After the proper interval for refreshment of the inner man, the PRESIDENT, having assumed the cockéd hat, which, we must be allowed to remark, has never rested upon the brow of a more worthy representative of the old Dutch Dynasty, (he was the very impersonation and embodiment of the Burgomaster) rose and said:

'SONS OF SAINT NICHOLAS: I stand before you this day with mingled feelings of happiness and pride, of exultation and sorrow. Many years, (he went on to say,) had elapsed since he before occupied that chair, and he congratulated the Society upon its prosperity during the interval. He did not know how it was that he was now called upon to preside over the Society, in this present season of distress, as it had been his fortune to preside at the time of the former financial crisis. This country seemed to be visited every twenty years with periods of calamity like the present. He was called to the chair of the Society at the time of the financial crisis of 1837, and under his administration he would not say that it was owing to his good management of the Saint NICHOLAS Society - the season of distress passed away, and prosperity succeeded. And he would undertake to say that this time too, under his administration, the dark clouds would pass away, and all would be brightness and sunshine. He felt like a CAMILLUS Coming back to rule over them; like a CINCINNATUS reassuming the reins of government. He complimented the officers of the Society, the Stewards, all of whose names began with Van, were fitting men to be in the Van-Guard of the Society. The speaker alluded to the Ex-Presidents of the Society, who had so well filled the Chair which he occupied. He spoke touchingly of those of them who were deceased, Chancellor JONES, OGDEN HOFFMAN, STUYVESANT, and MANLY. He regarded Chancellor JONES as the greatest legal mind of his age, and HOFFMAN as a great orator, both in Congress and at the Bar. He then offered as a sentiment,

"THE EX-PRESIDENTS OF THE SAINT NICHOLAS SOCIETY: Honor and reverence to the memory of the Dead, and honor and affection to the Living.'

The gilded effigy of the 'Bird of Saint NICHOLAS' was then brought in, and its head being duly turned to the eastward, to guard against the introduction of any caitiff Yankee, the first regular toast was announced.

'1. SANTA CLAUS: Gude Heilig Man. Music: 'Old Hundred."

The whole company rising, then sang the following hymn, to the tune of 'Old Hundred :'

'LET grown New-York its voice upraise
For him who in the by-gone days,
When we were merry, romping boys,
Brought to each child his Christmas toys.

'Of children's simple joys the head,
The children's bishop honored be;
True to his MASTER, who has said:
'Let little children come to ME.'

'And may New-Yorkers ne'er forget
The grace they in the children see:
Of all the outward graces yet
Most manly is simplicity.'

2. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Music: 'President's March.''

Which was then drank with all the honors.

3. THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. Music: Governor's March.'' 4. THE ARMY AND THE NAVY: Guardians of our Rights; Champions of our Honor. Music: Star Spangled Banner.''

Captain HUDSON, U. S. N., responded briefly. He had not expected to be called upon: he was quite taken a-back, and a sailor never should be taken a-back. The Army and Navy were equally serviceable to the country when the country called

them to her aid. He thanked them for the honor done him, and hoped the Society would ever prosper.

5. HOLLAND: Her history is her eulogy. Music: Wilhelmus Van Nassauwen.'' Hon. A. BELMONT, late Minister to the Hague, responded, and proposed the following sentiment, which was duly honored:

"THE SAINT NICHOLAS SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK: May its members unite in brotherly love, as long as the deep Zuyderzee washes the dykes of the Fatherland, and the broad Atlantic rolls his waves to our sunny shores.'

Mr. J. E. ZIMMERMAN, Vice-Consul for the Netherlands, also responded, and gave the following sentiment:

'THE GOOD WILL AND AMITY Existing betwEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND THE UNITED STATES: May it shine in the hearts of all future generations, as exemplified by the Knickerbockers of the present day.'

