Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-08-20
Curious facts from History.


The CheTa1er D'Aubigne, who fled to Eng
land during the French Revolution Of 1898,
and for while lived there, in a Strengthened
manner, accumulated fortune of eighty thous-
and francs by teaching the English fashionables
how to mix salad. He visited his patrons in
8 carriage, attended by a servant
The custom of setting at table to drink after
dinner was over was introduced by Margaret
Athellng tlEe Saxon Queen of Scotland She
was shocked to sec the Scottish gentlemen
rising from the table before grace could be
said, and offered cup of choice wine to all
who would remain.
Fish did not become popular article of
diet in Greece until a comparatively late period,
and there was q society against cruelty to
fish" by abstaiuing from dcyouring what was
alleged to make the devourer feroc;ous and
inhuman. With Romans the mullet was priz-
ed above all other fish 1t was served ND six
pounds in weight, and such FISH was worth
worth three hundred dollars 1t was cooked
for the benefit and pleasure of the guests
Turbot was next highest in estimation, and
occasionally offending slaves were thrown into
ponds to feed them.
The older Romans paid sp ecial honor to ag-
riculture, as did the Jews. Their coin was
stamped with symbols connected herewith
The Greeks refreshed the mouths of their plow-
ing oxen with wiue Charles the Ninth ex.
empted from arrest for debt all persons engag-
ed in the cultivation of the staple articles of
agriculture.
Cortez went to Mexico in search of gold.
but the first discovery he made was of choco-
late. The monks we're the earliest to adopt
it, but the generous beverage was considered
a wicked luxury for them, and they were warned
against it. The moralists eagerly condemned
it. The Spaniards, however, welcomed it with
enthusiasm
1t is recorded that that Antony once re-
warded his cook with the gift of a city, for
having prepared repaSt which elected the en-
comiums OF Cleopatra
An English dean, named NOVEL;, who -four
lShed in the turbulent reign of Queen Mary,
was the accidental inventor of bottle ale
He was ont fishing with the fresh drawn bev-
erage at his side, when intelligence reached
him that his life was in danger He threw
down his fishing rod, buried his bottle of ale
in the grass, and fed Afterwards retaining
his bottle, the cork flew out at the touch, and
the dean was 50 delighted with the creamy
condition of the ale that he took good care
thereafter to be supplied With the same Sort
The stream and springs Of water were great
ly reyerenced by some ancient nations. Ac-
cording to the popular belief of Tie Greeks,
every stream, spring and fountain had its resi-
dent deity. The Egyptians grateful for the
blessings derived from their beloved Nile, flung
into it corn, sugar and fruit, as thank offer
ings The Persians and Cappadocians raised
altars beside streams, and paid alteration to
the god whose existence was eyinced by the
crystal element. The common people of Rome
drank to excess Of water, both hot and cold.
The former they drank in winter as stimu-
liant
The breakfast of Greek soldier, taken at
dawn Of day, consisted Of bread soaked in
wine Greek patricians sat down daily to
bat one solid meal soldiers and pebians par
took of two They were accounted peculiarly
coarse people who consumed three. The
Romans were in this respect similar to the
Greeks.
In Rome milk was used as cosmetic, and
for baths as well as beverage. Five hundred;
asses supplied the bath and toilet vases of
the Empress Poppaa, some dozen or two of
the same animals were kept 10 to maintain the
decayin strength of Francis l. of France.
AppFUpos OF milk. Butter vas not known
either in Greece CT Rome until comparatively
late periods. The Greeks received it from
Asia, and the Romans were taught its use By
the Roman matrons
Eggs filled with salt, used to be eaten bv
curious maidenS, after a whole days fasting on
St. Agnes eve, in the belief that in the after
dreams of the maid, her future husband would
be revealed to be-,