242 ANNUAL REPORT 



But at last we returned to find our breakfast waiting, and soon 

 our seats were occupied at the table. Our host then informed us 

 that he had prepared a regular forty-nine breakfast for our spe- 

 cial benefit, and introduced the head cook, who stood up in 

 greasy buckskin, and in a way befitting the occasion, explained 

 the manner and skill required to get up such a breakfast. Next 

 came the speech of welcome by the host, and in response a few 

 chestnuts were cracked by some of our worthy members. 



Our breakfast consisted of seven bull's heads with red pepper 

 sauce, baked beans "a la mode," peppered chowder, Spanish 

 stew, chicken and red i^epper, meat balls, half pepper, Spanish 

 rolls and California wines, which last I suppose was added by 

 way of luxury. 



Our long fasting and ride had given us an excellent appetite, 

 so we leaned forward and devoured our repast promiscuously 

 without noticing some little peculiarities mixed up in the cook- 

 ing. 



After dinner came the regular toasts and every nut cracker of 

 our party declared that they had never seen anything to com- 

 pare with the breakfast given by our host. When we were at 

 SrtU Jose we thought we had found it, at Sacramento we thought 

 we had found it, at the various places where we had been enter- 

 tained we still thought we had found it, but right here at San 

 Eaphael we know we have found it. This was a most supreme 

 moment. We could only suppress our risibilities by thinking 

 the Lord's prayer. 



Our host proved to be equal to the occasion for on our emerg- 

 ing from the dining hall we found the carriages all in line wait- 

 ing to convey us over the west half of the town. Mr. Coleman, 

 again took the lead, and we in all courtesy were bound to follow 

 although at the sacrifice of our contemplated ride out through 

 the Golden Gate. 



Mr. Coleman claimed to be a true Democrat and nothing would 

 do but we must see it all, so we rode and rode until at last we 

 pulled up at a beer garden and all were invited to alight and 

 "take" something. We now found ourselves completely out- 

 generaled and the enemy taking advantage of the situation made 

 bold to charge our lines and spike a few of our guns. 



What effect the foaming lager may have had upon the still 

 wines in a horticultural point of view the world will never know. 



The reading of the report was greeted with hearty applause. 

 The meeting then adjourned till Friday morning. 



