Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1903-10-01
N.Y. TIMES
REMARKABLE BANOUETS.
Given to Dolls, Statues, Etc,
by Eccentric People.

extraordinary banquet some time ago, at
which there were dozens of guests who
could neither unfold their serviettes nor
appreciate the rare wines. When the
guests proper arrived, they found seat
ed at the table, which was strewed with
pale-pink rose petals, a large number
Of half-human-size dolls, deliberately
dressed to represent the famous women
characters in the dramatist's plays. The
banquet must have proved rather long
affair, as each individual quest" was
toasted separately, but the novelty and
picturesQueness of the dinner is unques-
tionable.
Many eccentric people have sent their
names down to posterity merely by en-
tertaining statues and other inanimate
guests at dinner, says the Detroit Free
Press.
The most noteworthy case of this is
that of the late king OF Bavaria, who al
ways dined with bust of Marie An
toinette in front of him, which was re-
garded absolutely the same as if 1t were
he queen herself.
The custom is believed to owe It's
origin to a certain Henry Constantine
Jennings. This eccentric on one occa-
sion purchased statue Of Venus, and
for the first six months after he had
obtained possession of the same, the fair
goddess occupied seat at the head OF
his dinner table, with two footmen In
lace liveries standing behind her, whose
IN v,1o q Yn0Cf
viands before her by way of oblatton.
Mr.. Jennings even went so far as to
have the statue removed when the other
ladies rose and adjourned to the draw
ing-room.
On one occasion a gentleman guest In
a thoughtless moment said something
uncomplimentary about the fair god
dess, which so vexed the host that he
never forgave him.
A short time ago certain lady, who
was an ardent dog-lover, gave most
costly dinner to tiny King Charles
spaniel to celebrate his taking Is prizes
at different shows. The dog was brought
on to the table in a most magnificent
bed lined with white satin and stuffed
with swansdown, while round its neck
was gold collar set with one large dia-
mond.
The little animal was petted and
praised and toasted in bumpers of cham
payne, and was given the epicure's por-
ton of all the dishes served.
Not very long ago company OF the
Third African battalion, who had been
employed in annihilating the swarms Of
sparrows that were eating up the crops
at K4r (Tunis), were RECALLED with an
ONE! 1t containing 5000 eggs, that meas
ured seven feet in circumference.
A few weeks ago this gigantic dish
was recalled to minu by the chief item
on the menu of dinner enjoyed on
the continent, when, to celebrate the
occasion of one of the local school,
masters hens laying her thousandth
egg, the town was decorated, and a
supper was held, a. which the health
of the hen was duly toasted and gi-
gantic omelet partaken Of.
The hen was brought into the room
and placed in marvellous throne
shaped like a huge nest, made of the
finest silk and other gorgeous mate
rails.
This hen banquet reminds us Of the
fat goose of that celebrated lawyer,
Lord Erskine. that frequently dined
at the same table as his lordship A
dinner has even been given to an ele-
phant in America. The elephant was
celebrated performer: and on his ar
rival at certain town the whole pop
ulace turned out to meet him.
The same evening the elephant sat
down to dinner on a specially prepared
chair, and enjoyed Q hearty dinner, and
was duly toasted and praised. Presum-
ably the trainer or the proprietor Of the
show paid for the dinner
Horses, as we'll as men, we're guests
at dinner given by an enthusiastic
equestrian named Arkwright at a fash
ionable country house. Each human
guest was mounted on horse, at the
side of whose back was strapped q
small table, from whence he partook of
tho various courses. The horses dined
at the same time from small troughs
filled with equine dainties.
| she Knew What to Do.
| Tess-And when he asked you if you
wouldn't like him to kiss you, your re-