“Citizen Peabody, as much good nature in his broad face as benevolence in his great heart, moved king among his guests, bestowing a smile here, and a cheering word there; but more particularly consoling the old maids, with whom he is a great favorite.  No sooner had the genteel waiter announced the readiness of the festive board, than each gallant sought him a fair partner, and filed off in procession, those not fortunate enough to possess such an accompaniment being compelled to bear up with one of their own harder sex.  Smooth was among the most fortunate, having succeeded in fettering himself to a Kentucky belle.  Down a long, circular stairway, the procession proceeded, inspirited by sweet music, and soon reached a spacious hall, set out with tables stretching along its whole length, and bedecked with the choicest viands, delicately overlaid with fresh-plucked flowers, impregnating the very air with their delicious odors.  Indeed they looked more like beds of bright flowers trellised with silver and gold.  A din of confused voices resounded throughout the hall as all took seats who could, while not a few added to the confusion by appropriating to themselves the seats of others.  Mr. Smooth, being a man of the world, and Mr. Pierce’s minister extraordinary, took the best seat he could find, and made himself quite at home.  Opposite him loomed out the hard, knotty face of Sir James Muke, who, suffering under the most painful grievance of having been deprived of his seat, so generously provided in a space to the right of the chairman, let loose some very unfashionable and badly moulded oaths.  As if this were not enough, Sir James, whose temper had fairly boiled over, and to the great annoyance of less dignified ears than his own, did hurl most indiscriminately at the heads of astonished waiters several oaths less vile, but more pointed.  ‘Soup! soup!’ he demanded impatiently, at the very top of his voice—­a voice that sounded like the creaking of a door troubled with a chronic disease.  Albeit there was no measuring the latitude Sir James would have allowed his feelings to take in demanding soup, and be-d——­mn the astonished servants, had not Lady Constance Caution, who sat all calm at his left, reminded him in softest accents that ’Citizen Peabody always invoked a blessing before he gave soup.’  Sir James in response kindly thanked my lady for her timely admonition, listened to the blessing as it fell solemnly upon his ear, bowed and extended his plate as the spontaneous Amen concluded the seemingly anxious moment.  Calm but well directed was my lady’s rebuke; deeply did it tell upon Sir James, who, more in imitation of Smooth’s coarse manners, behaved henceforth with more regard to the feelings of those near him.