Evening star., 1917-01-21
Concerning the Mundane Egg of Unusual High Price

TN the past, II seems, the ma aiority OF
people attached a certain definite
q Importance to eggs merely because
they are substantial article of food
and very necessary to ones diet.
But now, with eggs nearly in the dia-
Iuond class, so to speak, the mundane
egg becomes an object OF awe, at least,
il not of downright reverence. Where
fore few facts about king egg"
should be of interest. As yet no ingen-
ious Individual has found a thoroughly
satisfactory egg substitute. One need
rot be we'll paid chef in an up-to- date
culinary department to appreciate the
value of eggs and the impossibiltty OF
dispensing with them.
To hear il rumored that they ina y
soar upward in price causes a small!
panic in many modest households, and
q hen /, is hinted that the helpless con-
suMer may be asked 10 pay 5 l a dozen,
bs may well believe ancient tales of
eggs, and that they were indeed held
precious.
Az ono tine in the history Of the
world the egg WIS held invio!ably sa-
cred and as wholly worthy OF sacrifice
WIKI the Phoenicians originated the
tale OF the mundane egg. This ancient
people held thar the div Inc spirit made
=
from this egs the worIC was hatched.
later races-Egyptians. Hindus. Japa-
nsse-an taught that IN this manner
the world came into existence. Tho
Greek Orp!seus. in whose name was
founded about $50 Z. c. the mystic
brotherhood devoted to prayer and na-
fure. is said TO have told OF the mum
Dane egg.
The Druids maintained that an egg
was hatched by n number Of serpeuts
Snd was eventually buoved into the air
b. their Kissing. They further believed
that the person who caught This eg =
was Obliged 10 gallop or Al fun speed
40 escape being stung 10 death. but he
into whose possession the egg had come
then had the power TO successfully
combat any opponent in an armed con
rict and would inevitably be courted by
the great and the powerful. Piny has
been named as one OF the fortuuat. few
vino had caught the serpent's egg which
gesenbled an apple in size.
Frequent mention OF eggs is made in
ali mythologies. Divers forms OF the
following legend appear and reappear.
For instance. on a mighty waste of
waters an enormous bird deposited an
esg. and from this esq the earth
sprang. Among the Persians, the Ga ais,
the Greeks and the Romans the egg
was regarded as embiematic OF the uni
verse. and was sincerely looked upon
rs the work of a divine being.
From this egg fire also proceeded,
and from this the Greek derived Vul
can. the god of fire. the husband of
Venus. who was goddess of beauty.
There came a time In the development
OF Grectan history when the philoso-
pliers forbade the people 10 eat eggs
because they were believed to contain
fn tue lifegiv.rg elementS-the shell
stood for the earth. the whites for
water and the yolks for fire. The mod
e-n Greek churches at the present day
do not permit the use OF eggs in Lent.
Mofammedans built their mosques
with don1es Of unusual shapes. which
we're supposed to bear some resen.-
biance TO the egg, serving as q con-
ss.nt reminder Of their garry egg wor-
!, s. -.
10 holy ceremony among the ancient
1.Ol1lstLg was complete WITHOUT the eggs.
which played a prominent part In the
rites OF Bscchu:, and also in expfation.