New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-10
EVOLUTIONISTS AT DINNER

LIsH PHILOSOPHER WARMLY WELCOMED
SPEECHES BY THE GUEST OF THE EVENING, AND
BY MR.. EvARTs. wR. BEEcHER JOHN FrsEE, PRO-
FEssORs SUMNER AND MARSH AND CARL
sCHURZ.
A dinner was given at DelmonicOs last even
ing to Herbert Spencer, who is to sail for Ing
land tomorrow. The gathering was large
cultured and brilliant. The Hon. William NJ.
Fvarts presided and made the address OF well
come to Mr.. Spencer, who was greeted III 'ne
heartiest manner. He responded IN speech
in which ne dwelt on the American tendency
TO overwork. Speeches were also MADE Dy
Henry Ward Beecher, John Fiske, Professor
W G. Sumner. Professor 0. c. Marsh and Carl
Schurz.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE DINNER.
1t was o brilliant gathering which began 10 as
semble at Delmoulco's about half-past 6. Men who
Ion ago achieved reputation in their various calngs
at the BAR In the pulpit and In the professors enair'
were among the number. The occasion was one
which could not fail to draw together men OF high
atta,nments 10 do honor at public dinner TO Her
bert Spencer the English philosopher The imme'
diste canse Of the DINNER was the fact tlfat MI.
spencer is 70 sail for his home on Saturday atter-
noon and men of learning we're naturally ANXIOUS
that some expression should he made OF their- 10
spect for his genius and Of gratitude for the nsiuc-
tion and benefit they have derived from MS "orAs'
Since Mr.. Spencer arrived In TINS c"nhtry many
, oaorts had been made 70 induce him to consent 70
| a public demonstrat on IN his honor; but owing W
his health and the fact that he had come mere ior
rest and recreation these efforts had been hlthorto
without result lie finally consented to he present
at the dinner last evening. though not without some
misvivinps rs to the effect it might have upon hh
| physical condition.
! hen the guests had assembled in the reception
room at : o'clock Mr. Evarts, the chairman OF tne
/ EVENING. escorted Mr.. Spencer to the table, fol-
/ lowed By Professor r. l.. Youmrns. Professor w. "
Marsh Professor John Fiske, Sir Richard Temple
Horny Ward Beecher and the others present Inc
/ table at whch the chairman and the guests OF tue
evenioo sat. together with those who responded 70
! toasts was situated on a low platform Oh
/ tha west side of the room. AlT spencer
/ sat on the right of Mr.. Evarts, and Carl
| Scburz on hls left. The tables at which the 10
mainder of the company sat stood at rlgnt aneles u
the charman's table In the gallery at the east emo
- +ba room was stationed an orchestra, when,
during the dinner. performed q running accompani.
ment OF Patience" =" La Mascotte" OnVet'e'
and other popular music 10 the rattle OF hhlVe' anu
forks and the low murmur OF small tsk
,rricb is relished by wise men now
md
with flowers and fruit. Al each end Of the cnair-
r,an,s tahle stood a large vase of exotic plants.
while in the centre rested silver stand hiled WIN
r,rnson and white roses. On the other tables we're
vases of flowers and silver epergnes laden WIN iruie
and tinted with a rosy light from orn'"ehtai
lamps with crimson shades. lhe menu - io'l-
and evidently interesting as IL was careiuliy "'-
tended 10 from beginning to end.
When il had been exhausted and the cigars
were lighted Mr. Evarts rose. He spoke at some
length in regard to the occasion OF the dlhher 'io
| draw forth laughter By his remarks IN regard 10
tbe weusatlsied physical state OF those present
tJis dascrintion of the method by which certain
cannibals endeavored 10 absorb the a'laiu.
ments OF men of genius was receNeo
with hearty laughter. His first m'lllou u
the name of Mr.. Spencer was the signal i'r III ou'
burst of applause, the spOuianelty ana ehe'sS y,
which left no doubt OF the cordial sympa'"' A.-N
hearty admiration entertained by the company Ior
tbo d;stirg,jshed guest OF the evening. When Mr.
T,-ar+s had concluded bis Introductory
snaacb which was followed by loud applause
vr snencer rose slowly and with eVideno
be,tation. lie was greeted with long anu
haartv applause, Mingled with cheers, ana accom-
nanled by the waving of handkeIcheiS "i"ny
who had not seen him before, OWING 10 tue 4uioO
and secluded manner in which lie had pasSeu III,
time since arriving III America crowded ioI"Aiu
in order to study his characteristic features anu
to avoid the possibility OF losing any part ol hi'
sneecb. His high forehead, surmounteu oS IA,
Large bald head his thin iron-gray h"h anu
vbiskers. his keen eyes, half hidden D'hine
their specta les, his firmly compressed NOUN
80 loosely .,aven upper lip and his ruddy English
comDlexion. were noted by many e. es. WIN oiio
hond resting on his hip and the other upon tns
table before him. he spoke ID a low tone renHereo
o.ssar, bv his pbyslcal weakness, IN eonVersF
+ioraI manner and without any attempt at gesture
or oratorieal effect Of any kind lie had
notes of his speech, TO which he oecas'onal'y re,
farred After thanking the assembly iot ulr Alhu
tin, which he had received he said that he mad
Ia,elv given utterance to some opih,
ions about this country when hao
met with a reception more generous tnan ne nau
anticipated He thought that since ms eriti-
ci.rns had been taken 50 kindly, he might Neh'uIo
rron some further fault finding an announcements
at which those present aughed heartily he ,nen
o.,orod ,nto n discussion OF the American
tendency to overwork. lie toucneo u'o" cN'
Lia,,e,nents of the country and said That the Ma
49,, COS f,Il of hustle and enterprise He thought
tbat this fact caused sapping OF the vita powers
,vbicb brought on the debility OF age at
I'D of life earlier than was ne
cessarv He had learned that the
hair of Americans turned gray about ten years
earl,er than that OF Engilsnmen This. he oehevea,
was due to the stress OF business under wmch Al
Americans lived. He spoke of John stuart MIL
whose name was greeted with prolonged
appl,u,e. Mr. Mill had asserted that life was iol
learning and working Nlr. Spencer thought tha
this saving .should be reversed-that iearn
ING and working were for lie. I'M
and many other characteristic utterances oil th'
sneaker were received with marked interest and
were much applauded He was listened 10 'hrousn