STILTON CHEESE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3858, 28 November 1883, Page 4

STILTON CHEESE.

The way in which Stilton cheese became popular is exceedingly curious. Stilton is the name of a village in Huntingdonshire, near to AA'hich formerly ran the great north road from London to Edinburgh. In the early part of the last century there stood in the vicinity of the village a celebrated wayside inn, called The Bell, kept by a well-knoAvn host named CoAvper Thornhill. Cbwper Thornhill was a man of considerable influence and of gentlemanly _ manners, who, in addition to being an innkeeper, was an extensive corn factor. Ho Avas the beau ideal of a cheery, jolly, intelligent, and respectable publican—specimens of Avhich Avere not frequently mot with in the old posting and stage-coaching days. On this account he ivas greatly respected by his guests, and Avas generally called upon to presido at tho table d'hote. The popularity of the landlord gave increased attraction to the inn. About this timo it happened that a Mrs PaAvlett, of Wymondham, near Melton, had succeeded in producing cheese of remarkable quality, very superior to anything hitherto knoAvn in tho way of cheese. CoAvper Thornhill, Avho had friends in tho neighborhood, visited tho locality, when this cheese was brought under his notice. Being struck with tho richness of its quality .and flavour, he took some of it to Stilton, and introduced it to his customers. These included many of tho nobility and gentry, aa'lio, in days AA'hen railways Avoro unknown, used to "post" their journeys, and Avere wont to dine at Thornhill's cosy hostelry. _ Among tho g-uosts Avero many commercial travellers, who, Avith tho " upper ten," wero delighted with tlic Avondrous flavour of their host's neAV cheese, and avlio spread its fame far and Avide. To such an extent was this carried that it was no unusual thing to hear, ccores of miles aAvay from Stilton, the inquiry, "Have you been to Stilton lately and had a taste of Thornhill's cheese P" Finding that the cheese became so popular, CoAvper Thornhill entered into a contract with Mrs PaAvlett, by which he secured an exclusive right to bo regularly supplied with it, at tlic samo timo keeping the placo of its manufacture a profound secret. In this Avay Mrs PaAvlctt's cheese not only became immensely popular, but it at tlic same time received tho name of " Stilton." Curtis, in his history of Leicestershire, Ba yg —" Although this county has acquired no national tame, like Cheshiro and Gloucestershire, for the excellence of its cheese, it stands, nevertheless, both as regard its superior quality and tho highest price, the first in the kingdom—perhaps in the Avorld. Many of its best dairies fetch equal prices with the higher qualities of those districts. This only puts it upon an equality. But it is in this county that the truly English Parmesan, called Stilton cheese, Avas first made, and continues to bo a standard article of production. This far-famed delicacy is to bo found at the tables of the highest ranks, and when of tlic best quality and in the highest state of perfection independent of its exquisite relish, it probably contains the greatest concentration, of nutriment of any artificial preparation of food.''—Chester Chronicle.