Before we conclude our sketch we must stop to contemplate a bright spot in the internal history of the factory and remember the day on which it celebrated the completion of the hundredth year of its existence with a festival, to which the joyful feelings of a happy and contented population and the not less hearty than general participation therein from far and near, lent a peculiar solemnity.
The festival was celebrated by the proprietor of the manufactory =Johann Lothar Faber= and his brother =Johann Faber= together with their families and in the midst of the assembled factory hands male and female, as also of all masterworkmen employed for the manufactory and a large number of invited guests.
The 16^{ th} September 1861 was the day fixed for the occasion, chiefly with the view of rendering the festival all the more impressive by a special celebration of divine service in the new church of the village, which had only been consecrated a fortnight before. Preparations of the most varied character occupied both the masters of the factory and their families for some time previously, in order to render this auspicious and happy event a thoroughly joyous festival for their workpeople and all that participated therein, and the remembrance of it no less pleasing than indelible.
Similar feelings however also actuated the workpeople, who exerted themselves with all their power to add to the splendor of the festival, and manifest their good feelings and gratitude in a touching and unexpected manner.
On the eve of the festive day the workmen in a body brought their master a torchlight procession, which, after passing through the whole of the gaily decorated premises, came to halt in the courtyard of Mr. _Faber’s_ house, whereupon the workmen’s singing club performed three partsongs composed expressly for the occasion.
A deputation of workmen consisting of men who had been longest in the factory then handed the master, together with an appropriate address made by their senior member, a handsome and tasteful album as a festive present from them, and a parchment roll on which were printed a dedication composed in verse, then the speech which a workman made in the most spirited manner previous to the presentation of the album, further the songs performed and a list of the names of all the workmen and women. This was certainly one of the most affecting moments and even those men, who had become grey in the service of the factory were unable to restrain their tears of emotion and gratitude.