Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23
THANKSGIVING MENU.
Ellice Serena Gets Up an Ideal Din
ner for Next Thursday.
SHE STEAMS HER FAT TURKEY.
How to Prepare the Dainty Dishes That Go
Along With 1t.
HINTS FOB QUEENS OF THE RANGE
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH,

WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPATcH.t
Thanksgiving Day, as we are accustomed
to it, is distinctively and peculiarly an
American holiday; and, although it is now
by custom and unwritten law a permanent
institution, vet it is difficult to determine
how it came to be so. The authorities which
rurport to be authentic as to its origin and
the circumstances which have brought it
about do not by any means hsrmonize. 1t
is, however, agreed that a very common and
prevalent notion that it is traceable to the
Puritans and Plymouth Rock is an errone-
GUS one.
The fact is we'll praved that many days of
fasts and likewise of thanksgivings were
appointed to be obser ged in England in the
time of Queen Elizabeth. During the Rev.
olution fast days and thanksgivings were of
frequent occurrence. After peace was es-
tablished, efforts werU made in some of the
States to keep stated day annually for
Thanksgiving, but this in many cases was
bitterly opposed, but always on political
grounds. Those who doubted the expedi-
ency and even the right of Governor or the
President to fix day and set it apart for
that purpose were of all parties. Among
them was Thomas Jefferson, the author Of
the declaration.
CUSTOM GROWN INTO LAW.
But now it seems to be an accepted insti-
tuition, and as such it is singular example
OF custom making law. For the President
when he issues his proclamation fixing the
day and requesting TIE people to observe it,
has. so it is said, no warrant of law for it;
but singularly also almost every State has
by law declared the day which the Presl-
dent shall appoint for Thanksgiving legal
holiday.
But it is as one of the great social festi-
vals that the majority of people now regard
this day. More and more is it looked for
ward to with ticipations of pleasure, as a
period OF Joy and gratefulness when there
shall be family meeting, when friends are
to be invited and expected to partake of our
hospitality, when the table will be supplied
with good cheer and everybody is expected
to be responsive to those generous feelings
which are round us and touch us on every
side.
On these occasions that cheerfulness and
those offers of welcome must not be for
gotten, lacking which feasts often prove
tasteless. None knew this better than Lady
Macbeth, whose breeding and courtesy will
husband at the banquet cannot touch his
food, and she says in queenly fashion:
My royal lord.
Y ou do not give the cheer; the feast is sold,
Ihat Is not often vouched while tits making,
lis given with welcome. To feed were best al
home;
From themes, the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without 1t.
And now to dinner:
THANKSGIVING MENU.
Raw Oysters,
Thin Slices of Buttered Brown Bread,
Cream Soup,
Salted Almonds, Celery, Olives,
Boiled Fish, Cream Sauce, Boiled Potato Balls,
Steamed Turkey, Oyster Dressing,
Giblet Sauce, Jellied Oranberries, Baked Ham
Baked Macaroni, Creamed Caulifower.
Simmered Onions. Whipped Potatoes
Sweet Bread Salad,
Cheese Straws,
Squash Pudding, Mince Pie
Nuts, Fruits, Raisins
Coffee.