BANQUET ON BOARD OP THE SUSQUEHANNA. 217 



The new-regent was a small man, apparently about forty-five years old, of more swarthy 

 complexion than any of his suite, and with a slight cast in his left eye. He was remarkably 

 grave and taciturn, seemed to be perpetually awake to the novelty of his position, having at 

 times a restless and uneasy expression of countenance, and never spoke except when he was 

 particularly addressed. It was very evident that he was less at his ease than any person present. 

 This, perhaps, arose from his newly acquired rank, to which he had not yet become accustomed, 

 and possibly some embarrasment may have been caused by the apprehension that he should be 

 wanting in some of the i)roprieties of etiquette at an American dinner table. Perhaps, too, he 

 was not without his fears that, surrounded as he knew himself to be by spies, his visit might 

 bring in its train some unpleasant political consequences. His dress consisted of a dark purple 

 or violet-colored robe and a cap of crimson. The treasurers, both old men with wrinkled faces 

 and scanty grey beards, wore similar caps, while their robes were yellow. The mayor was 

 attired in a robe of pearl-white grass cloth, and had on his head a crimson cap. The hair of all 

 was put up with massive gold pins, and their girdles were of rich Chinese silk. These various 

 dresses were presumed to be official, and in their diversity of color indicative of difierence of 

 rank. The inferior attendants who stood behind these dignitaries were dressed in blue and 

 yellow with scarlet caps. 



Knives and forks were placed, in our usual fashion, for each guest. The first seemed to be 

 very much in the way of the Lew Chewans ; with the last they did better, and showed some 

 dexterity in making them answer the purpose of chop sticks. This, however, was a matter of 

 but little moment, as, be the implements used what they may, hungry men will contrive in some 

 mode to convey food to their mouths, and the Lew Chewans, like sensible men, manifested no inten- 

 tion of avoiding awkwardness at such a heavy jjrice as the loss of a good dinner ; and the dinner 

 was very good. Turtle soup, goose, kid curry, and various other delicacies formed part of the feast 

 which was spread with bountiful profusion. To the soup the mayor and treasurer did ample 

 justice, and in their apijreciation of its excellence were not unworthy rivals of a London Alder- 

 man. The cabin was sultry, and as the feast proceeded the guests grew warmer, (for they were 

 very much in earnest,) until finally they asked permission to remove their caps, and this having 

 been done, the attendant of each, standing behind, vigorously fanned the uncovered head of his 

 master. Punch followed the soup and furnished tliem with a new gustatory enjoyment. They 

 had given the Commodore some of their saki, and he was now resolved to give them a taste of 

 the saki made in all other parts of the world. So there were French and German wines, Scotch 

 and American whiskey, madeira and sherry, and the gin of Holland, winding up with the sweet, 

 smooth, strong maraschino, which decidedly, in their estimation, bore away the jialm. They 

 smacked their lips and shut their eyes at each siji of the limpid delicacy, and, in short, showed 

 but a very sorry appreciation of the virtue of temperance. And while they were thus almost 

 equalling Christendom in genteel dissipation, Mr. Heine, at the small table, was making a sketch 

 of the group, and Mr. Portman was taking a portrait of the regent. 



After feeding heartily on tlie .substantials, they asked leave to smoke their jiii^es ; it was of 

 course accorded, and the chief treasurer, after a few whiSs, presented his^ with the embroidered 

 tobacco pouch attached, to the Commodore. The mayor and other treasurers followed his 

 example by handing theirs to Captains Buchanan and Adams. There seemed to be no end to 

 the cajmcity of stomach in some of these officials. Preserved oysters and other articles of food 

 sealed up in America, excited an admiration as boundless as their appetites. Part of the dessert 

 28 .1 



