93 a number of old
Revolutionary officers belonging to the First Brigade of Pennsylvania
Militia had a 'very splendid entertainment at Mr. Hill's tavern in
Second Street, near Race Street.' According to a Philadelphia newspaper
account, the company was numerous and truly respectable, and among the
guests on that occasion were the Governor of Pennsylvania, Thomas
Mifflin, and Mr. Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives. At
all these patriotic banquets it was customary to give as many toasts as
there were States in the Union, so that during the early years we
invariably find that thirteen toasts was the rule. As new States were
added, however, extra toasts were added to the list. Just when this
custom died out can perhaps not be definitely determined, but probably
the rapid increase of the States may have had something to do with it,
as the diners probably saw that it was taxing their drinking abilities
too heavily with the addition of each new State. However, at this
Philadelphia celebration the toasts were fifteen, as two new States had
recently been added, and among some of the most interesting are the
following:

The people of the United States--May their dignity and happiness be
perpetual, and may the gratitude of the Nation be ever commensurate
with their privileges.

The President of the United States--May the evening of his life be
attended with felicity equal to the utility and glory of its
meridian.

The Fair Daughters of America--May the purity, the rectitude, and
the virtues of their mind ever continue equal to their beauty and
external accomplishments.

The Republic of France--Wisdom and stability to her councils,
success to her armies and navies, and may her enemies be
compensated for their defeats by the speedy and general diffusion
of that liberty which they are vainly attempting to suppress.

May Columbia be ever able to boast a Jefferson in council, a
Hamilton in finance, and, when necessary, a Washington to lead her
armies to conquest and glory.

The Day--May such auspicious periods not cease to recur till every
day in the year shall have smiled on Columbia with the birth of a
Washington.

Our Unfortunate Friend the Marquis de Lafayette--May America
become shortly his asylum from indignity and wrong, and may the
noon and evening of his life be yet honorable and happy in the