The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
CURIOUS FACTS FROM HISTORY.

lhe Cheoaiier u AuDlSne, VINO fled tc
England during the French Revolution of
1898, and for while lived there, in straight.
ened manner, accumulated a fortune Of
eighty thousand fIanos by teaching the Eng
lish fashionables how to mix salad He Wis.
tied his patrons 10 carriage, attended by a
servant.
The custom of setting table 10 drink after
dinner was over, was introduced by Mar 60.
rel A,heling the Saxon Queen of Scoiland.-
She was shocked 10 see the Scottish sentl e.
man rising from the table before grace could
be said, and offered cup of choice wine 10
all who would remain.
Fish did not become popular article oi
diet in Greece until q comparatively late pc
riod, and there was a society against "cruelly
TO fish," by abstaining from devouring what
was alleged 10 make the devourer ierocious
and inhuman. With Romaus the mulIet was
priced above all other fish. II was sometimes
served up six pounds in weight, and such q
fish was worth three hundred dollars. 1t was
cooked for the benefit and pleasure Of the
guests. Turtot was next highest in estima-
lion, and occasionally offending slaves were
thrown into ponds to feed them.
The older Romans paid special honor 10
agriculture, as did the Jews. Their coin was
stamped with oymbals connected herewith.
The Greeks refreshed the mouths of their
blowing oxen with wine. Charles the Ninth
exempted from arrest for debt all persons en-.
gagged in the cultivation Of the staple articles
of.agricullure.
Corlez went to Mexico in search Of gold,
but the first discovery he made was ohoco-
late. The monks were the earliest 10 adopt
it, but the generous beverage was considered
a wicked luxury for them, and they were
warned against il. The moraliss eagerly
condemned it. The Spaniards, however, wei.
coined il with enthusiasm.
1t is recorded that Antony once rewarded
his cook with the giil Of a city, for having
prepared repast which elected the encomi.
ums OF Cleopatra.
An English dean, named Novel;, who
hourshed in the turbulent reign of Queen
Mary, was the accidental inventor of bottled
ale. He was out fishing with the fresh drawn
beverage at his side, when intelligence reach.
ed him that his life was in danger. He threw
down his fishng-rod, buried his bottle of ale
in the grass, and fled. Afterwards reclaiming
the bottle, the cork few ou, at the touch,
and the dean was SO delighted with the
creamy condition of the ale, that he took
good care thereafter 10 be supplied with the
"same sort"
Streams and springs OF water were greatly
reverenced by some ancient nations. Ac-
cordiug TO the popular belief of the Greeks,
every spring, stream and fountain had lis
resident deity. The Egyptians sreatlul for
the blessings derived from their beloved Nile,
flung into il corn, sugar aud fruit, as thank
offerings. The Persans and Cappadocians
raised altars beside streams, and paid adora-
tion 10 the god whose existence was evinced
by the cry stall element. The common people
of Rome drank 10 excess of water, both hot
and cold. The former they drank in winter
as a stimulant.
The breakfast of Greek soldier, taken at
dawn of day, consisted Of bread soaked in
wine. Greek paricians sat down daily 10
but one solid meal soldiers and plebeians
parlook of Two. They were accounted Pc
culiariy coarse people who consumed three.
The Romans were in this respect similar 10
the Greeks.
In Rome milk was used as a cosmetic, and
for baths as we'll as for beverage. Five hun
dred asses supplied the bath and toilet vases
Of the Empress Poppwa. Some dozen or two
of the same animals were kept 10 maintain
the decaying strength of Francis I. of France.
Appropos of milk. Butter was not known
either in Greece or Rome until comp araiively
late periods. The Greeks received it from
Asia, and The Romans were taught lis use by
the Roman malrons.
Eggs filled with salt, used to be eaten by
curious maidens, after a whole days fasting
on St. Agnes eve, in the belief that in Tie af
Ter dreams of The maid, her future husband
would be revealed 10 her.