The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-03
THE OYSTER.
A p1soUIsIrIoN ON IT'S vARIE TIES AND
EXCELLENCIES.

A DISoUISITION ON IT'S VARIETIES AND
EXCELLRNCIES.
A Project for the Utilization and Cam
ming Of Oysters in Charleston.
sound and sensible Republican (not the
Republican who tugs at Summers Skirt ana
reyeres the shade of Stevens, but the oid-fash-
ioned Republican who honors his own consa
tution and respects the constitution OF his
fathers,) hardly knows which to desplse the
most-monarchica institutions or the British
oyster Accustomed to the dainty favor Of
the Lynn Haven, the Blue Point, the Bath, the
Mill Pond and other famous varieties, he turns
up his free aud independent nose at the lnsu-
lar egotism which places thu "native" oyster
on q par with the ''native" Englishman. The
tyrant-hating American may admit that they are
on a par, but faur pas, which mars all de-
light. and have no particular claim to dstirc-
tio. save the coppery taste of the one and the
brassy pride OF tho other. And he who VEN
lures to doubt that the American bivalve is in
comparable and not to be surpassed, will be in
LANCER of going to his bier without pewter
accompaniment.
Verify an oyster is an institution Of which
we may be proud. 1t has no North, no South,
no East, no West. There ls nothing sectional
in an oyster, even On half-shell; and now
that the season is dr. wing to q close we may
be permitted to hint that q company has been
formed in Charleston for the purpose of i'm
proving and canning the already we'll known
Charleston oyster. But before narrating what
the company is and what it intends
to do, it will be advisable to de lote few
moments to philosophical consideration
of the habits and peculiarities Of
THE AMERICAN OYSTER,
by that name usually called, the word oyster
being understood to signify the species of os-
tracian bivalve called oStrea edGis OF ostrea edt
Ills, which is characterized by an inequlvalve
shell composed Of two irregular lamellated
valves, of which the convex or under one adj
heres to rocks, piles, or to the she'll Of another
individual. The oyster. therefore, is queer
geniue. As it make its bed it will lie upon it,
being as much indisposed to "shell OUT as
though it were bifurcate instead Of blvalve.
In it's natural state the oyster is always tight,
and not until it becomes loose is it DIT tor
human society. As may be inferred from what
has been said, the oyster is hard drinker, al
though never drunk. Oysters are usually
eaten during the months the names of which
have the letter r in them. The reason of this
is not known unless it is because then oysters
in season. There are many ways OF cooking
the oyster, aud there is the raw, the fry, the
boil, the roast, the scallop and the stew. Some
like them one way and some another, but they
all go the same way al last.
The SADDLE ROCK
is the most famous Of the American oysters,
and is found at Saddle Rock in Long Island
Sound. The rock is about forty miles from
New York, and the oyster to which it gives
name is celebrated for both size and flavor.
They bring higher price than any other oys-
ter which goes to the New York market, often
selling at wholesale at five dollars hundred.
A dozen Of thrsr uysturs, roasted, Is san TO DO
enough to fill every corner in the corporosity
OF a man Of moderate size.
THE SHREWSBURY
is the next in rank with the New York epicures.
It is taken from the Shrewsbury River in New
Jersey, and eau be readily recognized by its
peculiar golden int and very thin shell. The
oyster beds in the Shi ewsbury River are closely
guarded, aud yield an immense income to the
owner. Shrewsburys sell at s12 bushel.
THE EAST RIVER
was in former years considered to be the best
- &ha rlyot hoH
taste and delicate flavor, and was considered
the correct thing at luncheon. Of these man
of elastic temperament might consume Kan
unknown quantity. Or late years, owing to the
building OF the great Manhattan Gasworks on
the banks of the East River, they have acquir-
ed coppery and gaseous taste. This causes
them to be seiulously avoided by all true Irish
men, but they are greater favorites .han ever
with public speakers and members Of lesisla-
tive assemblies.
THE KRYPoRT
is Virginia oyster, which at tender age ls
taken from its natural bed and planted in tho
Raritan River, chanting all the whilo the
plaintiye air of "Who will care for mother
now7" It is allowed to remain in its new home
in peace for two years, and is then dish wor-
thy OF Luculus when he sups with Lucullus
tonight. This oyster is sometimes known as
the military oyster, because it will STAND tire
better than any other kind, always cooking
larger than in its natural state. It is there
fore decided swell.
THE CRAVEN Oh BLUE POINT
from the Passaic River is not to bs despised.
The beds yield these Ane oysters in large
quantities, and being 80 close to the New York
market, they are cold at from 81 to 81 Is per
bushel.
THE BATH
oyster is small, but being firm and delicious in
flavor is sought after by the epcure, and al
ways brings high price. Kathleen Villa, not
the home of Kathleen Mavourneen, but OF
Barney Williams, the we'll known Irish come
dian, is on the banks Of the bay. and Barney
knows no greater pleasure when tho footlights
are turned down, than taking few friends to
his charming villa, where they may be RECALLED
with the order OF the Bath-oysters taken from
his own pond.
In the spring of 1868 large bed Of fine oys-
ters was discovered between Fort Lafayette
and the beach in New York harbor. These
were called the
LAFAYETTEs,
and soon became popular. The prisoners OF
war in t: fort from their bunks looked at the
beds with watery mouths and eager eyes.