The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-03-05
A ROMAN BANQUET.


food is cooked and served, what table
appointments are in use and all the &C
compartments Of a dinner or banquet,
even though they are conscious that
they would not enjoy such feasting them
selves.
Petronius Arbiter, Q Roman swell and
man about town and boon companion
Of the Emperor Nero, left to posterity one
Of the most celebrated descriptions Of a
feast in Rome in the palmy days Of the
empire, which is known as The Banquet
Of Trimalchio," and II will be not unin-
teresting to see what the iavorite dishes
Of the Roman jeUnSsss dOree were at that
time. Tfimalchio himself Is represented
by PetrOnius as being an immensely
wealthy freedman, pompOus and vain
glorious, pulled up with conceit and rs
vulgar as the skill Of the writer could de-
pict him, but lie had an excellent cook,
fine wines and splendid table service, so
he never lacked for guests at his table
But what concerns us is what Trimal-
chiO's guests bad to eat at the celebrated
banquet. Asan appetizer the host brought
out Opimian Falernian wine. The first
course Of the dinner proper was a variety
Of roast meats, including beef, pork, lamb,
hare and goose. Then came 10 four serv.
ants bearing huge tray containing a
large fish simmering in a river Of sauce
which was spouted over the fish by figures
Of MArsyas on the corners Of the tray.
Bread was also served, but no one cared
for Il ct this time.
While discussing this course 4 great tory
was heard and in rushed q pack Of Spar
tan hounds. They were followed by a
great tray on which was laid a wild boar
Of the largest size, with a cap on its head.
From its tusks hung two baskets made Of
palm leaves, one full Of Syrian, the other
Of Tbeban dates. A big-bearded fellow
with huge knife made q cash in the
bOar's side and out few a flock Of field
fares, which were caught by the servants
-. A., n..a4.-.a -. A. =. -
% S VIZ. nu''eieu ~. 'ne iOom.
YEA 'neie "eIs u.lVen in'o .le pan
tue''S ITU"' ''iIee H.e nUkS anu ir'nai-
Sn'O 49, nis sues'S 70 selec' ',e one 70
- eooNe" 'o' 'ne nsA' COulse' III q iew
dressed and cooked, which the host pre-
'eIcsu y " que U, ','OSe .il0n mao Deen
N ,, A Nv, .a., pretending
y ui''ONeI 'ns' 'ne in"alus mao mol
W" ieno'0u, 'aeeu ti'e cooA SUNNY,
O"' ~ eu'''"s nv" '''e mug o"' 'ei' d 'oau
VI . .a
a''ei sniS 0ouISe was ulS oseu OF 4
OOileu eau was "fousn''nOn large saver
S ~, ny tue ou'ler ana served around
WING eat,ns 'n's 'ne oe''ins o. he pan
que' nal Dsan 70 Ciack ana many ieii
apart anu 'nere ueScenueu . rihs or noop
huns arOunu WIN aiAoaS.er vessels hlled
WIN perfumes Ai'er heipinst themselves
70 ',e'e 'ne guests auen'lon was recalled
70 'ne 'aO'e' "he'e stOod service oil
s~ee'neA'S' among trem sta'ne IN pas
uy, supporting on rs bosom apples oil
various sorts and having clusters oil grapes
'~'heu aDou' ~ mead Ihere we're cakes
9, numerous kinds' and every cake was
nileu WIN sanion-co'ored cordial which
nan out AZ tne slightest pressure.
II snoulu DC OBSERVED that wine accom-
panied every course Of this banquet, and
reIonius says that some Of the guests
mao al they could manage by the end oil
the second course.
Al last came the hnal course consist
ing, IN the hrst place. Of thrushes 10
pastry stuffed with raisins and nuts
Ihen came ounces stuck all over will
Prickies to resemble sea-urchins, snail
on silver gridiron, and what seemed Il
be roast goose, but really made Of pork
and redolent Of pickle and highly sea
soned sauce. At this stage the appetite'
OF the guests declined further duty, bu
Triualchio, who must have been a mar
I Of an unbOunded stomach, ordered fow
brought and fricassed, and this the hos
ate as q relish for what had gone be
fore. Then with mighty libation 10 tn
hoDODs, snded