The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-17

lOgists that this disease was wholly un-
known prior 10 the Declaration OF lnde-
pendonce, CT was before that glorious time
confined 10 the American colonies. IL l7
not our purpose to-day 10 search Tor MS
tOric facts concerning the origin ana de-
NclCpment of this original American mana
dy, that has made the fortune OF many
patent medicine men and undertakers.
Has the national dish anything 10 do with
IL, and what IS 10? As 10 the latter point
there is a widespread difference OF opln-
iOn-in fact, the country seems too large
to serve one single national eplcuicdh
purpose. There Is New E~ngiand-the
Yankee fastness-but no one has ever seen
"a Yankee that grew fat on pork ana Deans
and ErO~wnbrcad-in fact, the average dc
sccndant Of the Pilgrim fathers saves MS
taller two yards of cloth, measured round
the waist. though large quantities OF cot
ton are of late converted there; an I'M
position on the calf of the leg. into bicy-
Gle toilet stuilug. Then. too, the modern
Yankee Is q living crematOrium, whose
entire absorption of pork IS converted into
internal blaze by the quantity OF
black pepper that goes TO spice his dish.
The Middle and Central States are not
known 10 have furnished any particular
gastronOmical eruption. II be then that
the famous hash-hOuse-hash. a com
pound Of original American female inge-
nuity-and mincc pie Dee regarded as SUCH.
The case locks more hopeful lu our own
beloved Virginia. An eminent Richmond
physician boldly declared that there was
10 CUISINE superior To inc amer lfAlNf anu
being asked TO name 81 single wholly
American dish. Doe was silent for "a few
minutes. wrapped Bon deep thought. sud
denly De Strengthened up, his eyes
sparkled. and with the breast-tone OF con
ViCtiOu. hc announced TO the astOnlshed.
hlfilcd listeners. Cabbage and bacon
Indeed. perhaps in this we have struck
the favoiite American dish. not original
American. for tho ancient Romans are
said 90 have been already acquainted
Herewith, for, as an old Louisa farme
Cncc assured me. There is no grease
that sticks 10 cabbage like bacon" Ger
taitly nCre of the grease stuck 10 him.
His hCdy's length was altogether out OF
proportion 10 the diameter. or rather cir
conference. There is also another par
tcular dclicacy ] must mention 10 COM
plote this list and eiNc color TO IL. 10 IS
tie 'pOssum' and ''pOssum' roast that
atteins perfection in Fluvanna county.
Woe TO the uuinitiatcs who. in the pres
once of "a ecu. OF cold Flu" will indulge
therein. lie VIII forever be % mental out
cast. and might ar VOL "shoV on beyond
the belt OF tho yellow fruit. FOR the white
man must hold tho line Of color. even in
culinary particulars. that Is lr1wn be-
tween him and his colored felow-citizons.
Yes. 10 YOU want 10 nave the county
celebrated dish served You. steal away TO
some COlOrcd cabin mean % cabin i'm
hahited by CClCrCd people. II Won will he
ware Of rartakiug too heavily of the cOun-
tvs drink. that dCcOction known as per-
SimmOn beer. and Vcnded by cntarprising
COl0red youths AZ i've cents a gallon. all
will lc wcll. The 'possum roast will. i'm
spite OF the anti-CClOrod prejudi'e. he
found rot only an attractive. hut de-
cidedly cpieufCan dish. that's quite a treat
along with "a zone" Of hot %cornbread or
ashcakc. and certainly dise0lres ike misty
Vanor the spectre Of "Flu's" aristocrlt!c
sentiment.
TO close. let Nc hope that the future
will positively settle the matter Of the va
tional American dish. Why should II not
le. let me suggest 10 the estimable citi-
Gems OF FluvannQ. hv way ~ q Christmas
%iutimaticn. the American bird. The turkey
stuffed With ~persWmons.
KARI, SCUTTRICHT.