The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-28
A STATE DINNER
GIVEN By CONSUL JOHN NJ, BIRCH
AtNugasalI, Japan, In Honor Ofthe Nations
BIrthday-A swell Anair Graphically
Described : The TOaGts and the
Respopses-ThO Menu etc.


sometime since to the fact that Hon. John
NJ. Birch, Of this city, U. s, Consul at Ma,
gasaki, Japan, intended to celebrate the
Nations birthday in a manner betting
her importance and dignity, That he did
this, is evident, judging from the follow.
lug account Of the celebration, written by
a correspondent at NagasRki Of the Japan
Gazette OF Yokohama;
"John NJ, Birch, Esq, U. S. Consul at
Nsgssaki, wished TO celebrate his first Off,
cial Fourth Of July in the Orient, and the
frat decade Of the second century Of the
existence Of the United States as a nation,
in BETTING manner,
He naturally wished the official aid OF
the U, s. Admiral commanding the
Asiatic squadron OF the United States in
the East, and wired TO Admiral Davis at
Yokohama, asking him to visit Nagasaki,
II possible. The Admiral wired, in reply,
that he would Comeif the port was free
from cholera, and Mr., Birch replied; mo
cholera and no contagious disease what,
ever at this port (Nagasaki),"
Mr.. Birch waited until 10 A, 81, July
9Th, las the Fourth was Sunday and then
made his arrangements, changing his
programme somewhat in consequence OF
the absence OF the Admiral, his Staff and
the Commanders OF the other American
men.Oi-war, who were expected to par.
ticipate in the ceremonies and the official
banquet,
Tho "Fukuya" restaurant was leased
for this special occasion, aud all the
rooms in this celebrated house OF enter.
tainment were set apart for the exclusive
use OF the gueats Of the United States
Consul. The resources oil the house were
taxed to the uttermost, but the peerless
0kanisan was equal to the occasion, and
the affair was a magnificent success.
At the entrance, we were greeted with
an arch OF welcome, the arbOr vitae inter,
twlned with flowers, aud the ilags Of the
United States and Of Japan, The dining
room was exQulsitoly draped with tho
flags Of all the nations having treaties
with Japan. In the centre OF the dining
table was very artistic temple Of liberty
with the American flag at the top, The
Illuminated Menus were delicate works oil
art, as follows: On the first page:
"FUKUHA,h
Monday July 9Th, 1870
Two GetShd, dancing girls extending tho open
hand OF welcome,
AhlGsamd ROnbdnpd,
On the second page:-The flags OF the United
States crossed the old nag with thirteen stars, the
present one with thirty'elght RIarSi above "i776,
Independence Day, 1856
BILL OF. FARE
TOmnLO SOun
Boiled Tai. Potatoes Veal Uu lets. Peas. Roas!
Beef Egg Plant slCCotash.
Roast Chicken. Asparagus. Lob!er Salad. Dessert,
Ice Clean. Coffee,
On the third pIgei-Tho iayorlte flower OF
Japan, the cherry, WA deliCately outlined, aud at
the loot two OtfSha knGeliug, with the good bye,
4laasama SGvOaara,
IenCloso tho menu, and you will observe
that It is suggestive OF the Orient Of DSi
Nippon, and very artistic: the painting
was done by hand.
Alter full Justice had been done to the
"eatables aud drinkables," Mr.. Birch pro.
posed tho health Of the Tenno Of Japan,
the Emperor Of China, and the crowned
heads, as represented by the cOnsuls pres.
ent at dinner. His ExcellenCy Kusaka,
the kenrei OF Nagasaki.ken, has had the
advantage OF foreign travel; hi has been
in Europe, aud In the United States. His
speech was very happy and delivered with
great precision and In pure Euglsh. He
said that 1--WE have to thank America for
giving us two lights: first the light OF the
civilization Of the western nations, intro.
duCed by Commodore Perry In 1852, and
now tho light OF kerosene, SO invaluable,
as giving u cheap and pure light to the
81 100000 Of people in Japan"
As the Chinese Consul is OF the pure
Tarter race and cannot speak English, there
was no response to the toast to China. Mr..
Birch again arose, and spoke OF the love
that all genuine Americans have for the
Mother Country, England" and propos.
ed the health Of the Queen OF England
America, the daughter, old England, the
mother, pulchrd fila, pulchrissima mater.
Mr.. Enslie, Il. D. NJ. Consul, responded.
to this toast in his usual otF.hand, happy,
and felicitoua way.
AS somewhat longing eyes were directed
to the grand dancing hall, Or. Salter then
arose, and referring TO the usual winding
up.toast, 1.-THE Ladies'" remarked, that
just now In the Great Republic, the mu.
steal echoes were still lingering and the
uhAtako uelIb uhu uhtuly yet ceased
sounding the exquisite notes OF that per-
feet poem in music, "Wedding March Of
Mendelssohn, !" in honor Of the marriage Of
the President Of the United States on the
End Of June.
DR.. Salter proposed, "Themarried health
lnd prosperity Of Grover Cleveland, the
President Of the Imperial Republic, and
Df the Presidential Queen no has taken to
bis heart and home, Frances FOlSom."
We then adjourned TO the dining hall. |
Here very pretty daiS had been erected |
md We enjoyed for an hour, the poetry |
of motion Of the corps de ballet, the lovely |
,eiShd Of NagasaEi. About twenty-five |
gentlemen were invited TO this official
dinner.
told you last October Of our farewell
banquet at the Nagasaki Club to General
Jones, the late United States Consul, and |
poke Of the loss to the United States OF |
such an able aud efficient consul. In
John NJ. Birch, the United States has
most able and accomplished officer, and
Mr.. Birch graduated with full honours on
he night Of July 9th, 1885,"
Yesterdays mail brought 10 this city In
addition to the above account, number
II the menu cards used. They arc beautiful