The Portland daily press., 1882-01-20
PRICE 3 CENTS.
CFrasor,s Magazine1

Louis XVIII. AS a Gastronomist.
1t is said that Louis XVIII. in his elaborate
banquets, and even in his tete-a-tete dinners
with NJ. d'Avaray, exhausted the secrets Of the
most refined luxury. The outlets were not
cooked simply on the grill, but between two
otherTcutets; the task being left to those before
whom the tid-bit was placed of opening that
marvellous cassoette, whence suddenly escaped
at once to the delight of the sense both OF taste
and smell, the most delicate gravy and per-
tune. Ortolans were cooked in the bellies OF
partridges capitonaes with truffles, SO that
sometimes his Majesty hesitated for an instant
or two between the delicate bird and the per-
fumed vegetable. Thefrst dinner Of Louis
XVIII, at Compiegne in 1914, which happen
ep to be "dtner maigre," consisted OF four
soups and one hundred different dishes-no
meat Of any kind--and eighty kinds of dessert.
eExcusez du peu." There was committee Of
taste which presided over the fruit destined to
appear upon the royal table, and M. Petit
Radel, librarian of the Institut, was the peach
faster. One day gardener of Montreuil, hav-
ing obtained, by scientific combination Of
gratis, soL,e peaches Of surprisingly fine sort
was very desirous that they should be present.
ed to Louis XVIII: but it was necessary that
they should be first passed by the sworn faster.
He repaired therefore, to the library OF the In
stitut and inquired for M. Petit-Radel, carry
ing with him plate containing four magnif-
cent peaches He encountered some little diff
Guilty. The librarian was much pressed to dis
patch certain work hurriedly wanted. The
gardener was importunate but only requesting
- H.. A., 1t =.
the peaches and his forearm within the door.
Aroused by this contention M. Petit-Radel
opened his eyes which had beatihcally closed
over Gothic manuscript. At the sight OF such
tempting fruit he could not help exclaiming
with delight, "Come ini'' The gardener an
.nounced the object Of his VISIT and the jubila-
tion of a gastronomer spread itself over the
features of the adept, who, stretching himself
in his easy chair, with crossed legs and folded
hands, prepared, after gentle pulling OF HIM
self together, indicated by a significant move
ment of the shoulders, for the important iudg-
ment required of him. Our gardener asked
for silver knife, cut one OF the peaches in
quarters at random, stuck slice on the point
of the knife, and gayly presented it to NJ. Petit
Radel's lips, saying, Taste the juice" With
closed eyes, impassive brow, full CT the impor
tance of his function, NJ. Pett-Radel tasted the
juice without saying word. Anxiety was
visible in the gardeners eyes, when, after two
or three minutes, those OF the judge reopened.
"Goodl very goodl FRIEND" were the only
words he vouchsafed. Wbereupoq a second
slice was presented like the first; only the gar
dener said, in a more assured tone, TASTE the
pulp" The same silence, the same gravity, on
the part of the sage gourInandi but this time
the movement Of the mouth was more sensible,
for he was chewing. At length, after an in
clination of the head, "Ahl very goodI' said
he 1t might have been thought that the sup
eriority of the peach had been established, and
everything said that was needed. Not 50.
sePaste the aroma" said the gardener The
aroma was found to be worthy Of the pulp
and the juice. Then the gardener, who had
passed by degrees from the attitude of suppli-
ant to that of triumpher, presented the last
slice, and with q tinge Of pride and satisfaction,
which he was unable longer to colceal-"Now,"
said he, "taste the whole" Needless to say
that this last mouthful had the same success
as the Others Eis eyes humid with emotion, a
smile wreathing his lips M. Petit-Radel jump
Ell up with effusive joy, and taking the garde-
ner by both hands, with the same etfusion he
might have shown for an srtist-"Ah! mon
ami" said he, "it is perfection. l compliment
you sincerely upon your skill, and from to-mor-
row your peaches shall be served upon the
Kings table,"