A NEW INDUSTRY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 287, 13 May 1875, Page 2

A NEW INDUSTRY.

(Pall Mall Budget.) Few readei'S of Fouque’s story of “ Sintram” are likely to have thought that the scene where Sintram finds the Little Master gathering snails does in truth represent a state of things which goes on in our own island. The Little Master asserted his right of snail-hunting, and adds, “snails cannot surely be included in the game which your high mightinesses consider that you alone have a right to pursue.” He also “knew how to prepare from them an excellent highflavoured beverage ;” but most readers are likely to agree with Sintram when he turns away, saying, “ Psha ! I detest such animals. ” If so, they are of a different way of thinking from many thousands of the inhabitants of Bristol, especially those who follow the craft of the glass-blower. The members of that art and mystery find the snails good for the lungs ; whether they are taken as a “beverage” or otherwise is not said. Votaries of the same kind of chase as the Little Master may be seen seeking their game in some of the hedges of Somerset, whence the snails are sent off in bags by railway to the neighbouring city. The snails sell for twopence a hundred, and a diligent hunter may in this way earn six shillings a day, an income which may well make the agricultural labourer’s mouth water. Indeed, it would seem that this movement, like other movements, has put on something of the character of a propaganda. At all events the snail-hunter has a due sense of the dignity of his calling, and looks forward with hope to the day Avhen all men will learn to appreciate his labours. ‘ ‘ Now the Frenchmen have led the way, all the rest will follow suit,” is his enthusiastic prediction. And, as far at least as Bristol is concerned, it seems not to have been rashly hazarded. It is probable, however, that snails have been eaten here and there in England for many generations; and that belief in their medicinal qualities is not uncommon.