Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-10-04

O'Kane reading room, on the first floor,
where the tables were spread, could
not have been improved on. A large
picture of General Washington took up
much of the space of the north wall. 1t
was surrounded by United States flags,
other national emblems, festoons, &C.,
while on the south wall fine portrait
of the founder of the society, the late
Rev. Dennis O'Ksne, looked as it
were down upon the scene, suggestive
OF presence in spirit if not in the flesh.
The tables had been gorgeously ar
ranged, and were loaded with the
choicest viands of season, Mrs. a. Ram
mel and her sons, who were the cater
ers for the occasion, having prepared q
royal feast on which there could have
been no Improvement. Vari-colored
lights, palms, &c, produced fine ef-
feet and the scene was dazzling.
The guests began to arrive about
eight o'clock and were escorted by the
gentlemen of the committee in.
to the auditorium where cigars
were circulated and about an
hour whiled away in most pleasant
manner in exhilareting and pleasant
conversation. Each guest was stopped
at the door and strip of red, white
and blue ribbon (the badge of the Ly-
ceum) attached to the left lapel of his
coat. A beautiful white rose was next
pinned above the ribbon.
A few minutes past nine o'clock ali
present were invited to descend to the
lower floor and enter the banquettiDg
room. After sill had been assigned
places at the tables, Capt. William II.
Sweeney, President of the Lyceum,
raped the company to order. The
captain stated the object of the cele'
bration in q suocinct manner, after
which Bishop Van de Vyver, who was
among the guests, invoked blessing
upon the collation.. The discussion Of
the feast then followed, and was an
hour spent most pleasantly. The f)l-
lowing was the menu:
Oysters-Keyports on half shell, Norfolks
fried soap--cresm Of clans ;salads-1.obster,
mayonnaise chicken, lettuce and potato; cod
dishes-roast turkey, cranberry sauce, ham
corned beef and roast leg of lamb relsheS and
side dishes-queen olives. chow chow, picked
onions, red beets, celery and pickles lelles-
currant. grape and stra Wberry Swiss cheese !;
fruits oranges grapes peaches, apples and
bananas coffee and cigars.
After the feast had been fully enjoy
ed and cigars circulated, Capt.
Sweeney arose and again raped the
company to order. Attention having
been secured, he proceeded to give
an interesting. history of the origin
aud growth of the Young Mems
Sodality Lyceum. Its object, he said,
was not to make war on other churches,
nor to take any part whatsoever in poll
tics, but to manifest the best of feeling
toward all. Had the Lyceum entered
upon life with other motives, it would
not be celebrating its first decade, but
would have long since entered oblivion.
Can't. Sweeney subsequently, read let
tiers from Archbishop Keane, Assistant
Secretary of War Miklejohn, Senators
Daniel, Mallory, Heitfeldt and others
expressing regrets at their inability to
be present, after which he introduced
Mayor Simpson, who responded to the
toast "Alexsndria."
The Mayor arose amid much ap-
plause, and when it had ceased he made
a happy, original and well-conceived
response which brought forth deafen-
ing applause. In the name of the good
people of Alexandria be extended
hearty welcome to the honored Bishop
of Richmond and his noble coadlutors
who were present. During the Mayors
address he spoke feelingly OF the de"