A Gigantic Repast.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7722, 26 January 1905, Page 4

A Gigantic Repast.

—• — '■e Matin (l'mis) publishes an account of a colossal banquet in connection! with the celebration by combined Frenph industrial and friendly societies ol' the Festival of Mutuality .(mutual brotherhood). The repast was attended by 30,000 persons, and all the arrangements for it were on a huge scale. Sixteen hundred waiters were kept busily employed attending to the guests, who consumed, it is estimated, about HO,ooolb of edibles. To begin with, 0000 head of poultry were served, and at the same time 35,000 bottles of wine, water, beer, and milk were emptied into the glasses. Representatives attended from all departments, of France, and quaint cordialities were exchanged. Those from Brittany ■presented some of their wine in re,turn for milk und beer from the | table of the CJirondese, who showed ,by the smacking of their lips that they has never before sampled such , a live beverage. At the Marseilles table an immense Russian salad, cleverly seasoned, ;>nd consisting of jabout lOOOgal. was provided ; while at the Lyons table the guests had !no fault to find with a cubic yard |of Gruyere cheese that had been cut into 2700 pieces. Besides these few ! mentioned, there Were tables from all tho other departments of France, and oil the provincial dialects were heard. Men of every belief and shade of political opinion were seated at the 500 taflles. Socialists sat side by side with Conservatives, and Moderates fraiernised with the Extreme party. Men of all ages were present, and it was interesting to note a table for the young hopefuls from the Parisian schools adjacent to one at which veterans were seated. There was naturally a great diversity of costumes among people from all parts of France, and the social castes were quecrly mixed, ranging from the workman to' the millionaire. When the diners reachod tht dessert stage the utmost cordiality prevailed amid the uproar, ant champagne was drunk in honour o mutual brotherhood. A few speech es and an entertainment followei the immense banquet.