THE OYSTER FAMINE IN ENGLAND.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 14 May 1875, Page 4

THE OYSTER FAMINE IN ENGLAND.

Oh the middle-aged Britons few hardships have presssd so severely as the oyster famine. Before the famine, people ate oysters on the slightest provocation—because they met in the streets, because they were not hungry and wanted an appetite, because they had no time for luncheon, because they had been to the theatre, because it was too late to get anything else—finally, because they liked them. The value of oyster eating as; a mere pastime was fully recognised by the late Earl of Carlisle, who, after a lengthened sojourn in the {Jnited States, found himself one fine day on the point of departure homeward with about a quarter of an hour to spare. None of his friends _could suggest any practical application of these fifteen minutes, but Lord Carlisle was. equal to the occasion; he rushed ashore and ate oysters up to the very last moment. Anotner very great admirer of the oyster was the late Professor Wilson. In his grand Homeric style Christopher.: North disdained to speak of dozens, but dealt boldly with hundreds and scores, pecks and bushels, and prescribed'a vast consumption of oysters to those anxious to write for Maga. If not in intellect, at least in oyster eating, the leonine Professor was not without rivals amongst the Southron. Most curious of all oyster eaters was the irrepressible Dando, one in whom the love of oysters was so grandly developed as to stifle all sense of moral responsibility. This great but impecunious man became the terror of oyster vendors. 'Presenting himself at newly opened oyster shops anxiously waiting custom, he would proceed to set the whole oyster opening power of the establishment in operation. Dozen after dozen of delicious natives disappeared down his capacious threat until he had consumed some twenty or thirty dozen, when; fatigued but not yet satisfied, he then confounded the Oysterman with the terrible confession, "I am Dando," whereupon he was^ at once consigned to the care of the police, and while undergoing his alloted term of Sunishment had leisure to sharpen his eathless appetite—,to be shortly wreaked remorselessly on a fresh victim. Fetv occupations are more painful to the gourmand of only moderate means than the perusal of the cookery books of happier days. Profuse notions once prevailed as to the employment of oysters. "Take a couple of hundred oysters," saith the Gamaliel of the cuisine,- "blanch them, bread them, ice." Imagine the Sardanapalus, the Belshazzar, who would not derote a couple of hundred oysters to the preparation of a tureen of soup or to the staffing of a mighty turkey ? The days of cheap oysters are over. The friend of our youth has hioome the rare companion of middle age, and when met with at all serves as the fitting herald to a costly banquet, and is accompanied, not by humble porter, but By Chablis and Hock, Sauterne .or Still Moselle —for, as a luncheon, oysters are now unhappily dearer than turtle.—Exchange.