The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-22

RpJYA he most anIltlldlcu duIudl
event of the kind in this
M part of the state, the annual
" dinner Of the New England
n Society Of Northeastern
A Pennsylvania, was given
last night at the Hotel Jer-
myn. 1t was featured by
the best that could he procured in the
way of cuisine, speaking talent. music
and other appointments each of which
in detail contributes largely to the dis
tinction of such a dinner and which,
combined. served to make last nights
eleventh annual dinner of the society
remarkable for its complete excellence
There were present about 1875 MEM
bers and guests, larger number than
ever before sat down to a New England
spread in this city, and they represent
ed the best Yankee stock of this city,
Wilkes Barre, Pittston, Carbondale,
Honesdale and many towns in this re-
giOn. According to the soCiety's ar
ticles it is necessary for a member to
be descended from a grandsire or
grandmother or former antecedents of
New England blood which had it's be-
ing at least as far back as Revolution
ary times. Not a few of those in the
throng at the Hotel Jermyn last night
can trace their ancestry much farther
back than pre-colonial times and some
of these reel off their genealogical lin
cage by centuries
Custom has made it a privilege for
the Northeastern Pennsylvania New
EnglanderS to boast of their descent,
illustrious in point of deeds and time,
and, as usual, they took advantage of
that privilege last night. Whenever
opportunity was offered for other than
formal conversation, pairs, trios and
groups were felicitatng themselves on
their Yankee PuritaniCal heritage.
One or two of the dinners of previous
years may have had a speaker of more
eloquence, repute or wit than any of
those who responded to toasts last
night, but never has there been a group
of more distinguished and able speak
ers, collectively. They were from
among that class of standard bred
Americans, typically Yankee. who rep
resent the COuntry's best product and
are much sought for just such occa-
siOns. They were: Rev. Andrew V. V.
Raymond, d. D., president of Union
college, Schenectady, n. Y; Charles
Curtis Harrison, LID, provost (presi-
denD of the University of Pennsylva-
mia, Philadelphia; Hon. Sherman
Evarts, Of New York city, son Of Sem
ator Fvarts; Henry S. Durand, NJ. d., of
Rochester n. Y; Hon. Howard X.
Sanderson, of Lynn, Mass. and Rev.
Rogers Israel, rector of st. Luke's
Episcopal church. Of this city.
INFORMAL RECEPTION.
Beginning at Z O'Clock and for an
hour preceding the dinner. there was
a reception in the hotel parlors. Dur
ing this period the speakers We're in
trOduced to many of the members and
guests and the two latter We're given
opportunity for greetings and to square
themselves for the feast and the elo-
quence that was to come.
Major Everett Warren, president of
the society, presided. The vice-nresi-
dent is George SandersOn. who, ac-
cordinG to past custom, will next year
succeed to the presidency. ]. H. Fish
or and A. G. Fuller are respectively the
secretary ana tres eesurer. The committee
of arrangements for the dinner were
\. F. Law, ], II. Torrey, j. II. Fisher,
G. D. Sandcrson, Of Throop, and |.
p Hand, Of Willles-B Barre. II. T.. Paine
Of this city, is the historian.
An examination OF the printed menu
hardly conveys an idea of the delecta-
bility Of the dinner. The hotels cuisine,
which has long been established as par
excellence, was al its best last night
both as regards its service and it's
preparation. Following was the menu:
Grape Fruit
Lynn HaVens
Celery Salted Peanuts owes
Green Turtle
BOuChecS Mushrooms
Filet du Bass, Ecalarle
Cucumbers Potatoes Parisienne
SWeetbrcads. en- Cruustadc
MOntrose Turkey
Trench Peas Mashed Potatoes
New England Punch, Waters
Cigarettes
Quail on Toast, Jelly
Lobster Mayonnaise in Shell
Ice Cream
cake Fruit
Cheese Crackers
Coffee
In designing the menu cards, the ar
tistic and delicate. rather than shown
ness was desired, and Miss Lucia Rit-
tenhouse, Of this city, was engaged to