6. OUR CITY: The child of Holland. Honest dealing and love of order are her inheritance. Music: Home, Sweet Home.'

6

Rev. Chaplain VERMILYE responded. When it was a question, whether, in consequence of the depression of the times, the annual dinner had not better be dispensed with for this year, he had found, on consulting the Constitution, that it was impossible for the Society 'shall dine on the sixth of December,' are its words. Born and bred in this city, he was on both sides, and from beginning to end, a NewYorker. I speak of New-York with great feeling, for I was brought up, in common with many of our associates, at the feet of that classical scholar and most rigid disciplinarian, JOSE NELSON. There was a social tie among New-Yorkers which, he hoped, would continue to bind us together for all future time, and be continued in connection with the Saint NICHOLAS Society. This city was once more Dutch than now. The old Dutch residences have, for the most part, disappeared, and the splendid new stone edifices have replaced them. The spirit of uprightness is the spirit that ought to actuate us. We suspend when we cannot pay. Our ancestors did not launch forth into stocks, of which I know little. Clergymen do not often indulge in this way. Let us act honestly. The love of order is still dominant among us. See our elections in this city, etc. When it is finished, New-York will be the most beautiful city in the world. I stand up for old New-Yorkers, whether of Dutch, Huguenot, German, Welsh, Scotch, English, or Irish extraction: we all meet here on common ground, and let us be one in love for this city and the Union of which it is a part.

7. THE UNION: 'Eendraght maakt magt.' Music: 'Hail Columbia.''

Hon. R. J. WALKER, Governor of Kansas, being called upon, spoke as follows: 'MR. PRESIDENT and Gentlemen: The honor has most unexpectedly been devolved upon me of responding to the toast, which, I believe, is universally given by the patriotic Saint NICHOLAS Society, in favor of the American Union. Although, gentlemen, most suddenly and most unexpectedly called upon, to respond to this toast, this is a theme which might well raise the emotions and sympathies not only of American citizens, but of the whole human race. It is one which men and nations might discuss, and upon which angels even might look down from their celestial spheres and rejoice with us, over the glories accomplished thus far by the American Union. But, gentlemen, great and glorious as it is, let us all take care that in our day and in our generation, nothing shall be done by any of us by which, in the slightest degree, this great Union, which has accomplished already, in less than three-quarters of a century, so much for our beloved country, and so much for the hopes of mankind, shall ever, by any of our acts or any of our sentiments, be placed in the slightest peril. Let us ever remember, gentlemen, that this American Union of ours is the best, the brightest, per

