Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-29
"DELMONICO'S.. 4" !.
s,erIer of a Celehrntrd Rcstnurn,ru,

'N1N
United States, the New York Herald, in
its obituary notice, says
Head and front of the entire mechan.
ism, controlling all the business of all
the houses, was Lorenzo Delmonico,
with a capital of 100000 invested,
with an expenditure of over 81 900, 600
a year, and always with his balance on
the right side OF the ledger. Siro and
Charles were like the sons OF the
Biblical woman, one on his right, the
other on his left, forming trio of res.
taurationary excellence TO whom New
York is largely indebted. When Alexis
was here, he being sailor, il was
deemed the correct thing to dine him.
The jolly tars of the New York Yacht
club got together and resolved to in
vite him to their quarter deck, sling
the hammock of courtesy in their
fo'castr, and overwhelm him with the
binnacle Of their hospitality. They
did it. He came, they ate, and the en-.
tertainmont in honor of the Russian
grand duke was one Of the mosl ele-
CANT of its kind, gotten up in Delmon-
ico's best style. For $1,000 Delmonico
could make fifty people quite CASTRO
nomically comfortable. Whom Charles
Dickens was here he made his home
further up town, but was "A frequent yis-
itor at the Fourteenth street house. He
was heavy cater and a heavier drinkcl.
Two bottles of champagne at lunch
were 4 mere trife to him, but his favor.
ite gargle was brandy. "Givo me a
thimbleful of brandy" said Dickens,
as he was about driving TO the Lecture
Hall. 4 bottle and tumbler were
produced, and considering the size Of
the "thimble" and the fact that il was
literally "full,' it may be said that he
took tolcrably good drink. The Press
club of New York gave Dickens din
ner there, presided over by Horace
Greeley, and the speech Of the occasion
was made by Henry y Raymond. All
the press nobs were there, and very
iovial evening was passed. When Cen
eral Grant was general he breakfasted
in the smaller room with Horace Gree
ley, and subsequently A. T. Stewart,
Edwards Pierrepont and other dis
interested patriots gave him 4 grand
dinner and reception. At the reception,
which was very higl.toned, there was q
dais at one side of the saloon on which
the general stood to welcome those
who crowded in to do him honor.
On one occasion Mr.. Dclmonico
talked freely with representative of
the Herald, who said;
What wages do ron pay, Mr.. Del.
mouico p
"Ten thousand dollars and more the
first of every month"
What renty"
"All told 100000 year. You sce.
besides our houses We have three great
wine cellars downtown. We get wines
and liquors by the 100, 200. 800 casks
at time, and can buy direct much
cheaper than any dealers here can afford
to sell us"
" Do hard times affect you any p
"Yes, indeed, and mainly in wines.
l remember the time when / walked
through tho rooms and saw from one TO
three bottles OF wine on every table.
Now IL we hear cork pop we turn TO
see where IL is and then it's generally
bottle OF Bass"
"some of your orders are silly,
supposeY'
Yes, indeed. We often give dinners
that cost 800 head. Why, sometimes
the flowers for each cost $40, and have
paid as high as $40 for each and every
bill of fare You know tho notices
they have for the ladies'. Well. there
are people who pay as high as $40 each
for those things. SO you see It does
not take long to run up to 500 in that
way"
Delmonico got mp many dinner for
A. L. Stewart, but no matter what
temptations were prepared for the
guest the invariablc dish for the host
was simple chop, with possibly a
plate of chicken broth. Mr.. Stewart
dined many noted people, among them
often General Grant. When the late
Andy Johnson was swinging around the
circle he was festively dined at Del.
monico's, and after dinner held 70.
ception. He was full Of fun, at all
events, and kept his friends in roars oi
merriment. After they we're oil gone
he called 10 his servant 10 "Come TO
bed" Mr.. Delmonco told the Presi-
dent that after his servant had undressed
Il