Virginia Free Press

OLD ZACK'S TOAST.

The trip of Gen. Taylor up the river, from New Orleans, has been one of a most triumphal character. As soon as the steamer arrived at Donaldsonville, he was taken captive to the dwelling of Judge Nicholas, and introduced to the brilliant array of beauty which had been assembled to greet him. The N. O. Delta says that to do justice to the scene which followed would require an artist of the highest powers. There were two large rooms filled with lovely Creoles, whose dark eyes, beaming faces and cherry lips were lit up with joy and delight at the sight of the brave old hero, who had just returned from the rude scenes of war to share the comforts and enjoy the pleasures of social life. As the old hero came into the room, there was a general rush—or, as an old campaigner styled it, a regular stampede—towards him, to get hold of his hand, or to snatch the long-to-be-remembered kiss from his weather-beaten cheeks. It must be confessed that the old General seemed not to be seriously discomfited by the sturdy attack, but maintained himself against the severe pressure to which he was subjected, with a constancy worthy of the hero of a hundred fights. Having passed this severe ordeal, and made his obeisance in the most touching and memorable form to all the ladies present, both young and old, the General was escorted by the military to the ball room, where a splendid collation had been prepared. For want of time, the company could not sit down to the table, and therefore drank a few toasts standing. "Gen. Taylor" was first drunk with great applause: to which he replied in a brief address, and concluded with the following toast:

The Ladies of Donaldsonville—Unsurpassed in beauty and grace: health and prosperity to those who have husbands, and early marriage to those who have not.