haps the last experiment of self-government. And as it shall by us be maintained and perpetuated, or broken and dissolved, so shall the light of liberty shine upon the hopes of mankind, or be forever extinguished amid the scoffs of exulting tyrants and the groans of a worldly bondage. But, gentlemen, let us also recollect that there is a great principle which lies at the base of the American Union that principle for which our forefathers fought through the war of the Revolution, and for which we, their descendants, have contended from that period down to the present moment to maintain. That principle, which not only lies at the basis of that Union, but at the basis of all our institutions, is the principle of self-government. It is the principle that the people in every State of this Union and in those inchoate States which, emerging from territorial pupilage, begin to ascend into the constellation of American States, when they form their first constitutions, shall, with you, the youngest, and the eldest of the American States, enjoy the principle of self-government. It is a principle, gentlemen, older than the American Union. It is the principle which led to the American Union. For, as to each one of the Colonies that subsequently became American States, the very principle for which they contended, and which induced them to separate from the mother country was a question involving not many dollars and cents, but simply a small tax on tea that scarcely touched the pockets of a single individual; but small as the question of money was, the principle was deep, was fundamental, was eternal. The principle for which they contended, and which led to that revolution, was the principle of selfgovernment. And, gentlemen, permit me to say that the moment when in any one of the States of this Union-either the States now existing, or the States inchoate - this principle is, in the slightest degree, departed from, that moment will introduce the period when will be stricken down the fundamental principles of the American Government; the principles which led us to that revolution; and will have made the first and I fear, the last step back to monarchy and despotism. As to myself, then, gentlemen for that great principle I have contended all my life; for that principle I have lived, and, GOD willing, if necessary for that principle I am willing to die. Now, then, gentlemen, the great principle of Union we took from the United States of the Netherlands. It was there, gentlemen, that not only under the most tremendous perils and difficulties, not through the Seven Years' War, like our revolution, but for three-quarters of a century, your ancestors fought for the great principle of self-government. And they fought it under the banner of the United States of the Netherlands. We differ from them only in this, that they were the United States of the Netherlands, and now we are the United States of America. The great principle of Union and of Confederacy as distinct and separate States, in its first great successful example, we took from your ancestors in Holland. And how did they fight? How did they fight? There is nothing in the history of Greece or Rome, there is nothing in ancient or modern times, during that eighty years of contest and contumacy, that will compare with the heroism and devotion of your ancestors of the Netherlands in contending for these great principles. They were martyrs in their bloody battle-fields; they were martyrs in the dungeon; they were martyrs amid the torments and tortures indescribable, to which no people ever be fore have been subjected in the history of the world. But still, although in point of num bers, a small and inconsiderable people, contending with the ocean whose surges for the first time in the history of the world, they have driven back and conquered, thus reclaiming their country from the ocean monarch; for three-quarters of a century they contended for these principles, and finally they triumphed. Now, gentlemen, I am sure it would be very wrong in me, at this late hour of the night, to detain you with any further discussion of these great principles. But, with your permission, I will give you a sentiment:

'HOLLAND, THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF CONFEDERATED REPUBLICAN STATES: May it be maintained here until time shall be no more.'

Mr. WALKER'S address was received with renewed and protracted cheering.

8. OUR MOTHERS, OUR WIVES, our Daughters, our Sisters, OUR SWEETHEARTS. Music Let the Toast be Dear Woman.'

The single gentleman appointed to respond, was, unfortunately and unavoidably, prevented from attendance.

9. OUR SISTER SOCIETIES: The grasp of welcome to every hand that comes to help us work out the destiny of New-York. Music: 'We're a Band of Brothers."

MR. J. WARD, President of Saint GEORGE's, responded, and gave as a sentiment: "THE SAINT NICHOLAS SOCIETY AND ITS BENEVOLENT OBJECTS.'

'Mr. ADAM NORRIE, of Saint ANDREW's, gave:

"THE COMMERCE OF NEW-YORK: Though sometimes arrested by a panic, its march is still onward to wealth and greatness.'

RICHARD O'GORMAN, of Saint PATRICK'S, made a few remarks on the liberality and hospitality of this city to foreigners. He proposed :

"THE YACHT HALF-MOON: She missed the way to Kathay, but found a richer port on the shores of Manhadden.'

B. W. BONNEY, of New-England Society, after a few remarks, offered:

"THE FOUNDERS OF NEW-AMSTERDAM AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES: Ever honored and revered by those who came to help them in working out the destiny of New-York.' The following letters of declinature were then read by Steward JOHN D. Van BUREN:

'Sunnyside, December 4th, 1857.

MY DEAR JOHN VAN BUREN: I should have accepted your kind invitation to the Steward's preliminary dinner, had I not been very much worried by the dangerous illness of my factotum at Sunnyside.

'He still is very ill, but I trust is out of danger. I shall have you to get me excused, however, from the great Saint NICHOLAS Festival. I do not feel up to it, I rejoice to find that VERPLANCK is again at the head of the Society. He is worthy of all honor, as I know from personal acquaintance with his various merits, for more than half a century. Yours, very truly,

'JOHN VAN BUREN, Esq.'

WASHINGTON IRVING.

'Lindenwald, December 4th, 1857.

