New Ulm weekly review., 1879-10-22
DINING IN STYLE.
How the London Lord.MayOr Enter
talns at Table.

HOW the London L0rd.MayOr Enter.
talns at Table.
AND now, IT you please, we will
arrive at the principal entrance of the
Mansion House at half past six in the
evening, and, descending from our
carriage, we will pass up through
crowd of begging urchins, each one of
whom insists chat he opened our car
riage-door, and each of whom is likely
to soil our raiment; then through a
line of stalwart policemen, each one of
whom lifts a huge foreinger and points
respectfully onward. At last we reach
the top of the staircase, and in the huge
covered way We find a crowd of gentle
men, some in brilliant uniforms, some
in plain evening dress, and some in
quaint costumes which represent the
ancient dignity and splendor of Lon
don, all engaged in Juggling at their
white gloves. The English gentlemen
do not wear gloves at the opera, the
concert, or the reception, but they put
them on when they come to see the
Lord-Mayor. That dignitary's car
riage-a miraculous affair, with the
flunkey standing bolt upright behind it
has just driven away, and the Mayor
is now in his retiring-room. where the
accompanying officials are assuming
their robes Of ceremony. Once oloved,
we pass on into an immense hall, bril-
liantly lighted and decorated, through
rows OF gorgeously-attired servants,
until we reach table where polite
young gentleman asks us ou1
names. When he learns who we
are he hands us plan printed
in gold on a white ground, showing tho
position of each table and of every per-
sons seat, our own names being marked
with red pencil mark against them,
that we may all the more readily find
them. Now come throngs, scores, hum
dreds OF personages; Generals, pub
fishers, authors, reviewers, journalists
OF a political and journalists of a poet
ical stripe. Presently there is an awe
stricken silence, and while the band
stationed at one end of the hall plays
classical selection the Sherifs, inspark-
ling uniforws, resembling a combina-
ton of Court suit and Field-M Mar
shars dress, pass through the admir-
ing throng, followed by the bearer of
the sword of office, an imposing medie-
val figure in a long gown and fur
cap, and the mace-bearer, in gown,
but bareheaded. Between these last
two is the Lord Mayor, in evening
dress, and with no other decoration
than collar, with rosette at his
throat, the. insignia of his honorable
office. Behind is q retinue of servants,
handsome boys, beautifully dressed.
The Mayor takes up his position at one
end of the hall, and the master of cere-
monies begins to present, individually,
each of the 300 or 400 guests. The
presentation is entirely democratic,
4" first come, first served;'' there is no
crowdlng down OF the common herd by
titled people. The master of cere-
monies cries our names in stentorian
voice; we 60 up and shake his Lordship
by the hand, then retire to gossip until
another still more stentorian voice is
heard crying, "Your Lordship, and
gentlemen, dinner is served.''
Now, had l the pen of George Au-
gustus Sala (whom we see, rosy and
happy, at this dinner, by the way),
would paint you the banquet's delights.
would indulge in historic reminis-
cences of the great men who have pre-
terred '.clear turtle'' to ''thick tur-
tie" and vice Uersa. I would tell you
now how we are served with q great
variety Of courses of fish, and how
sherry, and hook, and champagne es-
cort these amiable fishes along their
dangerous way. would tell you why
no red wine is served until the dessert
and the speeches are begun together.
But we can see for ourselves the prin-
cipal features Of this banquet, and the
others may be digressed upon at some
future time. The Chaplain says grace
and then the music continues. This
flood OF harmony, which fills every
corner Of the room, is the best feature
OF the Lord Mayors banquet. It i'm,
presses our French, and German, and
Portuguese, and Spanish friends Of the
Llterar- Congress to that extent that
they are quite mute for some minutes
something which has not happened
70 them before within the memory Of
man. 9'as'45.SasI