Historical Image of the Day

Food and drink menu from United States Hotel, Washington, 1852. The dinner was dedicated to the election of Franklin Pierce as president.

If I were at Franklin Pierce's inauguration, I think I'd be having some saddle of venison from the tenth legion Virginia, ornamented beef tongue, terrapins stewed in diadem, and partridges in pair French style. I mean if the country is going to hell, why not eat? But the real question I would have trouble answering is whether to have celery dressed or celery in stalk. How can one make such a difficult decision?

I also like that it wasn't an open bar.

In truth, if I was at the Franklin Pierce inauguration, I'd probably be trying to feed him poison, but that's for another post.