Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-07-11
Food and its Authorizations.

and the London Quarterlies,l
those grand exponents of British science and
literature.
We have just aslahped on horIprs in risin
from the perusal of an appalling article in
the latter periodical on the subject of " Food i
and its Authorizations" and indeed we be-
gin now to think that
"a scrip with herbs and roots supplied,
And water from the spring."
affords to man safer rejection, in these our
days, than the most costly cafes or the most
sumptuous banqaet ever served up at the
London Tavern, But to the extract:
:" Let US commence with the cruet stand
on our table and analyze its contents mus
tard, black and Cayenne pepper, vinegar
Of mustard, forty,two samples analysed by
DR.. Hassall, all were more or less adulter-
ated with -four for bulk and turmeric for
color. Vinegar is a9ulterated with water
and sulphuric acid. Pepper is mixed up
with ground mustard-seeds and linseed meal |
But Cayenne pepperl hear and tremble ye
lovers of high seasoning out of twenty
eight samples, red-lead, and often in poison
ous quantities., was present in thirteen. Who
knows how many have fallen victims to their |
/ Cayenne cruets?"
We need scarcely say that meat is exempt
from adulteration as long as it remains in
the condition Of Joints; but the moment the
original fibre and form can be hidden the
spirit of craft begins to work. Certain pre-
i judices have always existed against polonies
and suasages, for example, and, if we may
believe witness examined by the Smith
field Market Commissioners, not without
reason. It is an old joke that no donkeys.
exist within twenty miles of Epping, SO ia
nous for sausages but if all the donkey
tribe in England were to fall victims to the
chopping machine they would fail to supply
, the polony and suasage establishments Of the
metropolis. MIR. j. Harper, for instance,
| being under examination, upon being asked
what became of the diseased meat brought
A into London, replied:
t 6 1t is purchased by the soup shops, meat
7 pie shops, and sausage makers. The trade
in diseased meat is very alarming, as any
thing in the shape of flesh can be sold at
/ about one penny per pound, and [ am GER
n tain that if one hundred carcasses Of cows
e were lying dead in the neighborhood Of
London could get them all sold within
twenty four hours. IT don't matter uhat
they died Of"
Alum, possessing the profitable qualities
/; of imparting whiteness and absorbing water,
e is almost always found present in bakers
bread
If The next section affords but cold comfort
b to teetotalers. The process of aduIterating
5 teas-green, black, gunpowder, and Hyson
o is very minutely described, but at such
y length as to preclude its appearance here
d The result, however, is that the least poi
IS sonous of those fragrant infusions are the
Il low-priced teas. Pure green tea is not to
d be found in England or America. 1t is
r, adulterated in China, and its limitations here
it are embellished with Prussian blue, tur-
If meric, and copperas, while the milk we in
h fuse in it is variegated with water. annatto,
o and oxide Of iron. 49, q"
IS Of the ingenious substitutes devised by
II London grocers in the sale Of ground coffee
d we shall say but little, as we, the free citi-
'e zens of this glorious Republic, enjoy the
privilege of roasting or toasting the native
berry to suit our own palates. Neither
g shall we dilate on the impurities of Thames
G. water though such impurities constitute the
&c least unwholesome part of that far famed be-
n verage, the London porter, which we imbibe
n with such unwavering faith. The witches
10 10 Macbeth, indeed, never commingled il
n their internal caldron such baneful ingre
e, dients as meet to amicable rivalry in thC
On brewers vat, to be then transmitted in foam
ne ing bottles and barrels TO cheer British war
ey riors in the Crimea and tardy convalescent
on in North America Coculus indicus AM
en- beans as intoxicators caamus aromaticu
er as substitute for hops; quassia as bitter
lat coriander seeds to impart flavor; ginger an
nd grains Of paradise to give warmth, while
m delectable compound Of green vitrol, alum
eh and salt contribute to give that frothy hea
nd SO much admired in glass and tankard.
Wine is too extensive subject to t
lg- treated here. Let it suffice for the consid
'uf Grafton of those philosophers who have for,
aS sworn all thin potations, that logwood is Ii
most innocuous Of drugs entering into th
red composition of their favorite port.
ing Alas for the dram-drinkers Gin an
yer brandy unsophisticated, arc mere beings
ing the imagination. The ingredients formin
the compound term gin are oil of cinnamon
on Cayenne pepper, sulphate Of zinc, or viii
am vitriol, while the bubbles at the bEirn of tt
pn- glass, usually deemed proof of strength, al
yet alum. almond oil, sulpburic acid, and spiri
ing Of wine. Brandy, so scarce in France, i
eet native soil, and so abundant in England an
IN America. is constructed on basis of cor
led mon whiskey by annering favored rails
bis wine, .inoture 2f grains Of paradise. che
ntil yy-laural water, and spirit Of almond cak
ne A few handfuls of burnt sugar is then adde
ged in order to give the nectar complexion.
But we have exceeded our limits.
1--WE Snuff, the brightener of clouded ides
uty shall close our excerpts. " When mi
TO taps his snuff: boz and takes out pinch
'per little dreams that be is introducing into
well system an enemy which, in the long ru
might master his nerves and produce paral
iml- sis. DR., Hassall detected no less than thr
del poisonous preparations introduced into