The sun., 1903-10-06
ANCIENTS GIYEARED BANQUET
BIG TIME FOR LONDONERS, WHO
FIGHT SHY OF DRINKS.

BIG TIME FOR LONDONERS, WHO
FIGHT SHY OF DRINKS.
Word Passed Along Among the visitors
That they Must He Good or Go Homo
in DisSrace-Dlnner Cost $50 Plate
Boston Men Had Five Years Thirst.
BosToN, Oct. 5.-The great red banquet
given by the Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery Company of Boston in honor OF the
Honourable Artillery Company OF London
took place in Symphony Hall tonight.
Nothing like 1t ever occurred in New Eng
land and it is doubtful IL more costly
feast was ever set in this country.
No expense was spared by the Ancients
to make it the most sumptuous affair ever
arranged by a military organization. and
q conservative estimate OF the cost OF
dining 1850 men is $4,000, Of which fully
one-third was paid out for wines. 1t was
champagne right through to the last course,
and the result Of such q flow can we'll be
imagined by those familiar with the capacity
OF the Ancients
1t was wet without, too, for rain fell all
evening. The Londoners drank very con-
servatively, but no wine was wasted, for
the Boston company had a thirst that had
been waiting for nearly five years in antici-
patton OF to-night's feast. Seventy-five
men did nothing else but pour champagne
into the glasses OF the assembled thousand.
The. Britishers did not empty theirs so
frequently as did most of the others, and the
result was that they understood much more
of the speechmaking than did the Ancients 8
and other guests.
-You fellows can drink much more than
we," said one OF the English visitors TO
| THE Sun reporter this afternoon, "and as
we do not care to 20 under at this time OF thc
visit, we are drinking very conservatively
Two OF our fellows were knocked over on
Saturday and we all heard from il. This
| morning we were told that II such n thing
occurs to ny one OF us again the offender
| will be dropped from the company here and
| will have to make the best Of his way home.
| When he gets there he will be dismissed
! from the corps.
This remark explains why tho En- nglish-
men have been dodging highballs, cock
tails and champagne since they arrived here
| To be sent home in disgrace Is something
net one OF them dares risk. even If they
have the inclination to accept the invita-
| tions TO "have one 40 often thrust upon
them by their hosts. The Sun mans
his fellows cared for drink and that they
only accepted taste now and then out
of politeness The attitude of the Honor
ables at the dinner tonight bore out the
| correctness OF this information and in
drinking the many toasts the wine was
barely slipped.
a reception in Horticultural Hall which is
directly opposite Symphony Hall. This
! function was scheduled to occur at 9 o clock
and continue until T. The people who
attended entered the reception hall by the
Falmouth street entrance, checked their
| hats and coats and were in due time pre-
sented to Lord Denbigh, Col. Hedges. Gov.
Bates, Mayor Collins and some Of the other
! Horticultural Hall was splendidly deco
rated with flags and bunting. the American
and English emblems being plentifully
used in conjunction with many shields,
coats Of arms and other devices to give
festive look to the lecture hall and the main
exhibition hall Of the building. In Sym
phony Hall the decorators used 10 900 rores,
5000 wards OF laurel. 5000 yellow chrysan-
themum blossoms and l 900 cases of south
err smilax from Cuba, arranged on walls,
balconies, stage and tables.
The dinner consisted Of eight courses
and the cost of serving it for each individ-
ual was about $50. Eight hundred persons,
900 of them walters, with rs to pour wine,
were required to serve it, Of the wines,
| sOO gallons Is understood to measure the
oapacity of the hosts and their guests.
The cigars. in their silver cases, cost 81 500,
| the cigars alone being valued at $500. the
much talked OF souvenir plates were dis
tributed at the close of the dinner and were
| greatly admired because OF their design
| and rich coloring.
At Q o'clock the speaking began, all the
prominent officers of the two companies. and
state and city officials making few re-
| marks. The red chairs in which the diners
sat are to be sold at 50 each.
The Ancients observed their 268th annual
fall field day by taking trip down the
harbor with their English guests. The
cruise was literally a "trip down the har-
bor." because the entire three hours was
spent inside Boston light. An attempt
| was made to 20 out on the ocean, the plan
being to sail down to Marblehead. but the
| ground swell at the haIbor mouth forc ed
| q change in the course.
Though the water looked calm and
smooth, the ship was rolling and pitching
| at ngles not pleasant for men whose en-
tertainment has been thorough and whose
hours have been late.
On leaving the wharf the steamer was
pointed up stream for q look at the war
vessels In the harbor and alongside the
| navy yard. The passage was noisy with
saluting whistles from tugs, steamboats, and
factories. The sullen black British cruiser
Rotnbution was the first war vessel passed,
and to greet her the band played God Save
the King" A small brass cannon was hred
and the Ancients and Honorables gathered
at the rail to wave caps and handkerchiefs.
The sailors responded with cheers. and the
ships oolors were dipped. The same
! ceremonies were performed, with q change
in the national air. when the American
The Ancients' steamer got no further
than of Nahant. when she was turned
In toward Nantssket. Then she made the
regular excursion route back to town,
striving shortly before o'clock. Luncheon
wss served on the lower deck during the
entire trip.
Latest Marine lnfeillgence.