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SOME OLD RECIPES
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round the table in amazement at all the unheard-of
things happening. The greatest success attends
the uncorking of the Apollinaris bottles. The
bottle is pointed at the onlookers, and the cork
having been loosened it flies into their faces with
a loud report. At first they are greatly alarmed,
then they enjoy the joke hugely, and at last they
all squat on the ground in a circle, and send a
deputy to the table of the foreigners, bearing a
teacup.
The petition is granted, and in the
teacup an exquisite brew is prepared.
The
drainings of all the beer bottles are collected, to
which is added a little claret and a liberal pro
portion of Apollinaris, and then, in order to lend
greater consistency to the beverage, somesausage
skins are mixed with it. The teacup circulates
amongst the Chinese, and each sips it with rever
ential awe. Some of them make fearful grimaces,
but not one has the courage of his opinion, and
it is evident that, on the whole, the drink is,
voted a good one, although, perhaps, its flavour
is somewhat rare."
Next, please. Oh, here is another, about
some neighbours of the Chineses.
"In the Isle Formosa, not far from China,
the Natives make a Drink as strong and intoxi-
cative as Sack, out of Rice, which they soak in
warm water, and then beat it to a paste in a
Mortar ; then they chew some Rice-meal in their
mouths, which they spit to a pot till they have
got about a quart of liquor, which they put to
the paste instead of Leaven or Ferment. And
after all be kneaded together till it be Dough,
they put it into a great earthen pot, which they