Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 20 February 1856, page 5


THE GARRICK CLUB DINNER.

The first annual dinner of this literary club took place last evening, at Hockin's Family Hotel. The President of the Club, R. H. Horne, Esq., occupied the chair; and James Smith, Esq., the Vice-President of the Club, filled the vice-chair.

The hour appointed was seven o'clock, and within a few minutes of seven about a hun-dred gentlemen sat down to a first-rate din-ner, served in Hockin's best style,; and super-intended by Mr. King, the accomplished artiste in catering, under whose manage-ment so many of the good things of this sort have lately been done. The bill of fare con-sisted of the following:—

SOUPS.

Mock Turtle, Julienne.

FISH.

Trout, Snapper, Salmon Trout.

Roast Beef, Fillets Veal, Lamb, Wild Ducks, Snipes, Plovers, Hams, Tongues, Roast Fowls, Boiled Ditto, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys, Sucking Pigs.

ENTREES.

Cutlets, Tomato Sauce, ditto Cucumber, Oyster Pat-ties, Lobster, Salmon, Salad

SECOND COURSE.

Jelly, Creams, Blancmange, Gelatin a la Napoleon, Pastry, Tartlets, Custards

DESSERT.

Melons, Pineapples, Oranges, Peaches, Apple, Green Gages, Raisins, Plums, Walnuts, Nuts, Almonds, Baskets of Biscuits, Grapes, Cherries,

Preserves

The excellent dinner having been duly honored by the company, the toasts of the evening commenced, and proceeded in the following order;—From the chair—"The Queen" (three times three) Air—"God save the Queen "— "The Royal Consort, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family"

(the usual usual round honors). Air—" Suona la Trompa"—"Her Majesty's Representative in Victoria, his Excellency General Macarthur, Acting Governor" (immense cheering), Air "Malbrook"—"The Emperor of the French and our gallant allies" (loud cheering). Air— " Mourier pour la patrie." This toast was responded to by Mons L Marie—" The Presi-dent of the United States" (loud and con-tinued cheering). Air—"Yankee Doodle" Responded to in an admirable speech by the American Consul.—"The Army and Navy," (immense cheering). Airs—"The British Grenadiers" and "Rule Britannia," Re-sponded to by Dr. Gillbee. The Vice President proposed the toast of the evening—"Prosperity to the Garrick Club"

In introducing this toast Mr. Smith made an admirable speech. This toast was responded to by the President. Mr Henningham pro-posed "The British Drama," which was re-sponded to by Mr. Akhurst. Mr Pavey pro-posed "The Professional Stage," and coupled with the toast the names of G V Brooke and R Younge Esqrs., Mr R. Younge responded to the toast in an excellent speech, in the course of which he expressed, on the part of

Mr. Brooke, that gentleman's regret that his

professional engagements and duty to the public prevented him being present amongst the company. Mr. Akhurst proposed "Music and the Lyrical Drama," and the toast was duly acknowledged. Mr. Edgar Bay then gave "Literature and the Press," and Mr. Sinnett responded. Mr. A. Bliss, in a noble speech, proposed "The Bench and the Bar." Mr. Whipham acknowledged the compliment in a few apt remarks. Mr. Cas-tieau gave "The Medical Profession," which was responded to by Dr. Thomas. Mr. Ed-wards, jun., toasted "The Ladies," and Mr. Neild responded to the same in an admirable style, which displayed the enthusiasm of the speakers and their ability in giving utter-ance to their sentiments. "The President and the Office-Bearers" were last toasted, and the President returned thanks. The remainder of the evening was passed in a cheerful and agreeable manner, highly worthy of imi-tation in some other quarters. We are bound to remark that we believe no similar public dinner has passed off so well, so respectably and creditably to all parties concerned, as the first annual festival of this club, which, be it remembered, was not made and kept exclusive by refusing admission to all but the several worshippers of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, as the case might be; nor was it attempted to secure propriety of demeanor by excluding all colonists except those resident here a con-siderable number of years. The Republic of Letters know no exclusiveness, and the result is a cheerful and gratifying re-union, such a one as the members of the Garrick Club will wish to see repeated at no distant date. Several of the members, Mr. Bliss, Mr. Bagster, Mr. Wilson, and others, assisted the harmony of the evening by some excellent amateur sing-ing: and the speeches of the evening were so good, so appropriate, and so successful, that we regretted that we had not made arrangements for reporting the dinner and the proceedings at length. With good cheer, excellent wine, and the best of company, the entertainment concluded to the gratification of everybody. "Merry and Wise" was the motto of the evening, and was the rule of conduct in every instance. We suspect it will be a very short year before the Garrick Club have their second annual dinner.