Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-17
LUCULLUS IS
REINCARNATED
LADY HENRY SOMERSET ON DIN
NER GIVEN IN LONDON BY
AMERICAN.

Lucullus dimes with Lucullus, was
the aphorism which found its way to
all parts of Rome, and was much spok.
ell about in the city. 1t had it's orig
in in the fact that the steward. know.
ing that the great man lad no guests.
provided for him but one course AMI
that moderately furnished. Lucullus
called the man and reproved him, and
On his excusing himself by the fact
that his master dined alone, he ut
tered the words which have now be-
come historic. Soon after this, lott
erlng one day in the Forum, the great
man met Cicero and Pompey. There
had been i'll will between him and the
latter Oh account of the dispute as to
the command of the war; but in spite
OF this, like men of the world when
they met, they conversed on easy
terms. Cicero saluted him and asked
whether today was good day for
asking a favor of him.
Very much So" was the answer.
Then" said Cicero, 1--WE should
like to dine with you just on the din
ner that is prepared for yourself"
Lucullus was surprised and request
ed days notice, but they desired to
see how he Jared alone, and insisted
upon the time that they mentioned,
At last, however, they conceded that
II their presence he might tell his SER
want that today he would sup in the
Apollo, for so one of his dining rooms
l.
witted them, for every room had it's
complement of furniture. and the ex-
penditure for the dinner to be serv-
e0 was according to it's degree, SO that
the servants, hearing that he would
dine in the Apollo, knew just what
expense and style would be needed,
$4,000 drachmes (about 100000 being
the cost OF every special meal held
in this room,
Lucullus' daily entertainments were
ostentatious and extravagant. Purple
cOverlets were laid on the table, the
plates was adorned with precious
stones, the most expensive musicians
hired, and the greatest diversity of
dishes and the most elaborate cookery
served. His methods of life were, in
deed, laid out for the vulgar to admire
and envy. In the winter time, when
thrushes Chat most envied delicacy
OF the Roman), were not in season,
they could be provided in his fattening
coops. But Lucullus glorified in his
way of living, and his houses, sump-
tuous buildings, filled with paintings
and sculpture, which he had collected
at vast expense, rivaled his table.
His vast buildings at Naples were
suspended upon tunnels through which
he brought in the sea for meats and
fish ponds, and thus his pleasure
houses were built in the water, so that
TuberO the Stole called him Xerxes
in a Gown. His open air balconies
and pOrticOs and belvederes were of
world wide fame. No man lived like
him and no man set the example of
more wanton luxury and a more de-.
PRAYED taste. We fondly believe that
q soberer style of thought prevails
where ostentation and the mere desire
to impress the vulgar have ceased to
be. but is it so? We have to ask our
selves whether Lucullus is not again
reincarnated without the magnificent
qualities which led to his being a man
of fame, while mis- extravaganza was
hut a fOible. The journalists here
have lately written columns on the
birthday banquet given by George A..
kessler, of New York, a member of a
champagne firm, to "a friends. He,
too, went not to his steward, but to
the clever manager of the Savoy no.
tel, and told him that he wished to
give. an original dinner. The guests,
ne said were to dine not in a farm
yard, as the dinner given by him in
New York, but in basket of flow
ers. An hour later, however, the tel
ephone rang. The host had changed
his mind. The guests were to dine
in Venice. The vague instructions
given were that gondola was to be
full of flowers, full moon shining ov-
err the Campanile (Which, by the way,
exists no mOre), and water was to lap
the sides of the boat.
1t is well that Mr. Pruger, the man.
aser of the Savoy, is not man to be
taken unawares and is surprised at
nothing now, certainly not at the de-
mands of wealthy Americans. So
scores of men were set to work dur
inG the day land perhaps this was
the best part of the whole affair, for
let us nope that some of these were
among the unemployed thousands who
are walking the streets in search of
work. and the great courtyard of the
Savoy which forms the principal en-
trance to the hotel was soon trans
formed into lagoon and huge white
gondola was built in the night. Vene-
tan scenery was painted by we'll
known scenic artist and the triumph
of deception was complete.
10 nf ictc
arrived as If summoned by the wand
of some magician. Carts drove to the
door loaded with roses, carnations, Or
chids, cardinals and smilax, from the
purple sky which rachel the court.
yard punches of carnations and Chi
rese lanterns We're hung in festOOns OF
smilaX. The great white gondola was
banked with roses, carnations, and ov-
err prov and stern single blossoms
were scattered. Six inches of water
flooded the courtyard and the obliging
moon came out full over the late cam
panile and shOne over the illusion COM
plete. Six live ducks swan upon
the mimic lagoon and white doves
fluttered over the gauze canopy which
covered the gondola.
On the appointed evening two dozen
guests who were to take their places
in this strange feast were shown into
the great gilded reception room
where every square inch of the wall
was covered with blossoms. Baskets
of roses and orchids hung in every
direction, and through the trellis
work pink carnations were grouped
in every conceivable corner. The won
s1eriDg puaStc StpDnad acrOSc th,a Grim