Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-03
ASPARAGUS IN HISTORY.

1t may not be generally known that aspara-
gus was dainty especially priced by the an-
clcnt Greeks, and it is not impossible that it
may have been grown on Olympus and been
s:rvcd at the banquets OF the gods, with am
broslal sauce. 1t is supposed that the MUSES.
on llellcou had beds Of asparagus which they
watercd from Agauippc and EIippocrene But
this is only conjcctured 1t is certain that the
Greek philosophers and heroes ted on aspara-
gus, aud Epicurus was especially fond of it.
The Athenlans cultivated it as devoutly as the
arts aud letters. Among tho ancient Romans,
with whom the art Of cooking was something
almost ms sacred as the priesthood, asparagus
was o tuvorite vegetable, and Apicius taught
how to cook it in his famous cookery books.
julius Cesar loved it, and Napoleon [ and Ma
poleon IL rosembled him 10 having the same
love for it.
Piuy speaks of asparagus in his writings as
q very choice dish. 1t was much liked by He.
logabalus, the cruel monster. but good liver,
among whose celebrated events 10 life was the
Invention OF famous pie made of peacocks
brains and pheasants' tongues. When Lcutel-
Jus was consccrated priest of Mars, Lucius
CecIhus Metellus gave a banquet the bill of
fare CT which has been preserved 10 history.
Among the guests were the Vcstal virgins, and
among tho choice viands asparagus figured
most honorably. 10 the museum of utensils
unearthed iu Pompeii is knife that was used
tor cutting asparagus plants which is model
Tor such knives to-day. The mode of eating the
cooked vegetables was that Of the present time,
with the hngcrswbich preceded forks in Roman
table furniture. Juvenal celebrates the succulent
liant IN his writings, and Cato the Censor pre.
irrrcd 1t to cabbage in the cultivation of which
he was dcvotee.
10 come down to more recent times, William
the Silent used to open his mouth with alacrity
before dish ofasparagus His descendant, King
William lll,ofEhglaDd, brought to that Country
the i,utch method of cutting and eating it, and
;;ausnt TO Dean Swift, who, of course impaired
'ooteia and ancssa, so it became the fashion
aulonE all except Jacobites. 1t any reader doubts
.h's statement about William and Swift he is re-
1'lGn W;;a TO Maeaueys History, vol. ii, page 3SS.
loVc Tor asparagus became historical I,ouis XIV
W \, rance, laIry dotted on it, and his favorite,
nhc. 1c Iompadour, Invented mode of cook
iaH anu serving 1t that still figures on the menus
=, france as Asperegcsa la Pompadour, and
inn saiueu as tue most precious legacy the lady
,ha, I.a ~ het couotry; French memoirs mention
tnat fontenelle, who lived nearly century in
ms old o., age retained his relish for asnarapus
lie lie TX Ilked 1t served in oil, while his friend Cardi-
M'l ,I nuOois liked 1t with sauce. One day, when
i ',.i oalaina was coming to dine with him. be
o'uercu one halt OF the asparagus to be served in
J;n ana t'le other half in sauce Just before the
q, "Ie' ,h "our the news came of the sudden death
lnrm .Me cardinal. Instantly Fontenelle called out
Tr'y 'TvrIniy TO the cook, "A the asparagus in oil y
''''ucnl ana phrase lives 10 history.