midnight
The papers were filled with predictions concerning it ; and the editors , happy fellows , were in ecstasies of joy on account of having been invited to attend . Nor were Messrs. Dayton and Treves forgotten ; but lengthy eulogies upon their abilities to perform the duty assigned them occupied prominent places , and `` steamboat disasters , '' `` horrid murders , '' and `` dreadful accidents , '' were obliged to make room for these . In the course of human events the evening came . Hacks were in demand , and the rattling of wheels and the falling of carriage-steps were heard till near midnight . The chief object of attraction was a small boy , who had attained considerable proficiency in musical knowledge , not of any particular instrument , but anything and everything ; consequently a large assortment of instruments had been collected , upon which he played . As music had called them together , it was the employment of the evening , and the hour of midnight had passed when they were summoned to the tables . Those gentlemen who desired had an apartment to themselves , where wine and cigars circulated freely .