sale at the various tables was pleas
ing poem, composed for the occasion by
the venerable Eli X. Price, set to
pretty air by Mary F. Howell, the
music of which accompanied the ballad.
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.
There was present at the party last
week, in company with Colonel A. X.
Mcclure, Mrs. Finch, who isa daughter
of Mr.. Bushrod Washington, who was a
nephew of GenerarG George Washington.
Mrs. Finch is about forty years OF age
and is the nearest living relative to our
first President with the exception Of an
aunt. The first named lady brought
with her a quilt made from the various
dresses worn by Mrs. Martha Washing
ton during the receptions at the Exeeu-
tive Mansion during the term of office
of her husband. She also brought with
her, and placed on exhibition at the
"Connecticut table," q pair of eye
glasses and 4 snu1f-bOX once belonging
to President Washington.
SOME INCIDENTS OF THE CELEBRATION.
At the celebration Mrs. Gillespie was
requested by lady on the stage to ex-
anime an antique porcelain plate, embel-
/ lished by q view of Mount Vernon. The
I lady stated that it had once been in the
possession of the Washington family,
| and that she had brought il from great
distance. After admiring 1t greatly,
| Mrs. Gillespie thanked the lady and said
she would have been happy to place 1t
on her table for exhibition, but that she
was so frequently absent therefrom, she
/ feared to take charge Of so valuable
relic, lest harm should come to it. Then
to her astonishment she learned that
the plate was brought as a present. OF
course, she was anxious to learn the
name of the liberal donor, but with an
emphatic 'never' the lady retired amid
the throng, and was lost sight of.
! Another pretty present was made by
Mr.. Pascal. 1t consisted Of pair OF
earrings in the form OF bell, with
gold clapper, made from part of the bell
beam of the State House. This elegant
and appropriate mementO appeared to
afford the recipient much pleasure.
THE NEW YORK VISITORS.
The lady guests from New York have
expressed themselves so highly charmed
with the entire celebration that they pro-
pose, within the next four weeks, to or
ganize an entertainment similar in
, character in their own city, thus prov
ing that on all sides the enthusiasm is
, spreading on all matters in any way
, connected with the Centennial Celebra-
tion.