Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18


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Banquet has SO long enjoyed with refer
ence TO foreign affairs. both being rec
ognized occasions for an exposition Of
| the policy OF the government OF the day.
THE CUTTERS COMPANY OF sHEF-
FIELD.
II Is not uniting that Il should be so.
| The Master Cutler, who gives the annual
feast. Is the head of an association which
Is Of the utmost importance TO the trade
and commerce OF the country. The
Cutters Company OF Sheffield is not quite
so old as some OF the Companies" Of the
City Of London: but. unlike the latter, II
continues to maintain the most intimate
connection with the industry whose name
II uses. II may be said that some OF our
city companies now do little else but
dine, whereas the Cutters annual feast
merely rounds off years OF good service
to Sheffield's staple trade, mainly In
protecting the reputation of its products.
The exact age OF the company Is doubt
full; but the feast given last November by
the Master, Maurice Rogers, who then
entered upon his year of Office land died
before its expiration). was the Nith en-
tertainment OF its kind. IT. c. Wild has
now been formally installed as Master
Cutler. 1t is recorded that in tho year
1924, in which the company was incorpo-
rated. the dinners cost 6s and the wine
26s. Even In 1799--aecording TO a recent
writer In 1.-THE Sheffield Independent
the bill amounted 10 only & Is ed, OF
which nearly half was set down for "ale
or punch" This bill makes a curious
contrast with the menus Of recent feasts
and their catalogue of fine viands and
choice wines. The reign of luxury prob
ably began with this century, for In 1908
the Master Cutler decided that, consider
ing the hardness of the times, the feast
was an unjustifable extravaganza, and
the year was accordingly allowed to pass
without the historic hospitality; and the
following year the feast was held as
usual, but a charge of lbs. each was
made to those who partook Of II.
In these times the outlook would be
black indeed before the Master Cutler
would think OF assuming his honorable
Office without bidding several hundred
OF his fellow-citizens to this sumptuous
banquet. But while the Master Cutler
Is the host OF the occasion he often re-
ceives valuable help in preparing for it.
Thus, ample contributions of game will
come from the fine preserves Of 1.-The
dukeries" surrounding Sheffield, and
there will probably be large gifts Of fruit
from the gardens Of personal friends OF
the Master Cutler. The plate and cutlery
on the table usually come from his own
workshops are often specially made for
the occasion, and invariably form strik-
ing exhibition Of the arts in which Shelf
field Is supreme. At one time the Shelf
field women had a feast to themselves
on the day following that OF their lords
and masters. Their privileges now con-
sist in partaking of eight refreshments"
sitting in the balcony Of Cutters Hall as
soon as the speeches begin, and after
ward following the Mistress Cutler into
the drawing-rOom TO make acquaintance
of the distinguished guests from London.
Their appearance In the balcony Is al
ways the signal for most enthusiastic
cheer from the diners, many Of wipm
subsequently turn with relief from the
views of a prosy speaker TO those OF
Yorkshire beauty. The Cutters Hall, In
which the feast is always held is not a
very imposing structure. From the street
it looks what Il is-a fine piece Of patch
work 1t was first built In 1882, altered
and enlarged In 1861, and again in 1887.
The banqueting hall, which dates from
1861, is of noble dimensions and Is finely
decorated in the Italian style, but by
common consent OF all the orators at
every feast is one or the worst possible
places in which 10 speak
THE COLCHESTER OYSTER FEAST.
OF the provincial banquets which in
recent years have menaced the pre-emi !
neneoe Of that annually given by the |
Lord Mayor OF London. the Colchester |
oyster Feast is the only one which Is |
likewise OF a municipal character. 1t is
picturesque survival indeed, of the |
"merrie England" when municipal reform !
was yet un,hought Of, and eating and |
drinking-which were then generally at |
the public expense-aDpeared TO be the |
most useful employment for Mayor and |
Corporation The old records of Col |
chester speak OF bewidering number Of |
municipal junketings in the course OF the |
year, at all Of which oysters-owing TO |
the proximity and fertility of the River
Colhe-were the chief feature. There |
was a feast when the Mayor and Cor
poratlon went in their barge to open the
and another when they closed
them. There was likewise a feast when
they went once year to the Mersea
Stone or "BlockhOuse." TO hold their |
ancient Court Of Jurisdiction, while there
IS evidence OF a liberal consumption OF
oystres at the "Lowance Dinners" al
though no one I'm Colchester now quite
knows what these "'Lowance Dinners"
were. At times the Colchester Cog and
Magog would be seized with remorse-or
Understanding SOlemnly resolve 10 ledst |
no moro at other peoples expense. These
ordinances appear 10 have
lasted a few weeks; but at last the end
really came with the passing Of the
Corporations Act of 1895.
Only one of the many oyster feasts SUR
vived that enactment, and. accordingly
Il became known, I'm the course of a few
years, as the. Colchester Oyster Feast.
1t was the custom Of the corporation to
parade the High street in procession, pro-
claim the fair. and then adjourn TO their
Moot Hall for repast or oysters and
wine This being the only relic of the
Did civic feasting, new importance was
given to the occasion by the Mayor of
Colchester in 1885, when over two hun
ired guests were present, and ever since
he corporation have. with lavish hospi-
.ality, endeavored 10 maintain the pres
ige Of their oyster Feast Its fame was
at its highest point in 1896.
when Lord Rosebery accepted an invita-
ion to be present, and delivered a bril-
liant speech. AT one time the oysters re-
luired for the occasion were a present
% the town from the Colne Fishery
Company, but in the changed circum-
stances OF to-day the cost Of the feast Is
Jorne entirely by the corporation. It's
historic association with the industry of
he Colne water is still recognized, how
,ver I'm the toast, the tenth and last
I,f,, ]