New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-01
THE OBSER YER
Makes Random Observations
On the City and Its People

4 Dignity. which vas all the mors
striking because II was accompanied
by repressed mirth and playfuinsss
was eharae teristie Of the men who
once disported al eempounee on cfee'
odile day This was entirely lacking
last Thursday, IT, Is impossible q
speak Of social classes In the United
States without inviting a charge OF
snobbery. but II Is also impossible to
comment truthfully on this years out
Ing without referring to the fact that
the masses predominated. The croeo.
die club dinner was never an exclus-
i've function. Any good fellow" who
had the price. the time. the inclination
and manners was welcome 10 sit and
eat until rigor mortis threatened. The
big politician and the well groomed
buhness man wero In the majority.
They managed 10 hold themselves In
restraint while the speakers were con-
tributing TO the program or At least
had the courtesy 10 adjourn TO anoth-
or spot whore they could do the
speaking. II the urge TO talk was in
control.
One OF the disappointments OF this
years gathering was :he absence of
bright political lights. Someone cir
culated the story that Governor Tenn
pleton intended TO grace the occasion
with his presence. But he was not
there. II was also said that num-
Der OF men who hold state Office
would attend. But, so far as politi-
clans were concerned. the dinner en-
joyed splendid isolation. Not even
telegram OF regret was received.
An effort was made, II Is true, to
provide q speaking program but Sec
rotary Beers realized that the diners
were In no mood TO listen. While the
only speaker introduced was trying to
make his voice heard above the tu-
mutt. there were at least fve other
speeches being made In different parts
OF the hall. some OF the guests being
unable to ,modulate their tones even
IL courtesy demanded II.
The dinner started at 2 o'clock. BY
8, some Of the guests had departed.
leaving the more turbulent element
In control. 1t was enough to make a
Crocodile shed crocodile tears.
We have 1t on the authority of a
Middletown correspondent that a
clergyman In his city has established
new record for reading the New
Testament, having completed his task
IN thirteen hours.
Reading the New Testament In
that length Of time may have its re-
wards. There is the satisfaction of
knowing that you have done some
thing that few others could do. There
Is danger In publishing news of the
victory broadcast, however. Others
may be inspired to hurry through
the same work without hesltating to
reflect on the beauties of the writ
lngs, thereby losing the great benefit
to be derived from thoughtful study
Of the subject.
Reading the New Testament, or
any other valuable book, against
time Is much like doing" Europe in
two weeks, rushing hither and thither
over the countryside and dashing in
and out of large cities with their
ancient landmarks. their lengends
and the charm of centuries which |
even war could not erase. Or it is
ike speeding through the uplands of |
Connecticut in the autumn, your en-
CINE pufsing at the rate of sixty !
miles an hour, your eyes glued on |
he ribbon of road which streams |
past under your radiator, while you
ire unconscious of the riches of |
nature which abound you on every
side.
There is no doubt that the Middle
own clergyman has read the New
Testament many times and is
familiar with its beauti-
Jul lessons. He has done himself no
harm. But reading it for the pur-
bose OF making new records for RAJ
,idity is not recommended to the
iovice.
New Britain republicans who have
een spoken to regarding the chance
f President Coolidge to win re-
omination at the next national con-
ention are unwilling to commit them
elves. So much water may pass