198 MEMOIR OF DR. EARVEY. 



was a party of gentlemen, the principal guest being General Scott, 

 Commander-in-chief of the United States army, and one of the 

 Mexican heroes. The dining-room was fitted up like a Gothic 

 hall, the whole of the walls being pannelled and wainscoted in 

 American oak. We sat in wide arm-chairs, so that there was 

 no elbowing. The dinner consisted of all the delicacies of the 

 season. I did not eat canvas-backed duck, preferring grouse 

 from Illinois ; as being farther fetched, they must have been 

 better. The dessert set was all Bohemian glass, very costly, 

 but to my taste not so handsome as China. The style of living 

 of a Fifth-avenue man in New York is more like that of a noble- 

 man than of one of our merchants. 



To-morrow will be a great visiting day, all the gentlemen 

 going to call on all the ladies — 300 are expected to call at 

 Franklin Street. I propose paying but twelve visits, a very 

 moderate number. 



