Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-23
DEPAKTI KES.
A curious Chapter on food.

The diversity prevailing in different ma
tons in reference TO articles OF food seems to
confirm in its literal sense the proverblal say
ing, that "one mans meat is another mans
poison" Many an article of food which is in
high esteem in one country Is regarded with
adherence in others, which even famine can
hardly surmount.
I'm the Shetland Islands, it is said that crabs
and Holsters abound, which the people catch
for the London market but refuse to eat even
when half starved.
The John Dory is reckoned by epicures
one of the choicest of fish, but in Devonshire,
where it abounds, and also in Ireland, it used
TO be thrown away as unfit for food. There
seems to be some superstition connected with
this, as it is said that Deyonshire cook ilatly
refused TO dress it
Eels, which are abundant and of good quality
in Cumberland and Westmoreland, and also
in Scotland, are regarded by the people
there with as much disgust as snakes.
Skate, which is in high estimation in Eng
land, in Ireland is hardly ever eaten except
by the fishermen.
Scallops, on the other hand, which are
reckoned dainty in Ireland are hardly ever
eaten in England; and although they are
abundant on many of the coasts, few of the
English have any idea that they are eatable.
The cuttlefsh Chat kind which produces
the inky huid) although found on our coasts,
is not eaten by US; but at Naples it is highly
esteemed, and travellers reports that 1t tastes
like veal.
Cockchafers are candied and served up
with other confectionery by the Italians.
The hedgehog no one thinks of eating in
England except the gpsies and some who have
joined them, and who report that it is better
than rabbit.
The sailors in the English and Dutch whale
ships do not eat the flesh OF the whale; but
those in the French whalers with their well
known skill in cookery are said to make a
palatable dish of it.
By almost all the lower classes in England
venison and game of all kinds are held in
adherence, and so are fresh figs.
BY the Australian savages frogs snakes
large moths, and grubs picked out from the
wood-all of which the English settlers turn
from with dsgust-are esteemed as dainties ;
but they are shocked at our eating oysters.
Milk as an article of food (except for
sucking babies) is loathed 10y the South Sea
Islanders. Goats have been introduced into
several of the islands; but the people deride
the settlers with using the milk, and ask them
why they do not milk their sows. On the
other hand, dogs and rats are favorite articles
of food with them.
These last, as is well known, are often eaten
by the Chinese, who also eat salted earth
worms and kind of sea-slug, which most
Europeans will turn from with disgust.
In the narrative of Anson's voyage is a full
account of the prejudice of the South Amer
icans (both Crcoles and Indians) against tur-
tie rs poisonous. The prisoners captured on
tho prize ships warned the sailors against eat
ing il, aud for some time lived on bad ship
beef; but seeing our men thrive on the turtle
they began to eat it-at first sparingly, and at
length heartily. And when set ashore and
liberated, they declared they blessed the day OF
their capture which had introduced 10 them a
plentiful supply of wholesome and delicious
food.
HorseAesh. which most Europeans would
refuse TO eat except at great extremity, Is pre-
ferred by the Tartars TO all other and the
flesh of n wild ASS colt was greatly esteemed
by the Romans.
As for pork. il is on religious grounds that
Jews aud Mohammedans abstain from II, rs
the Hndoos from beef. But the Christians
of the East seem 10 have nearly an equal
aversion to it; and the like prevailed I'LL lately
liz Scotland.
The large shell snail called escargot was a
favorite dainty with the ancient Romans, and
still is so in a great part of the south of Eu-
rope, though most Englishmcn would be half
starved before they would eat it.
In Vienna the large wood ants are served
up and eaten alive.
Small land crabs are eaten alive in China.
The igauana, large species OF hzari, is
reckoned a great dainty in some of the West
India Islands.
And monkey and alligator are eaten both
in Africa and South America; and some trav-
elers who have overcome their prejudices, pro-
nounced them to be very good eating. A
large crocodile or alligator is said to have a
strong musky flavor, but young one tastes
E much Ela L..