Literary Byways Part 9

"Arm, fight, and conquer for England's sake."

was the motto to the toast of "The Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces."

Under the toast of "The Officers of the Club" are words from _Oth.e.l.lo_:--

"We cannot all be masters."

Two good lines from the _Taming of the Shrew_ are given with the toast of "Literature and Science":--

"My books and instruments shall be my company, On them to look and practise by myself."

A line under the toast of "The Press" says, in the words of the _Merchant of Venice_:--

"There are some shrewd contents in your paper."

We have seen on several menu cards:--

"A good digestion to you all, and once more I shower a welcome on you--welcome all."

--_Henry VIII._

A more general quotation (from _Macbeth_) is:--

"Now good digestion wait on appet.i.te, And health on both."

The bill of fare for the Tercentenary Banquet held in 1864, at Stratford-on-Avon, in honour of Shakespeare, is perhaps the best specimen of cuisine literature ever produced. The following are a few of the edibles and the quotations:--

Roast turkey:--

"Why, here comes swelling like a turkey-c.o.c.k."

--_Henry V._

Roast fowls:--

"There is a fowl without a feather."

--_Comedy of Errors._

Ducks:--

"O dainty duck!"--_Midsummer Night's Dream._

Boar's head:--

"Like a full-acorned boar."--_Cymbeline._

York hams:--

"Sweet stem from York's great stock."

--_Henry VI._ (Part I.).

Tongues:--

"Silence is only commendable in a neat's tongue dried."

--_Merchant of Venice._

Mayonnaise of lamb:--

"Was never gentle lamb more mild."--_Richard II._

Braised lamb and beef:--

"What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?

A dish that I love to feed upon."

--_Taming of the Shrew._

Roast lamb:--

"Come you to seek the lamb here?"

--_Measure for Measure._

Lobster and mayonnaise salads:--

"Sallet was born to do me good."--_Henry IV._ (Part II.).

Dressed lobsters and crabs:--

"There's no meat like them: I could wish my best friend at such a feast."--_Timon of Athens._

Desserts, cakes, jellies, and creams:--

"The queen of curds and cream."--_Winter's Tale._

Dressed potatoes:--

"Let the sky rain potatoes."--_Merry Wives of Windsor._

Bitter ale:--

"And here's the pot of good double beer, neighbour: Drink, and fear not your man."--_Henry VI._ (Part II.).

In addition to the foregoing, many interesting and well-chosen quotations appear on the famous bill of fare.

The bill of fare of the Annual Dinner of the Norwich Saint Andrew Society, held in 1896, was headed, "Caird o' Guid Things":--

"KAIL BREE.

Maukin.

c.o.c.kie Leekie.

GUID CALLER FISH.

Sole-fleuks, baned an' stovit.