Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-17
FOODS OF CHINESE.

Some Common Errors as to Meats.
The CUISINE of the Chinese and the
mode and ceremonies attending their
feasts have done much to give them Il
somewhat extraordinary reputation.
lobe-trotters, striving to make their
letters brilliant and their books SEN
satlonal. have told such wonderful
tales of birdnest soup, canine hams,
grimalkin fricassees, rats, snakes,
worms and other culinary novelties.
served up i'll such marvellous styles and
eaten with such apparent relish, that
their readers naturally take it for
granted that these things form q large
proportion OF the food OF the people of
China.
Generally speaking. the diet OF the
Chinese is sufficient In variety, whole
some and well-coolted, even ir their
methods are essentially different from
our own Doubtless many of the dishes
arc found extremely unpalatable TO
Americans, because OF the quantity of
nut oil used and by reason of the pun
gent flavor of the large amount Of gar
lie introduced. In the latter respect,
however. the dishes of Southern Eu-
rope are equally objectionable AS 10
the assortment OF food, it has been said
that there is u wider difference. per-
maps, between the rich and the poor of
China than of any other country.
1t is probably true that the Chinese
uoS eI 6icSiteT variety OIL meats tnQn do
the people OF other countries, although
but little land is set apart for grazing
or FOR the cultivation of food for live
stock. Beef is not u common meat,
principally because OF the Buddhistic
prejudice against killing any animal.
and particularly such useful one.
Since hogs can be SO economically
raised. pork is undoubtedly, after rice,
the leading article of food. This is
eaten in every form, and one may say
mat every part OF the animal is utiI-
ized for food. Horsenesh, venison, an
teiope and bear are often seen, but in
passing through the market pork NUT
ton ana fowls are the most conspicuous
For fish the Chinese have an omnivor
GUS appetite, nothing from the water,
either fresh or salt, being rejected. A
lew kittens and puppies may be offered
for sale in cages Those which are in
tended for the table are fed upon grain
and clean food; so that, ii the nature of
TINS rood be considered, it is far more
wholesome than is the unclean hog. To
assert that cats and dogs from a. STAPLE
article OF food is pure fiction
one may live for years in Il Chinese
city without seeing rats or mice offer
Ell FOR sale as food. They are sold for
medicine; but even for this purpose
they are not 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 rs choice tid-bits for the table.
Because the rats steal their most pre-
cious 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 most SUI
perstitious natives of the South. These
animals invariably command higher
price than others. and are eaten at mid
summer, In the belief that the meat in
sures both health and strength for 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-laymen, and.
of course, by the Mohammedans. of
whom there are quite number in the
northern part OF the country.