THE ANNUAL DINNER. 



REPORTED BY Z. C. MONTAGUE 



The Annual dinner was furnished in Phenix Hall, Amherst, by R- 

 S. Lincoln, of the American House. The hall was profusely and 

 tastefully decorated with evergreens. The tables were loaded with 

 good things, and fully realized, in provision for the animal wants, all 

 that was expected from the well known reputation of Mr. Lincoln as 

 a public caterer. Plates were laid for 350, and nearly every one had 

 an occupant, a large, and of course, a handsome proportion of whom 

 were ladies, representing the elite, not only of the farmers' wives and 

 daughters of this and the neighboring towns, but also of the literary, 

 scientific and professional portion of the population, of whom no 

 other part of the State contains a larger share than this favored valley. 



By invitation of the President, the Divine blessing was implored 

 by Ret. Geokge E. Fisher of Amherst then, all hands "fell to" 

 with a zest which would have given relish to the the good things, 

 even without the rich sauces and provocatives with which the smoking 

 viands were flanked and supported. Animal appetite, however, in 

 due time gave way for a richer feast to come. 



The President, William P. Dickinson, Esq., op Hadlet, 

 introduced the intellectual feast dishes with a neat and cordial speech 

 of welcome to all. He alluded in the most gratifying terms to the 

 continued and increasing prosperity of the Hampshire society. Eighty 

 new members had been enrolled on its catalogue since the last anni- 

 versary. A new and spacious Hall had been constructed ; and he 



