The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-24

Sometimes, however, the Peacock was served
in pie, at one end OF which his crest appeared
while at the other protruded the gorgeous
feathers of his tail. On such occasions, and fire.
quently when served as first described, the
gallant knights would swear over the dish to
engage in the succor of such gentle beings as
they might ind in distress, no matter what
peril attended the enterprise. And sometimes
there was then and there a tournament, the
victor in which was permitted further to dis
play his skill in the cutting up of small beasts.
Although the Peacock is still fayorite Christ
mas dish in some sections of England and our
own country, IL is no longer served in such
pOmpous style. The latest instance of the kind
on record occurred at a banquet given by the
Governor OF Grenada to William ", while Duke
of Clarence.
But the dish that has an irresistible charm
for the Englishman, all over the world, is his
Christmas Pudding.
This affair is of quite modern origin, although
il had its progeniJor in the plum. Dorridge of
ancient DAYS. This last was so highly esteemed
that it was always served with the first course.
Into its composition entered the broth of beet
or mutton, thickened with brown bread and,
when half boiled, with further admiXture OF
raisins, prunes, currsnts, cloves, ginger and
mace.
says Addison, IN the Tatler, ''No man of the
most Ilgid virtue gives offense by excess in
plum-pudding OF plum-porrdge." Indulgence
in the latter was certainly eXcusable, for it must
have been spicy and palatable dish; and the
more 80 the greater che pity as II made its last
in 1901.
The plump to which the delectable
porIidge has given place is so we'll known that
no neraiion of its ingredients are necessary
i'm this place.
Next in order to puddings and porridge come
Christmas Pies,
and of these the Enelishmal is not permitted TO
make monopoly, although he is entitled to the
| high honor of their invention. As'early as 1896
| Christmas pies were popular under the title Of
'smutton pies.n At later period neat's-tOngue
! took the place of mutton, the remaining ingre.
| dients being nearly the same as at present.
So hiehly esteemed at one time were these
| Christmas pies that watch was always set
| upon them, to forestall the depredations OF
| thieves. The proper time to commence eating
| them, according 10 old Dr. Parr, who was an
undoubted authority in all such matters, was
| o. SdpientiG or the 10th OF December. Having
| so informed an ipquisitive female, the Doctor
| added:-"But please to say Christmas pie, not
| nlnce pie; miDce pie is puritanical."
| The Puritans, indeed, were bitter foes of any
| thing that savored OF Christmas superstition,
and to their prejudces We are indebted for the
| following amusing stanza:-
| "All plums the PROPHETS sons deny,
And spce-broths are too hot
TTeasOn's in a Deeember-pie.
AND death within the pot"
| But mince-pes OF ''mi1ohed.piesn as they
| were styled in the days of Queen Bess-haye
| survived the assaults of the round-heads; and
\ now their sway, in this country at least, ex-
| tends from the hrst cold snap of autumn to the
In this connection we Will introduce
| The Famous Legend of " Little Johnny
| HOrner,"
remodelled after the following iashion:--
| "PGrvus Johannes HoFner
Sedebat in q corner,
| RIas ChIistmas pie;
IHserllit his thumb,
EgtrGhit plum,
] EgctamaRS, 'Qittd amart plef ON l.