Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
A ROMAN BANQUET.
Description of a Dinner Party Where the
Patricians Were Toasted.
rom the New York Home Journal

From the New York Home Journal
The triclinium: A beautiful oblong apart
ment. gorgeously painted with arabesques Of
gold land scarlet upon deep azure groundwork
A circular table, covered with a white cloth
bordered with deep edge of purple and
deeper fringe of gold, stood in the center, and
around In three couches, nearly of the same
height with the board, each the segment Of q
circle. the three forming horseshoe
The cOuches were of the finest rosewood in
laid with tortoise shell and ivory and brass,
strewed with richest tapestries and piled with
cushions glowing with splendid neediework
And over all, upheld by richly moulded shafts
OF Corinthlan bronze, with a canopy of Tyrian
purple, tasseled and fringed with gold.
The method of reclining at the table was
that the guests should place themselves on the
left side propped partly by the left elbow and
partly by pile Of cushions; each couch being
made to contain in general three persons the
head Of the second coming below the right arm
of the first and the third in like manner. the
body Of each being placed transversely, so as
10 allow space for the limbs of the next below
in front Of him.
The middle place on each couch was es-
teemed the most honorable. and the middle
couch % the three was that assigned 70 guests
of the highest rank, the master of the feast for
the most, occupied the central position on the
third o- left-hand sofa.
The slaves stood round the outer circuit of
| the Whole with the cup bearers. but the carver
and Sc ward, If he might be SO termed. occu-
pied that side If the table which was left open
to their atteE lance.
|. No sooner were all placed and the due liba-
tdn made OF wine. with Offering of salt. to
the domestic gOds-a silver group of statues
occupying the center of the board, where we
should now place the plateau and epergne-
than loId burst Of music ushered in three
beautiful female slaves in succinct tunics like
those seen In the sculptures of DIANA with half
the bosom bare, dancing and singing and carry
ing IN their handy garlands of roses and myrtle
woven with strips OF the pEilyra. or inner bark
Of the linden tree, which was believed to be a
specific against intoxication. Circling around
/ the board in time to soft music they crowned
each OF tie guests and sprilkled with rich per-
fumes the garment and the hair Of each, and
then, with more animated and eccentric ges-
/ lures. as the note Of the flute waxed shriller
/ and more piercing. they bounded from the
banquet hall and were succeeded by six bows
with silver basins full of tepid water, perfumed
with costly essences, and soft embroidered nap
kins, which they handed to every banqueter to
/ wash the hands before eating. This done. the
| music died away into "A low. faint close and was
| silent. and in the hush that followed an aged
| slave bore round a mighty flask of Chan wine
! diluted with snow water, and replenished the
| gObiets of stained glass which stood beside
y each guest while another dispensed bread from
| lordly basket of wrought gilded scroll work
| And now the feast commenced in earnest; as
the first course. consisting of fresh eggs, boiled
| hard, with lettuce, radishes, endive and rockets
| olives of Nenatrum. anchovies and sardines
and the choicest luxury of the day-hot sau-
ssges served upon gridirons of silver. with the
rich gravy dripping through the bars upon
/ sauce OF Syrian pranes and pomegranate ber-
! ries-was placed upon the board. Then, to the
melody of Lydian lutes. two slaves introduced
huge silver dish loaded by the vast Drawn of
the Umbrian boar, garnished with leaves of
/ eheyril. and floating in rich sauce Of an
choyies. the dregs Of Coan wine, white pepper,
! vinegar and olives.
! All daintes that we're known in those DAYS
Ininistered TO this feast-systers from Raie
pheasants-a rarity but lately introduced since
Pompeys conquests in the east, having been
| brought all the way from Phasis, upon the
southern shores OF the Black sea; woodcock
from the valleys of Ionia and the watery plains
OF Troas; hvers OF geese forced to al unnatural
size by examining the unhappy bird with figs,
/ and turbots fricaseed in cream, and peac ocks
stuffed with truffies. The wines BY which
these daiDties were diluted differed but little,
a. the visest critics say, from the Nadeirss
! and cherries Of the uinstssnth century.