The quote lists an elaborate menu featuring a variety of dishes and drinks served at a grand event. It includes items like Mount Broiled Shad, cucumbers, potatoes, and specialties such as woodcock on toast and castle artichoke backgrounds. The presence of various drinks, sorbet flavors, cheeses, and desserts suggests a lavish dining experience.
This menu reflects the opulence of the time and highlights the culinary trends prevalent during the late 19th century. The mention of specific dishes and drinks indicates a focus on gourmet offerings, showing how food and dining were significant aspects of social gatherings in that era.