The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-10-01
REMARKABLE RANouETs.
Ffeturesaue dinners That Have Bsen
Given to Dolls, statues, ntes
by Eccentric People.

Clyde Fitch, the dramatist, gave an
extraordinary banquet some time ago, ct
which there were dozens OF guests who
could neither unfold their servlettes nor
appreciate the rare wines. When the
guests proper arrived. they found seat
ed at the table, which was strewed with
pale-plnk rose petals, large number
OF half-human-sizo dolls, elaborately
dressed TO represent the famous women
characters In the dramatlst's plays. The
banquet must have proved rather long
affalr, as each individual guest" 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-
tertalning statues and other inanlmate
guests at dinner. says the Detroit Free
Press.
The most noteworthy case OF this In
that OF the late king OF Bavaria, who al
ways dlned with bust of Marie An
toinette In front Of him. which was re-
gardcd absolutely the samc as II II were
The queen herself.
The custom Is believed to owe its
origin TO a certain Henry Constantine
Jennings. This eccentric on one occa-
sion purchased a statue OF Venus, and
for the frst 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 llveries standing behind her, whose
duty II was TO place the most costly
viands before her by way Of oblation.
Mr.. Jennings even went 30 far as TO
have the statue removed when the other
ladies rose and adjourned 10 the draw
ing-room.
On one occasion gentleman guest In
a thoughtless moment said something
uncomplimentary about the fair god
dess, which 30 yexed the host that he
never forgave him
A short time ago certain lady, who
was an ardent dog-iover. gave most
costly dinner to a tiny King Charles
spaniel 10 celebrate HIS taking 25 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 a gold collar set with one large dia-
mond.
Tho little animal was petted and
praised and toasted In bumpers Of cham.
pagne. and was given the epicure's por-
tion OF all che dishes served.
Not very long ago a company of the
Third African battalion, who had been
employed IN annihllating tho swarms Of
sparrows that were eating up the crops
at Ker (Tunlsl, were regaled with an
omelet containing 8 900 eggs. that meas
ured seven feet IN circumference.
A few weeks ago this gigantic dish
was recalled to mind by the chief item
on the menu OF a dinner enjoyed on
the continent, when. 70 celebrate the
occasion Of one OF the local school
masters hens laying her thousandth
ege. the town was decorated, and
supper was held. at which the health
Of the hen was duly toasted and a 81
gantlc omeIet partaken Of
The hen was brought into the room
and placed In a marvellous thron,
shaped like \ hugo nest, made Of th,
finest silk and other gorgeous mate
rlais.
This hen banquet reminds US Of thi
fat goose Of that celebrated lawyer
Lord Ersline. that frequently dinet
at the same table as his lordship A
dinner has even been given to an ele.
phant IN America. The elephant wai
celebrated performer, and on his ar.
rival at certain town tho whole pop.
ulace turned out 20 meet him.
The same evening the elephant SAL
down TO dinner on a specially prepared
chair. and enjoyed q hearty dinner. and
was duly toasted and praised Presun.
ably the trainer or the proprietor OF the
show paid for the dinner
Horses. as well as men. were guests
at a dinner given by an enthusiastic
equestrian named ArkwrIght at fash
ionahle country house. Each human
guest was mounted on a horse. az the
side Of whose back was strapped
small table. from whence he partook Of
the various courses, The horses dined
at the same time from small troughs
allied with equine dainties.
Amateur Scientist.