A Librarians' Blow-Out

 In a former life, for a full 15 years, I was a librarian, an ornament of various reference libraries in South London. For most of that time (until I gave up paying the subscription) I was a member of the Library Association, entitled to add the initials ALA to my name if I were so inclined (I wasn't). Clearly, by the time I was a member, the Library Association was long past its glory days – the days when it could host a banquet like this, which took place in 1881 – 

In case you can't read it, let me decipher this Lucullan menu... Under 'Soups' we have Clear Mock Turtle, Julienne and Thick Ox Tail, accompanied by Sherry. Under 'Fish', Salmon with Lobster Sauce, Spatchcocked Eels(!) with Piquant Sauce, and Fried Smelts with Tartar Sauce, all washed down with Hock and Chablis. Next come the 'Entrées' – Kromeskys (bacon and minced meat croquettes) à la Russe, Sweetbreads with Mushrooms, and Mutton Cutlets with Tomato Sauce, accompanied by more Sherry. With that out of the way, it's time for the 'Removes': Roast Fowls with Spaghetti, Ham and Flageolet Beans, Saddle of Mutton and Salades à la Française, complemented by Piper Sec (Champagne). The 'Second Course' is succinctly described – Partridges. Chips. Grouse, and to go with that another Champagne, Irroy (Carte d'Or). For those still conscious, 'Sweets' followed:  Wine Jellies, Maids of Honour, Iced Puddings. An unspecified 'Dessert' rounded off the proceedings, though no doubt cigars and Port were circulated among those still capable of lifting a glass to their lips. 
   This event took place in the West End of London, at the Freemasons' Tavern on Great Queen Street (demolished in 1909 and replaced by the Connaught Rooms), and in the chair was Richard Garnett, Esq., of the British Museum. The presence of the illustrious Mr Garnett might explain the opulence of the occasion. Garnett – who was born, like so many great men, in Lichfield – was a very distinguished scholar and librarian and a prolific writer of biographies, literary histories, essays and poems (one of which, 'Where Corals Lie', was set to music by Elgar in his Sea Pictures). The whole of his working life was passed in the British Museum library (now the British Library), where he rose to become Keeper of Printed Books. Heaped with honours, he was certainly the premier librarian of his time. He was also the father of the critic and editor Edward Garnett and thereby father-in-law of the indefatigable translator Constance Garnett, and grandfather of David (Bunny) Garnett, author of Lady into Fox and The Sailor's Return.
  Richard Garnett was made President of the Library Association in 1895 – surely the most distinguished figure ever to hold that office. Today, I gather, the Library Association no longer has an independent existence, being incorporated into the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. Somehow I suspect their annual dinners are not what they were...