Middletown transcript., 1883-04-13

A Lecture and Banquet at Smyrna.
A large audience gathered in the Smyrna
Town Hall on Tuesday evening to hear
Colonel A. X. Mcclure, of the Philadel-
phia Times, talk about "The Sunny Side. .:
The entertainment was a most delightful
one from beginning to end. The platform
was tastefully decorated with pretty
blooms and potted plants, and a semi
circle oflarge bouquets designed for pre-
sentation at the end of the entertainment.
A. Lee Cummins presided. Hon. B. t.
Biggs, OF Middletown, and City Comp
troller s. Davis Page, William Sidebottom,
William A. Laverty and H. G. Smith, of
Philadelphia, occupied seats on the plat
form with the orator of the evening and
the presiding officer. The entertainment
was opened with music. Delightsome vocal
solos, duets, trios, quartets and quintets
were rendered by Miss Josephine Cook,
Miss May Bouton, II. B. Chambers, John
Hancock, Albert Rudolph, Samuel HI.
Birkmire, George H. Day, Thomas n.
Allison and Horace Whiteman, all of
Philadelphia. Each selection was much
applauded by the intelligent and discrim-
mating audience. Colonel Mcclure was
introduced by Hon. B. T. Biggs, who paid
him the highest compliment as man and |
a journalist. Mr.. McClure's subject was,
"Take the Sunny Side" and with it he
held the closest attention of his auditors |
for more than an hour. He is sparing of |
GESTURE and slow Of speech. In his dis
course he displayed no oratorial fourishes,
but wove the most beautiful thoughts into
words that fell upon the ear like music
sweet and low. "Take the Sunny Side,"
of home, Of ofreligion, of business, of politics,
of death, even, was the sentiment with
which he so delighted all within the sound
of his voice. During the lecture there was
an unfortunate occurrence. A large oil
painting, with heavy gilt frame, that hung
at the back Of the platform suddenly let
go its hold upon the wall and struck Mr..
Laverty, who sat directly beneath it, a
painful blow upon the head. At the end
of the lecture there was music and then
floral presentations. Mr.. Laverty, in a
most happy little speech, presented Col.
Mcclure, on behalf of the ladies of Smyrna,
a beautiful floral basket. Mr.. Biggs, Mr..
Page, Mr.. Laverty, Mr.. Sidebottom and
the ladies who sung so prettily were
recipients Of handsome bouquets. The
audience were much entertained by the I
presentation speeches and replies. After
the lecture many Smyrna people were in
troduced to Colonel Mcclure and the other
at the Hotel Delaware. (
At eleven O'Clock about sixty invited
guests sat down to supper that they will I
long remember with pleasure. At the t
plate Of each guest was pretty button 9
hole bouquet and a neat menu on which 6
there was a long list of dishes from blue |
points on the half shell to French coffee, {
planked shad and diamond-back '
.errapin. About twelve o'clock Mr.. Biggs, j
who presided, opened the speech-making a
with GA Delaware Welcome" a most
happy effort. The toasts were replied to
n the following order: "Our Honored I
5uest," by Colonel Mcclure; "The {
United States of America" by William n
delaware the Diamond
State" by Col. G. H. Raymond "The e
Jity Of Brotherly Love- by S. Davis 4
Page "The Drummer" by Benjamin A.
1azell; "Our Native Land,'' by L. r. g
ring Handy; "The Press, by w. Scott Il
Way; " Woman" by William A. Laverty. 8
The speeches of Col. Mcclure and Messrs. V
Page and Laverty were particularly pleas r
ng. A quartet of male voices sung "
everal selections. The hour of two A. a
4. had come before the guests dispersed, i
tter hearty vote Of thanks to Mr.. F. S. f.
Phelps, and the proprietor Of the Hotel V
Delaware. Mr.. Phelps, who was for >,
ime resident of Middletown but is now =,
onnected with Wanamaker's Oak Hall Il
lothing store, in Philadelphia, was the Ie
rojector and engineer in chief of the en- q,
and the success of it reflects !,
ouch credit upon his talents as man N
GER