Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-04
wHArMFN Eat.


II Is not long since distinguished party oi
French philosophers enjoyed repast entirely
composed of equine materials. The soup
the bouilli, the roti, the outlets, the fricasse
and host of other dishes, were all horse--it
was, in fact a regular horse feed and although
the world in general was inclined to treat II
with horse laugh, the men of science wero
animated by fit of gastronomc benevolence,
and sought to break through prejudice which
appeared to them undesirable with a crowded
population and high price of food. N. PAb-
be LIE Noir has taken up the subject of alimen-
tation, and boldly bids Europe learn the les
sons and consult the experience of the Chi
nese. The worthy Able considers that our di-
etetfc prejudices are simply the result of the
fertility of our soil, and the comparative spar.
sity of our population and if no great catas-
trophe like the barbaric invasions and the o.
verthrow of the Roman empire should again
reduce our numbers, he anticipated the time
when necessity will conquer daintiness, and
we must be content to waste nothing, but eat
everything that is digestible, excepting, we
suppose, Our civilized slaves. French officers
have brought from China and Cochin China
specimens of all kinds Of comestibles unknown
to or unused in Europe, and there they stand
in the bottles and cases of the Conservatoire,
suggesting gustative experiments to all fami-
lies and cooks. NJ. LIE Noir remarks that
while the flesh of the dog is thought in Eu-
rope to be one of the worst kinds Of food, in
China it enjoys an excellent reputation, and
is regularly exhibited for sale in the butchers
shops. Nay more, Chinese farmers breed a
variety of dog with special view to its culi-
nary distinction. 1t is an animal easy to fat
ten, like Berkshire pig, and is known as the
meat dog (chien de Bouchiere.) It resembles
wolf dog, but the tongue aud interior of the
mouth are black. A dog of this kind is at
present one of the inhabitants of Paris. The
commissariat officers bought lot of fatted
beasts in Cochin China, and among them was
this animal, of whom the sailors made a pet
instead Of dinner, and SO his life was spared.
ssSome of our restaurants says the Able,
stare accused of serving up cat for rabbit, but
the Chinese have no need for this mystery,
and their provision shops are decorated by e..
normous cats, suspended either by the head or
tail! Like their domestic companions the
dogs, cats belong to the agricultural system
of the Celestial Empire, and we find these an
imals attached to small chains, and put up to
fatten on refuse rices''
After dogs and cats, the mind naturally
turns to rats, and these, instead of being, as
In England, simply nuisance on farm, are
objects of solicitude and affectionate care.
The Chinese farmer can not only show his
friends the piggery, but also his doggery, his
eattery, and even his rattery. In the corners
of walls he places bottles, in which the rats
make their nests, and in due season he goes
to the rattery for supply of young rats, just
in the same manner, says the Able, as we go
to our dove-cotes to get pigeons for pie !!
Not only do the Chinese take the frog into
their pantries, but they eat all of him, not
confning themselves to the hind legs and e.
ven that more repulsive batrachian, the toad,
is not allowed to escape the omnivorous NAV ;
ssnot single crapaud is lost in China,'' ex-
claims the Abbe, in economic enthusiasm.
The cookery by which these various members
of the animal kingdom are rendered fit for ta-
Bile, is highly priced. The "Chinese are the
best roasters in the world ~ they adopt the old
English plan before bottle jacks were invent
ed, and make twisted thread of worsted turn
their delicacy until ii is nicely done. Then,
whatever the material, it is chopped into
small pieces, savored with a national sauce
called SANTA, and served up with lice, no one
being able to make out what the dish is COM
posed of.