Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-27
WASKEPTAB,.yAD
Our National Holiday Celebrated
at the British Capital.
PUMPKINS AND CORN IN EVIDENCE

Immense One Of the Former - . frssens
to Bayard. Who was Dining with the
Queen, but Remembered His Country
mems Gsthering-simple and Homely
Observance Of the Day BY the President.
Elect-The Day ut the White House.
London, Nov. 27.-The second Thanks
giving dinner Of the American society
hall of the Hotel Cecil. Henry 8. Well
come. chairman of the society, presided
in the absence Of United States Am
bassador Bayard, who with Mrs. Bay
Drd was Commanded" to dine with the
queen at Windsor Castle. The dinner
was on a more elaborate scale than
any of the previous gatherings Of the
society. and about 300 lacies and gen.
tlemen were present. The hall was
splendidly decorated. A special feature
of the ornamentation-in addition to
the stars and stripes. which were
everywhere displayed-was a quantity
of American corn especially brought
over for the purpose. Many American
dishes were on the menu. and some
immense pumpkins had a share in pro-
viding the good things for the table.
Behind the chair occupied by Welcome
was a representation of the statue of
Liberty and a large American eagle,
and near the chairman, on a velvet
ped~-tal, was an enormous pumpkin
Ser a present to Bayard, whose alb
sence was much regretted.
Sent Copy to Her Majesty.
In the middle of the dinner there was
surprise provided for the guests,
when each one present received a
leather bound souvenir containing the
portraits of Bayard and all the Amer
lean presidents, including President
Elect Mckinley, and emblematic pic
lures and designs, historical and polit-
ical. connected with Thanksgiving. the
music of Hail Columbia" and extracts
from Longfellow. Bayard's letter of
apology for not being able to attend
and wishing "God-speed to the land
We all love-" was followed by a tele-
gram from the United States ambassa-
dor at Windsor Castle in which he
said: Your charming souvenir Of the
day We celebrate has just been re-
ceived, and the copy for her majesty
will be presented before your dinner is
over. All who love the United States
and Great Britain will join in mutual
congratulations over the peaceful rela-
lions of the English-speaking peoples
of the world"
Bayard's Sentiment Loudly Cheered.
Bayard's sentiment was greeted with
loud cheering and Welcome, the chair
man of the society, in abiding to Bay
ards regretted absence. said that II
was a good omen that the United
States ambassador was the guest Of the
queen at a Thanksgiving dinner. The
toast to the queen was honored with
unusual energy and with cries Of I'll
ger"
Sir Frank Lockwood. in proposing
''The President of the United States,''
referred to his recent visit to the Unit
| ed States. He bore a message, he said,
| from Baron Russell of Halloween (the
lord chief justice) that he would fain
be with them, but that the death of a
relative prevented him. The toast to
the president was drunk with enthu-
siasm to the music of the Star Span
| gleed Banner" Chairman Welcomes
toast THANKSGIVING" was honored
without cheering. All Of the speeches OF
the evening eulogized Ambassador
Bayard and regarded the queens invi-
tation as great compliment.