MY DEAR SIR: I beg you to present to the officers and members of the Saint NICHOLAS Society, my thanks for their remembrance of me on the recurrence of their annual Festival, and to assure them that, although I am unable to accept their kind invitation, my heart warmly sympathizes with those feelings of reverence for the memory of our ancestors, love for the Fatherland, respect for the Dutch character, and hospitality and good-will to man, in which their Society had its origin, and which animates their celebrations.

I am, my dear Sir, very truly yours, 'CHARLES VANDERVOORT, Esq, Secretary of Stewards, etc.'

M. VAN BUREN.

'SIR WILLIAM GORE OUSELEY presents his compliments to Mr. Vandervoort, and having this moment received the invitation for the seventh instant, with which the Saint NICHOLAS Society of the city of New-York has been pleased to honor him, hastens to reply to it, hoping that his answer may reach Mr. VANDERVOORT to-morrow.

'Official duties prevent Sir WILLIAM GORE OUSELEY from leaving Washington at this moment; but it is hardly necessary for him to say, that had it been in his power, he would gladly have availed himself of the flattering invitation of the Saint NICHOLAS Society.

'He is well aware that he personally has no claim of fellowship by birth with a Society commemorative of the days of 'Niew Amsterdam,' and is therefore doubly honored by being admitted vicariously, as he doubtless has been on this occasion, to represent his wife; Lady OUSELEY being justly proud of her descent from one of those ancient Dutch families, whose names are not only enrolled in the archives of the renowned historian KNICKERBOCKER, but have been, as has that of the VAN NESS's, for generations linked with the history of New-York, and have shown themselves not unworthy sons of that great and prosperous commonwealth with which Sir WILLIAM GORE OUSELEY has the honor to be connected.

'Willards Hotel, 5th December, 1857.

'H. B. M. Legution, Washington, December 2d, 1857.

'SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the first instant, conveying an invitation to me to attend the meeting of the Saint NICHOLAS Society, at New-York, on the seventh instant.

'You will oblige me by having the kindness to express to the Society my sense of the honor they have done me by this mark of attention, and my regret that I shall be prevented, by public business, from leaving Washington on that day. 'I am, Sir, your obedient, faithful Servant, 'CHARLES VANDERVOORT, Esq., etc., etc., New-York.'

'CHARLES VANDERVOORT, Esq.:

NAPIER

'Albany, December 4th, 1857.

Society of the Stewards of the St. Nicholas Society: 'DEAR SIR: I have delayed my reply to the invitation, with which I am honored by the Stewards of Saint NICHOLAS, as long as it was proper for me to do so, in the hope that I might be able to accept an invitation every way agreeable to me; but I regret to say that my engagements here, at this period of the year, are such as will prevent my being with you on an occasion so full of interest to all NewYorkers, and especially so to me, seeing that an old friend, a son of New-York, distinguished alike for the high qualities and generous sentiments of a cultivated mind, is once more at the head of our Society and presides at the festive board. With the permission of the Stewards, I would ask leave to offer the following toast: "GULIAN C. VERPLANCK: A name distinguished in the Literature of our Country, trusted in the Councils of his Native State, and honored with the confidence of his Countrymen.'

'With great respect, I remain your obedient servant, A member sent up to the President the following distich:

'YANKEE DOODLE borrows cash,
YANKEE DOODLE spends it;
Then snaps his little finger at
Brother JOHN who sends it.'

'JOHN A. KING.'

Ex-President J. DE PEYSTER OGDEN being called out by the company, responded in an eloquent and characteristic address on Holland. He concluded with a sentiment.

Dr. CHARLES MACKAY, of England, author of 'A Good Time Coming,' and other songs, was then introduced by the President. He said: It may be that you have welcomed me as an Englishman and a stranger. There is an old story of a man, who, when asked if he spoke German, said, 'No; but his brother played the Germanflute. I have been in Holland; and I claim to be nineteen-twentieths of an Englishman and Scotchman, and one-twentieth of a Dutchman. I thank you for

your invitation to your hospitable board.