Life, 1923-07-12 · page 7 of 40
Life — July 12, 1923 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a farewell poem to **Delmonico's**, a famous New York restaurant destroyed by fire on June 19, 1923. The subtitle states: "(Destroyed by Fanatics, June 19, 1923)"—referring to Prohibition enforcement agents who raided speakeasies. The poem, by Arthur Guiterman, nostalgically recalls Delmonico's as a place of elegance and sociability. It mourns the loss of fine dining, oysters, wine from "underground cells" (illegal liquor), and the restaurant's courteous service. The illustration shows well-dressed diners enjoying a final meal. The celebratory cherub border and satirical tone suggest the author views Prohibition—which criminalized alcohol and forced closures of establishments like this—as an affront to civilization and pleasure. The reference to "Fanatics" criticizes zealous Prohibition enforcers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Farewell to Delmonico’s (Destroyed by Fanatics, June 19, 1923) OME all good New Yorkers, if any there be Who think of the days when our city was free, And tell me if aught in your memory dwells More fragrant and fair than your table at Del’s. How gaily our candles we burned at both ends! The waiters were barons—but still were our friends, And brave were the gallants and bright were the belles Who nodded and smiled at the tables at Del's. Good fellowship, courtesy, comfort were there; Your scandalous cocktail was blended with And cold were the oysters and deep in their shells That gleamed on the snow of your table at Del's. And when from your filet so tenderly brown You turned to your window to beam on the town, A bottle of wine from the underground cells Appeared at the side of your table at Del's. No more may a man take his ease at his inn; What once was a virtue is changed to a sin, And Progress is tolling the drearest of knells: Adieu and adieu to the table at Del's! Must all that is gracious and generous pass?— Then, counseled by Omar, we'll turn down a glass And gather a garland of sad immortelles To lay with a sigh on our table at Del's. Arthur Guiterman. % ry, a comicbooks.com