Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-14
CRISEsE DIET.
Generally Wholesome, sutfictenrtn Variety.
and Well Cookeh.

NhN ffri' Subhrhs
The cuisine of the Chinese and the
mode and ceremonies attending their
feasts have done much to give them
a somewhat extraordinary reputation.
be-tiotters, striving to make their
letters brilliant and their books sensa-
tional, have told such wonderful tales
Of bird nest soup, canine hams, grimal-
kin fricassees, rats, snakes, worms,
and other culinary novelties, served up
in such marvellous styles and eaten
with such apparent relish, that their
readers naturally take it for granted
that these things form large bro
portion of the food of the people of
China.
Generally speaking, the diet Of the
Chinese is sufficient in variety, whole
some, and we'll cooked, even if their
methods are essentially different from
our own. Doubtless, many Of the
dishes are found extremely unpalatable
to Americans, because of The quantity
of nut-oil used. and by reason of the
pungent flavor of the large amount of
garlic introduced. In the latter re-
spect, however, the dishes of Southern
Europe are equally Objectionable. As to
| tho assortment of food, it has been
bdlu, tuHt lueEe iS WlueT uluercnCes
perhaps, between the rich and the poor
of China than of any other country.
1t is probably true that the Chinese
use greater variety of meats than
do the people of other COUNT los,
although but little land is set apart for
| grazing or for the cultivation of food
| fol live stock. beef is not common
meat, principally because of the Budd-
histic prejudice against killing any
animal, and particularly such useful
one Since hogs can he so economically
reared, pork is undoubtedly, after ice,
| the leading Article of food. This is
eaten in every form, and one may say
that every part of the animal is utilized
for food. Horsefesh, yenison, antelope
and bear are often seen. but, in passing
though the markets, pork, mutton and
fowls are the most conspicuous. For
fish the Chinese have an omniyorous
appetite nothing from the water, either
fresh or salt, being rejected. a few
kittens and puppies may be offered for
sale in cages. Those which are intended
for the table are fed upon grain and
clean food ; so that if the nature Of this
food be considered, il is far more whole
some than is the unclean hog. TIC
assert that cats and dogs form staple
article of food is pure fiction.
One may live for years in Chinese
city without seeing rats or mice offered
for sale as food. They are sold foi
medicine; but even for this purpose
they are no. SO easily caught as to. be
cheap The treatment to which the
common people often subject unfortu.
nate rats which have been caught in
the granary initiates strongly against
the notion that these animals are Sc.
lected as choice tid-bits for the table.
Because the rats steal their most prec-
ious article of food, rice, the Chinese
hold that they are criminals of the
deepest dye, and that they merit the
worst kind of torture. Black dogs and
cats are favorites among the super.
stitious natives Of the south. These
animals aiiabIy command a higher
price than others, and are eaten q,
midsummer, in the belief that the meat
insures both health and strength fol
the ensuing year. The blood of all
animals is taken, SO far as concerns
religious scruples, except by Buddhist
priests, by few of the stricter lay.
men, and, of course, by the Moham.
medans. of whom there are quite q
number liz the northern part of the
country.