A GREAT HORSE DINNER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 9

A GREAT HORSE DINNER

■» IN LONDON FIFTY YEAES AGO. Tho scarcity of food just now and the probability that it will bo scarcer still if the war continues much longer nro turning the attention of people to horso flesh as a .substitute for other meets.-On tho Continent of Europe horso (lesh is so utilised quite commonly, but in England and America it is comparatively unknown except "camouflaged" as something else. But, in England, at least, it is not entirely .'unknown in its undisguised form. A recent issuo of the London "Sketch" reminds us that, in ISG7, "Tho Great Horse Dinner" was held. It was given by certain mon who wished to show that the horse was perfectly good as food. Several London notables were present at this strange feast. Tho only substantial food served was horse flesh, done in a. variety of ways, and heralded on tho menu with tho usual impressive Prcncli adjectives. Here is tho menu of "Tho Great Horso Dinner"—"choral," be it remembered, means "horse":— Consomme aux quenelles. Saucisses de Cheval aux I'istnchos. Crcpinettes do Cheval aux Truffos. i'l'i-jre-s crnuiitndcy a In Moelle, Escalopes mix fines herbes. . *Emincee a la. Polonaise. *.Fi)et pique roti a la Poivrade. Culotto de Cheval brnisse aux clioux. Mayonnaises de homard a l'liuiledc Cheval. 'Both of these also horse courses. Tho .committee responsible for the dinner subsequently issued a report, in which it said:— "Tho horse has lonj; been recognised in certain countries, and by.men whose authority on such subjects deserves attention, as fit for human food After the test to which it has been submitted at tho late dinner we are enabled to assert unhesitatingly that horse flesh is fine in texture, tender in quality, and unimpeachable in flavour. An independent opinion expressed by one of the committee may be added, be referring triumphantly to tho 'real test of a good dinner—tho happy state of the digestive organs on the following morning.' One of the finest judges present, moreover, insisted tlin.t ho 'recognised, without shadow of doubt, the taste of flesh often eaten by him before—especially in madeup dishes at the clubs.'"